SHAKEN BABY
SYNDROME
• Most of the time,
SHAKEN BABY
SYNDROME occurs when
adults, frustrated and
angry with children,
shake them violently. If
you are a parent or ever
care for a baby, it is
important to know the
dangers of shaking a
baby.
WHY IS SHAKING A DANGER?
• A baby’s neck is too weak to support their heavy
head. So when shaken, their head flops back and
forth, causing serious brain injury.
• When a baby is shaken , the brain ricochets
about their skull, causing blood vessels to tear
away and blood to pool inside their skull causing
damage to the brain.
STATISTTICS
• One in four babies that are victims of
SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME die.
• The average age for a victim of SHAKEN
BABY SYNDROME is 6 months.
• More than 60% of the victims of SHAKEN
BABY SYNDROME are male
• Almost 80% of the perpetrators of
SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME are male
WHY DOES SHAKEN BABY
SYNDROME OCCUR?
• An infant may spend 2-3 hours a day crying, and
the caregiver momentarily succumbs to the
frustration of responding to a crying baby.
• Caregivers may be inadequately prepared for
children.
• The caregiver personalizes the infant’s crying as
inadequate care-giving.
WAYS TO SOOTHE A
CRYING BABY
• Take the baby for a walk outside in a
stroller or for a ride in the car seat.
• Hold the baby against your chest and
gently massage the baby.
• Rock, walk or dance with the baby.
• Lower any surrounding noise and lights
• Offer a pacifier.
• Sing or talk to the baby
using soothing tones.
IF YOU CANNOT SOOTHE
THE BABY…..
• Be patient; take a
deep breath and
count to ten.
• Call a friend or
relative that you trust
to take over for a
while, then get away,
get some rest, take
care of yourself.
IF ALL ELSE FAILS….
• Call a doctor.
The baby my be
sick, or have
swollen gums,
or some other
ailment that you
cannot see.
TOGETHER WE CAN FIGHT SHAKEN
BABY SYNDROME!
THE UNIVERSAL CHILD ABUSE
PREVENTION PROGRAM
is brought to you by:
ACCESS/STAR PROGRAM
804 S. MAIN ST.
JACKSONVILLE, TEXAS 75766
(903)586-3175
www.accessmhmr.org
AND LINK TO THE STAR PROGRAM
FUNDED BY:
THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE
SERVICES
TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE CALL:
1-800252-5400
Or https://reportabuse.ws