Is shaking a baby OK?
Is shaking a baby OK?
It may only take 1 or 2 hard shakes to seriously injure a small child. This is because babies and toddlers have relatively big, heavy heads and weak neck muscles. When they are shaken, the brain slams back and forth inside the skull, resulting in bleeding around the brain and damage to the brain itself.
What happens if you shake a baby?
Shaken baby syndrome is a form of child abuse. When a baby is shaken hard by the shoulders, arms, or legs, it can cause learning disabilities, behavior disorders, vision problems or blindness, hearing and speech issues, seizures, cerebral palsy, serious brain injury, and permanent disability.
What is considered shaken baby?
Shaken Baby Syndrome (also known as Shaken Impact Syndrome) is a serious form of abuse inflicted upon a child. It usually occurs when a parent or other caregiver shakes a baby out of anger or frustration, often because the baby will not stop crying.
Why should you never shake a baby?
If shaken hard enough, the brain could bruise or bleed. This hurts the brain, and can cause blindness, learning problems, brain damage, or death. This usually happens with small babies, but even three and four year-olds can be hurt this way. Shaking may seem harmless, but it is very dangerous.
Is rocking a baby the same as shaking?
Can bouncing cause shaken baby syndrome? No. Young infants should have their head supported at all times and caregivers should avoid jostling them or throwing them in the air, but gentle bouncing, swinging or rocking won’t cause shaken baby syndrome.
Who is most likely to shake a baby?
Canadian research has shown that the babies who are shaken are most often male and under six months of age. The research also identified biological fathers, stepfathers and male partners of biological mothers as more likely to shake an infant. Female babysitters and biological mothers are also known to shake babies.
Why do people shake babies?
Parents or caregivers may shake a baby because it is crying for a long time, and they may think that shaking the baby will make him or her stop crying. Some parents or caregivers may be under stress for various reasons, and may become frustrated and unable to cope with the responsibilities of caring for a child.
Is bouncing a baby the same as shaking?
Many people ask what types of activities other than shaking can cause SBS. For example, one concerned grandparent asks, “My son was bouncing my grandson on his knee and his head was moving all around, is he going to get shaken baby syndrome,” the answer to these questions is usually always the same.
How do I know if I’ve shaken my baby too hard?
Shaken baby syndrome symptoms and signs include: Extreme fussiness or irritability. Difficulty staying awake. Breathing problems.