Have a plan
I will call the following people when I get frustrated…
My Support network:
1.________________________________________
(name)
(phone #)
2.________________________________________
(name)
(phone #)
3.________________________________________
(name)
(phone #)
I will take the following steps when I get frustrated…
My Plan:
1.
4.
2.
5.
3.
6.
Don’t Shake the Baby!
A Lesson on Shaken Baby Syndrome
Playgroup # 15
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Materials Needed
Pens and pencils for each mother in your playgroup.
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Introduction
Handouts
Have a Plan
worksheet
One Shake Can Last a
Lifetime
Start your playgroup by having a discussion. Ask the mothers in your group what they do
when they are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or frustrated with their baby and children.
Make a list of the various techniques the mothers use. Encourage the mothers to use this as
practical advice for dealing with their own infants and children when they are feeling
overwhelmed.
Lesson Plan
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Lesson Objectives
Know what Shaken Baby Syndrome is
Know common injuries and symptoms related to Shaken Baby Syndrome
Understand how to prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome
What is Shaken Baby Syndrome?
Syndrome ?
Shaken Baby Syndrome is a type of inflicted traumatic brain injury in babies. Injury occurs
when the baby is violently shaken. Because babies have weak neck muscles and large
heads, babies cannot steady their head when shaken. The baby’s brain bounces back and
forth inside the skull which causes bruising, swelling, and bleeding. This can result in
permanent brain injury or death.
Almost 25% of babies with Shaken Baby Syndrome die. Between 25% and 50% of parents
and caretakers aren’t aware of the serious consequences of shaking a baby. Shaken Baby
Syndrome is more likely to occur when there is a live-in boyfriend in the home, when the
baby is between 0-6 months of age, or if the baby has a history of colic or inconsolable
crying. Shaken Baby Syndrome is usually seen in children under the age of 2 but may be
seen in children up to the age of 5.
What Injuries Occur When a Baby is Violently Shaken?
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Subdural hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain) which creates pressure in the brain
Retinal hemorrhage (bleeding of the retina behind the eye) which can lead to
blindness
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Veins feeding the brain are torn away leading to brain damage. This can result in
learning disabilities, physical disabilities, visual disabilities, speech disabilities,
and seizures.
Damage to the spinal cord and neck
Fractures of ribs and bones
What are Symptoms of Shaken Baby
Baby Syndrome?
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Extreme irritability
Lethargy
Poor feeding
Breathing problems
Convulsions
Vomiting
Pale or bluish skin
How can Shaken Baby Syndrome be Prevented?
Most often, babies are shaken because parents become angry, frustrated, and lose their
tempers. Crying is the number one reason a baby is shaken. Remember crying does not
harm the baby and is the only way that your baby can communicate his needs. When a baby
is crying, parents can try to:
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Feed the baby slowly and burp the baby often.
Offer a pacifier.
Hold the baby against your chest and walk or rock the baby.
Change the baby’s diaper.
Hug and cuddle the baby gently.
Run a vacuum cleaner within hearing range of the infant.
Take the baby for a ride in a stroller or car.
Place the baby in a baby swing.
Count to 10 when angry or frustrated. Take slow, deep breaths.
Ask someone else to care for the baby and take a break.
Be patient.
Call for help when you are upset.
Play soft music or go outside if weather permits.
Call health care provider. If the baby continues to cry for a long period of time, he
may need medical attention.
Activity
It is important to have a plan in place for when you get frustrated with your children. Have
the mothers think of ways that they can plan on handling their frustration. Next, give each
mother a copy of the “Have a Plan” worksheet and have them write down their plan.
Suggested Reading
What Happened to Christopher: An American Family's Story of Shaken Baby Syndrome
by Ann-Janine Morey
References
Foundations for the Prevention of Child Abuse (n.d.). Fact sheet: Shaken baby syndrome.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2007). NINDS shaken baby
syndrome information page. Retrieved on March 27, 2008, from
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/shakenbaby/shakenbaby.htm
shaken baby brochure REV 5-02
5/14/02
3:18 PM
Page 1
You’ve tried everything
and the baby still cries…
Dedicated to the memory of
Kimberlin and thousands of other infants
and children whose lives
were forever changed by shaking.
One Shake
Can Last
a Lifetime.
Never, Never, Never Shake a Baby.
Place the baby in a safe place, like a crib,
and leave the room for a few minutes
Sit down, close your eyes and take 20 deep breaths
Relax!
Exercise
Play music
For help, professional assistance is available.
Call 1-800-FLA-LOVE or
the Family Health Line at 1-800-451-2229.
Call a friend or relative
Take a shower or bath
Shake a rug
Hug a pillow
Have a cool drink
Visit the Florida Department of Health website
for more information on this and many other health topics at:
www.doh.state.fl.us
Read a book
Think about how much you really love your baby and
wouldn’t want to do anything to hurt him/her
Ask a trusted friend or relative to take care
of the baby for a little while
Call a counselor who can help at
1-800-FLA-LOVE, or 1-800-451-2229.
Don’t pick your baby up again until you feel calm
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT
DH 150-285, 5-02
5730-285-0150-9
OF
H E A LT H
Never, Never, Never
Shake a Baby
shaken baby brochure REV 5-02
5/14/02
3:18 PM
Page 4
“I just wanted the baby to stop crying. I only shook him a few seconds. But
Did You Know?
• Shaking a baby or young child can cause problems that
could last the rest of a child’s life.
• Shaking a baby may result in severe injury or death.
he’ll be blind for a lifetime.”
Shaking a Baby or Young
Child Can Cause:
• Permanent brain damage
Coping with a Crying Baby
Babies cry for a variety of reasons. Crying is the only way a
baby can tell you something is wrong. Try to find the reason
why the baby is crying.
• Paralysis
• Make sure the baby has dry diaper
• Blindness
• Make sure the baby is not too hot or too cold
• Young males who take care of a baby alone are most at
risk to shake a baby.
• Seizures
• Check for signs of illness or discomfort, such as diaper
rash, teething, tight clothing
• Delay in normal development
• Try feeding or burping the baby
• Much of the general public does not know the dangers of
shaking a baby.
• Broken bones
• Soothe the baby by lightly rubbing its back
• DEATH
• Gently rock the baby
• Crying is the most frequent event that causes the shaking
of a baby.
• Take the baby for a walk in a stroller
• Shaken Baby Syndrome is 100% preventable.
What Can You Do?
• Make sure those caring for your child or other young
children know the dangers of shaking a baby
• Be careful during play or any physical activity with
your baby
• Never, Never, Never Shake a Baby!
• Take the baby for a drive in a car seat
• After immunizations, be sure the baby is comfortable and
give recommended medications
• Call the doctor if you think the baby is sick
Sometimes babies just need attention. BE PATIENT. Remember,
taking care of a small baby is a big job. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed in the situation. It’s all right to feel frustrated with a
crying child. IT’S NOT ALL RIGHT TO SHAKE A CHILD TO
STOP THE CRYING. You may stop the crying, but also change
the child’s (and your) life forever in just one moment of
uncontrolled frustration.