Shaken baby syndrome is the most common cause of inflicted brain injury in the first two years of life.
"Shaken baby syndrome is a severe form of child abuse that results from parents or caregivers violently shaking a baby or a small child," says Elizabeth Oestreich a child injury prevention coordinator.
This whiplash motion causes a child's brain to repeatedly hit the front and back of the skull, leading to potentially fatal consequences.
Child injury prevention coordinator, Elizabeth Oestreich says inconsolable crying of an infant is the number one trigger for shaken babies.
"It can cause death, blindness or cerebral palsy. There are many different life-long debilitating things that can happen if they don't die from it. Most of the time, there's no actual criminal history or drugs or alcohol history of the perpetrators. It's just regular parents losing their control," says Oestreich.
If you've shaken a child, there are ways to tell if serious damage was caused such as lethargy, vomiting, and the inability to cry.
If you can't calm the child after a period, Oestrich says calming yourself could help avoid a bad situation.
"Just knowing when to set that baby down and take a break and walk away. Put the baby down in a safe place like a crib or a playpen and then taking the five or ten minutes you need to cool down," says Oestreich.
Seattle Children's Hospital recommends caregivers practice the five S's approach: Shushing, using white noise. Side positioning, placing the baby on their left side to help digestion. Sucking, letting the baby feed or pacify. Swaddling which can create a secure feeling also swinging or rocking gently.
It is recommended that parents take the appropriate classes and educate anyone who's going to be caring for a baby, about shaken baby syndrome.
