preventing shaken baby syndrome/ abusive head trauma · the 5 s’s of soothing your baby*: ... »...
TRANSCRIPT
Helping parents find ways to cope withcrying and understand the long-term
effects of shaking an infant.
Never Ever Shake a Baby
http://cdss.ca.gov/Inforesources/OCAP
PUB 271 (2/17)
ResourcesGet Help Now!
CHILDHELP NATIONAL ABUSE
HOTLINE.
This is a free, confidential, 24/7
counseling & crisis line for parents
(800) 4-A-CHILD / (800) 422-4453
http://www.childhelp.org/hotline
Other ResourcesNational Center on
Shaken Baby Syndrome
http://www.dontshake.org
Do Your Homework BeforeChoosing a Care Provider
It’s important that you ask yourself thefollowing questions when carefullyconsidering a caregiver for your child:» Does this person have a history of violence?
» Will this person become frustrated or angryif my baby cries?
» Have I told this person that a baby shouldnever be shaken?
» Is this person good with babies?
» Has this person had children removed fromhis or her care because he or she wasunable to care for them?
» Does this person know to call someoneimmediately if they become frustrated whilecaring for the baby?
» Did I find this person from someone I know?
» Does this person abuse alcohol or drugs?
Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma
To care for your baby, you need tocare for yourself.
For more INFORMATION call TRUSTLINECalifornia’s Background Check for In-Home
Child Care at (800) 822-8490 or visithttp://www.trustline.org
The Office of Child Abuse PreventionCALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Why do babies cry? Babies cry becauseit’s the only way theyknow how to expresstheir wants andneeds. They cry to letyou know that theyare:» Hungry» Thirsty» Tired» Hot» Cold» Not feeling well» Need a diaper
change» Uncomfortable» Teething» Scared
How to calm yourcrying baby:Check and tend tophysical needs. Isyour baby:» Hungry» Thirsty» Hot» Cold
Does your baby:» Need to be
burped» Need a diaper
change» Have something
wrapped aroundhis/her finger ortoe, causing thempain (hairtourniquet)
Seek immediate or urgent medical care if you notice any of the listed signs.
The 5 S’s of soothingyour baby*:» Swaddling and
laying your babyon its back
» Side or stomachposition iscomfortable foryour baby whileyou are holdinghim/her
» Sounds like yourvoice, soft musicor white noise canbe soothing toyour baby
» Swinging yourbaby gently inyour arms or arocker
» Sucking on apacifier or feedingcan help calmyour baby
Have a Plan:Knowing what to dowhen your baby iscrying can helpreduce your stresslevel.
Try to keep a dailyroutine:» Eat healthy and
drink plenty ofwater
» Get as much restas possible
» Create a solidsupport systemfor your family
» Do something foryourself everyday
What is Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive HeadTrauma?This is a serious brain injury from enduring bluntimpact to the head or being forcefully shaken.When a baby is shaken, the brain is at serious riskfor trauma caused by movement in the skull.
The most common trigger leading to abusive headtrauma is inconsolable crying. Babies less than oneyear old are at greatest risk of injury from abusivehead trauma.
Signs your babymay have beenshaken:» Rigidity» Seizures» Lethargy» Vomiting» Coma» Difficulty breathing» Dilated pupils» Blood spot in eyes
Shaking a babycan cause:» Brain damage» Blindness» Spinal injuries» Paralysis» Seizures» Learning and
behaviorproblems
» In extreme cases,death
To care for your baby,you need to care for yourself.
» If you are getting upset or losing control,focus on calming yourself down. Put thebaby in a safe place and walk away tocalm down, checking on the baby every5 to 10 minutes.
» Call a friend, relative, neighbor, or parenthelpline for support.
» Remember that caring for a crying babycan be very frustrating, but infant cryingis normal and it will get better.
» Be sensitive and supportive in situationswhen other parents are trying to calm acrying baby.
*as developed by Dr. Harvey Karp