Pregnancy & Infancy
Shaken Baby Syndrome
Apr/May 2003

Put the baby down until you calm down

Patrick’s Mom drove her toddler to day care and he smiled at her when she kissed him goodbye. A year and a half passed before Patrick smiled again, because that day Patrick was forcefully shaken by a childcare worker. Patrick is one of the 1,500 children who are victims of Shaken Baby Syndrome (S.B.S.) each year. S.B.S. is a form of child abuse, and happens when a parent or caregiver, frustrated by a baby’s inconsolable crying or other behavior, loses control and shakes a baby. Young babies are particularly vulnerable, because their heads are large in relation to their weak neck muscles, and their brains are not fully developed. Shaking damages a baby’s brain, and can cause blindness and developmental delays (as in Patrick’s case), paralysis, and even death.

Who might shake a baby, and why? Fathers and boyfriends, followed by caregivers and babysitters, are the most likely to shake a baby, but it can happen to anyone who reaches the breaking point due to fatigue, frustration, or lack of knowledge about baby care. The main trigger for shaking is a baby’s persistent crying. To avoid the tragedy of S.B.S., all caregivers need to know that crying does not mean a baby is angry or that the caregiver is not doing a good job. Rather, crying is the way babies communicate.

Caregivers should learn as many ways as possible to attempt to soothe a crying baby, such as slowly feeding, offering a pacifier, taking a walk or ride in the car, checking for illness (and calling a health care provider) or simply holding. They must also accept that even the best of caregivers can’t always figure out what is making baby cry. Sometimes it is best to simply put baby in a safe place (such as a crib), and leave the room for a short period. Call a friend, listen to music, or splash water on your face.
Parents need to give careful thought to choosing who cares for their child, and make sure that the caregiver is properly prepared (see “Baby Sitters and Shaken Baby Syndrome”). The caregiver should know that she can call you if she ever feels unable to handle your child, and you will respond immediately.

The Athens Area Child Abuse Prevention Council, in partnership with ConAgra Foods and the Junior League of Athens, are collaborating to raise public awareness of Shaken Baby Syndrome and how it can be prevented. During April (Child Abuse Prevention Month), these groups will attempt to educate our community through billboards, distribution of pamphlets and videos, and presentations to community groups. The purposes of this campaign are to: educate caregivers about why babies cry, and how to console babies; alert parents and caregivers to the serious dangers of forcefully shaking a baby; remind parents about carefully choosing who cares for their child; and, refer parents to helpful community resources.

Remember, NEVER SHAKE A BABY.

Careful screening of baby sitters may reduce the possibility of injury to your child

Who will be taking care of your baby?

• Is the person you hire the only person who will be present?
• Will care of your baby ever be delegated to another adult or child?

• Is the sitter old enough and mature enough to manage alone?
• Does the sitter know how to maintain a safe environment?
• Has the sitter taken any child care courses?
• Is the sitter “rough” with siblings?

Important things to know about your baby sitter

• Does your sitter have personal problems?
• Does she have experience with children the age of your child?
• How was the sitter disciplined when she was the age of your child?

• Does the sitter understand the limitations (physical, emotional, and cognitive) of babies and children?
• Is your baby expected to sleep and eat at specific times?
• Is your baby expected to be quiet, obedient, easy to please?

Have you checked on this?

• Have you seen where your baby will eat...sleep...play?
• Have you talked to other parents who have used her as a babysitter?
• Have you checked out all her references?
• Have you asked her “what it is like” for her to work as a babysitter (frustrations, what she likes or dislikes about the job?)

Baby sitter attitudes

• Does your sitter like/have a general interest in children?
• Does your sitter like children the age of YOUR child?
• Does your sitter play with and pay attention to your child?
• Does the sitter speak about your child with pride and pleasure?

What will your sitter do when:

• Baby is fussy or won’t go to sleep.
• Baby is upset when you leave.
• Baby cries hard for a long time.

Have you prepared your sitter?

• Tell her to call you immediately if she feels unable to handle your child.
• Tell her to NEVER SHAKE A BABY