Pediatrician - Wall
3350 Highway 138 Building 2 Suite 126
Wall, NJ 07719
732-280-6455
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Abusive Head Trauma: How to Protect Your Baby
Important Information about Preventing Brain Injuries in Infants
One of the skills parents and caregivers need to learn is how to deal with stress. This is especially important when there seems to be no end to a baby's crying. Too often, when a parent or caregiver loses control the results can be harmful or deadly.
The following is information from the American Academy of Pediatrics to help parents and caregivers cope with crying babies. Also included is information about injuries that could happen when parents and caregivers lose control of their tempers.
When Your Baby Cries, Take a Break!
If you have tried to calm your crying baby but nothing seems to work, it is important to stay in control of your temper. Remember, it is never OK to shake, throw, hit, slam, or jerk any child—and it never solves the problem!
If you feel like you are getting angry and might lose control, try the following:
- Take a deep breath and count to 10.
- Place your baby in a safe place, leave the room, and let your baby cry alone for about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Call someone close to you for emotional support.
- Call your child's doctor. There may be a medical reason why your baby is crying.
- Be patient. Colicky and fussy babies eventually grow out of their crying phase. Keeping your baby safe is the most important thing you can do. Even if you feel frustrated, stay in control and handle your baby with care.
An Important Reminder for All Caregivers:
Anyone who cares for your children should know about the dangers of shaking or striking a baby's head. This includes anyone who cares for your children: child care providers, boyfriends, girlfriends, older siblings, grandparents, and neighbors. Make sure they know it is never OK to shake, throw, hit, slam, or jerk any child.
If your children are being cared for by others, take some time to observe the caregiver-child interaction. Do they enjoy talking or playing with your children? How would they calm a crying baby? Other important things to keep in mind when choosing a caregiver are the caregiver's personality and habits. For example, people who are patient, responsible, and trustworthy are ideal caregivers while people who are easily angered or heavily drinkalcohol or use other drugs are not ideal caregivers. Before selecting a child care provider, make certain the program is licensed or certified.
What to Do When a Baby Cries:
It is not always easy to figure out why babies cry. They may be hungry or overtired. They may be cold or need their diapers changed. Crying is their only way of expressing their needs, and it's not because they dislike their parents. Sometimes it seems like they cry for no reason.
The following are some ways to help calm a crying baby:
- Check to see if your baby's diaper needs changing.
- Swaddle your baby in a large, thin blanket (ask your nurse or child's doctor to show you how to do it correctly) to help her feel secure.
- Feed your baby slowly, stopping to burp often.
- Offer your baby a pacifier.
- Hold your baby against bare skin, like on your chest, or cheek-to-cheek.
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If you have tried all of these and your baby continues to cry, go back and try them again. Most babies get tired after crying for a long time and eventually will fall asleep. If all else fails, call your child's doctor and share your concerns and your stress.
What is Abusive Head Trauma?
Abusive head trauma, including shaken baby syndrome, is a serious type of head injury. It is caused by shaking, throwing, hitting, slamming, or jerking.
Too often, abusive head trauma leads to the death of a baby. It also can lead to:
- Bleeding around the brain
- Blindness
- Hearing loss
- Speech or learning disabilities
- Seizures
- Brain damage
- Cerebral palsy
- Intellectual disability (formally called mental retardation)
- Rock your baby using slow, rhythmic movements.
- Sing to your baby or play soft, soothing music.
- Take your baby for a walk in a stroller.
- Go for a ride with your baby in the car (remember to always use a car seat).
Babies are not able to fully support their heavy heads. As a result, violent and forceful shaking or impact causes a baby's brain to be injured.
Signs and Symptoms of Abusive Head Trauma
Victims of abusive head trauma may show one or all of the following signs and symptoms:
- Irritability
- Lethargy (trouble staying awake)
- Trouble breathing
- Vomiting
- Coma (unable to be awakened)
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Abusive head trauma often occurs when a parent or other caregiver reacts impulsively in anger or frustration, often because the baby will not stop crying. Abusive head trauma is a serious form of child abuse.
Additional Information & Resources:
- Calming A Fussy Baby
- What to Know About Child Abuse
- When Things Aren't Perfect: Caring for Yourself & Your Children
- The Greatest Gift You Can Give Your Child (Video)
- Management of Pediatric Trauma (AAP Policy Statement)
- Heads Up: Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome (CDC.gov)
- National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome (dontshake.org)​
Source Protecting Your Baby From Abuse: Important Information About Preventing Brain Injuries in Infants (Copyright © 2010 American Academy of Pediatrics)
Link: http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Abusive-Head-Trauma-Shaken-Baby-Syndrome.aspx
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3350 Highway 138 Building 2 Suite 126,
Wall, NJ 07719