Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention for High
Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS)
Prevention for high school students
Let’s see what we know so far
All babies cry
• Crying is normal.
• Babies cry for many reasons.
• ALL babies will have times when they CANNOT stop crying.
What is colic?
• “Colic” suggests intestinal distress
• Is something medically wrong with the baby?
• Is the baby in pain?
• Does “infant colic” simply refer to a baby that cries a lot?
The amount of normal infant crying
• Changes over time
• Varies among normally-developing babies
Adapted from the NCSBS and Ronald G. Barr, MDCM
The period of PURPLE crying
P eak pattern
U npredictable
R esistant to soothing
P ain-like face
L ong bouts
E vening cry
From the NCSBS and Ronald G. Barr, MDCM
Same baby ─ same day
The crying game
Soothing an irritable baby
• Feed baby slowly and burp baby often.
• Make baby as comfortable as possible, for example, check temperature and diaper.
• Provide gentle motion or relaxing sound.
• Is baby hungry? Thirsty?
Bored? Anxious? Sleepy?
• Understand that all babies have times when they cannot stop crying.
Difficult developmental phases
•Night crying
•Separation anxiety
•Exploratory behavior
•Negativism
•Loss of appetite
•Toilet training
A tired, frustrated caregiver and a crying baby can be a deadly combination leading a parent or other caregiver to shake a baby in a moment of frustration.
Elijah’s Story
Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS)
What is it?
SBS is a medical term used to describe the injuries that can result if a baby is violently shaken.
Violent shaking is one of the most devastating forms of child abuse.
Head movement during shaking
Brain movement inside the skull
Signs that a baby has been shaken
• Broken bones
• Unusual crying
• Sleepiness
• Pale or bluish skin
• Vomiting or refusing to eat
• Not breathing
• Unconscious
What are the long term results?
Even with prompt medical attention 1 of 4 infants dies.
Those who survive may have lifelong medical conditions:
•Blindness
• Paralysis
• Deafness
• Learning disabilities
•Coordination problems
•Developmental disabilities
• Seizures
Risk factors for being a victim
• Age
• Gender
• Greater demands for care, for example illness, pre-maturity, or other special needs of some kind
Who would shake a baby?
Anyone, but some people are more at risk:
• Late teens and early 20s
• Males
• Inexperience with babies
• People with other risk factors – drug and alcohol use, mental illness, high stress, lack of self-control
Rate the Risk
Calculator
The families - - - -
Remember the Rule of
• Lay the baby on his back in his crib or another safe place.
• Stay feet or more away.
• Slowly count to or take deep breaths to calm yourself down.
• After minutes, check on the baby
• Repeat if necessary.
• If you still feel stressed, call someone for help.
It’s okay to ask for help
Have the phone numbers of people who can help when the crying is too much.
Someone who can come over right away and help like a family member or friend
The baby’s doctor, or nurse helpline
Local community resources
My pledge
This hand will never harm a baby
Pass the message on
This material was developed by the
SBS Prevention K12 curriculum team
• Susan Abbey – Children’s Trust Fund
• Pamela Anderson – Middleton School
District
• Anne Haverland – Oshkosh School District
• Nancy Graese – CESA 11
• Nancy Merwin – Cuba City School District
• Sue Mokler – Ripon School District
• Wendi Schreiter – Wisconsin Shaken Baby
Association
Copyright © Children’s Trust Fund of Wisconsin
