Shaken Baby Syndrome

Take a Break, NEVER Shake

As a new parent, you want to know all the ways you can keep your baby safe. Southeast Georgia Health System is here to help. We’ll provide you with important information and support you can use to prevent risks to your child’s health and well-being, including shaken baby syndrome. Take a few minutes to learn about shaken baby syndrome and the simple steps you and other caregivers can take to avoid it.

What is shaken baby syndrome?

Shaken baby syndome is the abusive head trauma and inflicted traumatic brain injury that results from violently shaking an infant, not normal play. It can cause bleeding within an infant’s brain or eyes and lead to death, mental retardation, developmental delays, cerebral palsy, severe motor dysfunction, blindness and/or seizures. Shaken baby syndrome is the leading cause of child abuse deaths in the United States: 1 in 4 victims die and others have serious, long-term health consequences. Inconsolable or frequent crying is the most common trigger for a person to cause shaken baby syndrome, but it is completely preventable.

What are the signs of shaken baby syndrome?

Convulsions or seizures
Inability to be awakened
Inability to be consoled
Inability to nurse or eat
Increasing irritability
Loss of consciousness
Significant change in sleeping patterns
Uncontrollable crying
Unresponsiveness
Vomiting

What are parent/caregiver risk factors?

Feelings of inadequacy, isolation or depression
Frustration resulting from an infant’s crying
Limited anger management/ coping skills
Limited social support
Low socioeconomic status
Neglect or abuse in childhood
Rigid attitudes and impulsivity
Tiredness
Unrealistic expectations about child development/child rearing
Unstable family environment
Victim or witness of intimate partner violence
Young parental age

How can you prevent shaken baby syndrome?

Remind yourself that...

Crying is a normal form of communication in infants.
Babies cry most between 2 and 4 months. Prolonged, inconsolable crying generally lessens when babies are around 5 months old.
You are not a bad parent if your baby continues to cry after your attempts to calm and soothe. It will get better!

When your baby cries, you can...

Check to see if your baby needs a diaper change, diaper cream or change of clothes.
Try feeding or burping your baby.
Rock, pat, walk, or talk and sing to your baby.
Put your baby in a stroller for a walk or a safe car seat for a drive.
Call the doctor if you think your baby may be ill.
Remind yourself that you are not a bad parent/caregiver.

If you feel frustrated, angry or stressed when caring for your baby...

Call a friend, relative, neighbor or a parent helpline for support.
Put your baby in a crib on their back, make sure the baby is safe and then walk away for a while, checking in every 5 or 10 minutes.
See a health care professional if you or another caregiver has anger management/ behavioral concerns.

Crying is normal for infants. Shaking or otherwise hurting a baby out of frustration is never an appropriate response. It is child abuse. To learn more, contact the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome by calling 801-447-9360 or visiting dontshake.org.