SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME
Babies cry, they cry loudly, and often. Fussy babies can cry for extended periods of time. On occasion, a parent or caregiver can become very frustrated or even angry when the baby will not stop crying. When a person severely shakes the baby or toddler it can cause Shaken Baby Syndrome. (SBS)
SBS is caused when the baby is forcefully shaken. As adults, we cradle the baby’s head and support it when handling the baby. That is because babies are born with very weak head and neck muscles and often cannot support their heads. When a baby is shaken with force, his or her brain moves back and forth inside the skull, causing bruising, swelling and bleeding. This impact often keeps oxygen from the brain cells, and kills the brain cells. SBS is not usually caused by gently bouncing baby on your knee, or even from a fall off furniture.
Here are symptoms you should look for:
• Extreme fussiness or irritability
• Difficulty staying awake
• Breathing problems
• Poor eating
• Vomiting
• Pale or bluish skin
• Seizures or tremors
• Paralysis
• Coma
• Trouble sucking
• No smiling or talking
• A larger than usual head or forehead
• Different size pupils
• Not being able to focus
• Favoring one arm or leg over another
• Bruises on arms or legs where they baby may have been grabbed
Occasionally there may be symptoms that are not apparent like bleeding of the brain. In mild cases of SBS, a child may appear normal after being shaken, but over time he or she may develop health or behavioral problems.
Survivors of shaken baby syndrome may require lifelong medical care for conditions such as:
• Partial or total blindness
• Developmental delays, learning problems or behavior issues
• Intellectual disability
• Seizure disorders
• Cerebral palsy
As a family childcare provider, you are in a position to notice any of the above symptoms. In talking to the parent every day at drop-off and pick-up time you are in a position to observe if any of the following behavior is present:
• Alcohol or substance abuse in the family. It may not be the parent who brings the child, but the parent may complain to you that her partner has been drinking.
• Unstable family situation. Often a parent will talk to you about situations they are encountering at home.
• Depression- it is not uncommon for a new mother to become depressed
• Unrealistic expectations of babies
• Young or single parenthood
• Stress
• Domestic violence
• A history of mistreatment as a child
Also, men are more likely to cause shaken baby syndrome than are women.
SBS can cause death. Even brief shaking of an infant can cause irreversible brain damage. That’s why it is very important that if you suspect a parent is not coping well, you may be able to prevent SBS by doing the following:
• Make sure they understand the severe and possible life-threatening effect that shaking a baby can cause. If possible, give them written information they can read over and share with others in their home.
• Teach them that it is normal for babies to cry. Some babies will cry for hours, some have especially fussy times like in the evening, when they will cry for seemingly no reason.
• Assure the parent that it is not their fault. They are not doing anything wrong.
• Warn the parent about any household member who is dealing with substance abuse or other emotional problem. Make sure they protect the child from being left alone with that person.
• Give the parent some suggestions they can use to calm or comfort the baby. Let them know how you handle the baby when he/she is crying.
• Openly talk to the parent about their feelings and how they are dealing with stress.
• Ask the parent to identify someone they can bring the baby to for a little while, when they are overwhelmed and stressed.
• If they are really struggling, suggest they talk to their doctor.
If a child comes to you and is exhibiting any of the above symptoms you should seek medical care immediately. Take the child to the nearest emergency room. Remember you are a mandated reporter and your first obligation is to keep the baby safe from harm. Getting medical care right away may save your child's life or prevent serious health problems.