You knew your baby would cry. But did you know how frustrating crying can become? What do you do when you have tried everything you could think of to comfort him and nothing worked? A crying baby can be frustrating but no one thinks they will shake their infant. Research confirms what Marilyn Barr, Founder and Executive Director of the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome, says, “Frustration with a baby’s crying is the number one trigger for shaking, and the stress of handling a crying baby can seem overwhelming.” Hospitals and organizations nationwide are responding by educating parents about the period of “purple” crying, a stage when normal, perfectly healthy babies can cry for five hours a day or more. Babies sometimes need to cry even when nothing is wrong since crying is the only way they have to tell you if they are hungry, sad, or uncomfortable. Some parents will automatically interpret the sound of the cry and know what to do. But they, too, can be overwhelmed during a sleepless night of crying.
Shaken Baby Syndrome is defined as “Brain injuries that result from vigorous shaking of an infant or young child held by the chest, shoulders, or extremities causing extreme rotational cranial acceleration. It is characterized by the intracranial and intraocular hemorrhages with no evidence of external trauma. Serious cases may result in death.” It is the most severe form of child abuse and accounts for the majority of severe head injuries in children less than one year old.
Statistics show that one shaken baby in 4 dies. Some studies estimate that 15% of children’s deaths are due to battering or shaking, and an additional 15% are possible cases of shaking. More than 60% of the victims are male. Natural parents are 50% of offenders; 17% are non-relatives; 17% are mother’s boyfriend; 6% are step parents; 10% other. Almost 60% of the perpetrators are male. The median age of acute admission to hospitals is 2.2 months. Cases are more common in urban regions and in autumn and winter months. The condition has 15 – 35% mortality rate with half of the survivors suffering permanent neurological damage leading to blindness, seizures, development delays and spasticity.
This type of trauma is being addressed by hospital-based parent education programs on Shaken Baby Syndrome. Since 2000 statewide legislative mandates have been adopted by a series of children’s hospitals in 12 states: Utah, Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, South Carolina and Massachusetts. In 2006, the Massachusetts Department of Health was one of the first of the 12 states to have a legislative mandate for such programs and has achieved an impressive 50% reduction in abusive head injuries. The Massachusetts Department of Health instituted a pilot program in 2010 to prevent “shaken baby” by utilizing baby carriers to promote dads bonding with their babies. Classes are held with five groups throughout the state.
The Upstate New York SBS Education program began in December 1998 and was enacted into law in 2004, and involves 17 counties. Over seven years, their program has also resulted in a sustained 50% reduction in abusive head injuries in the region. Educational materials are provided to both parents at the birth of every child in the region, asking them to sign a commitment statement that affirms their receipt and understanding of the material. All hospitals in the combined 17 counties are participating and there have been over 120,000 statements returned by 2010. The SBS education program is now in partnership with pediatric care providers in the 17 counties that involves additional materials provided at the first doctor’s visit.
The program is now serving as a model of prevention for numerous other programs worldwide. It was presented at a conference in Auckland, New Zealand where a version of the program is being implemented for their entire country.
When the American economy began to struggle, additional stressors appeared for families. A study was conducted by a group of researchers at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburg that showed a relationship between the weakening economy and the rise of incidents of shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma. Data recorded from four Hospitals (in Pittsburg, PA; Cincinnati, OH; Columbus, OH and Seattle, WA) between January 2004 and June 2009 show that the number of cases rose from 4.8 per month prior to Dec. 1, 2007 (defined as the start of the recession) to 9.3 after that date. Marilyn Barr said, “The results of the study are very concerning and highlight the need for increased prevention efforts during times of economic hardship. Frustration with a baby’s crying is the number one trigger for shaking and the stress of handling a crying infant can be overwhelming.”
Here are some ways to help your baby:
- If you haven’t purchased a baby carrier, you might want to. Research shows that
the more a baby is held and carried, the less the baby will cry and fuss. One study found by 43% during the day and 51% at night. - Check to see if your baby is hungry, too hot or too cold, or needs a diaper change.
- Check to see if your baby is sick or has a fever.
- Feed your baby slowly and burp often.
- Touch your baby, skin- to-skin contact will help soothe and relax both you and your baby.
- While sitting, lie your baby face down across your knees and gently pat or rub its back.
- Use a rocking chair, a good old time remedy.
- Swaddle your baby in a soft blanket.
- Play soft music, sing or hum a lullaby to your baby.
- Take your baby for a ride in the stroller or car.
“Take a Break, Don’t Shake” can prevent this severe form of physical child abuse.
It is okay to place your baby in a safe spot, if it will just not stop crying, and leave it to cry while you take a break. Once you have relaxed for 5-10 minutes you will feel better and can go back to trying to soothe your baby.
Inconsolable crying is a normal developmental behavior in infants. The problem is not the crying; it’s how caregivers respond to it. Shaking is never an appropriate response. Everyone from caregivers to bystanders can do something to prevent SBS.
