Family Violence Prevention Council Special Projects

What is Shaken Baby Syndrome?

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is a form of inflicted head trauma that results from someone vigorously shaking a baby or young child. The violent shaking causes the baby's head to move back and forth in a whiplash motion resulting in brain injury. Whether intended to cause harm or not, it is abuse.

Although the vast majority of SBS cases occur in babies younger than one year old, young children can also be the victim of SBS.

More information can be found at the Shaken Baby Coalition, www.shakenbabycoalition.org.

What causes Shaken Baby Syndrome?

The perpetrators of SBS cases are almost always parents or caregivers. Many times the parent or caregiver is frustrated due to a baby's inconsolable crying. Out of frustration, the parent or caregiver violently shakes the child. Such violent shaking, even for a few seconds, can cause SBS.

What are the results of Shaken Baby Syndrome?

One out of four babies dies as a result of their injuries. Others face permanent disability including mental retardation, cerebral palsy, speech and learning disabilities, paralysis, seizures, blindness, and hearing loss.

Generally, normal interaction with a child, like bouncing the baby on a knee, will not cause SBS. However, gentle shaking can quickly escalate into violent shaking, especially when a person is angry; therefore, never, ever shake a baby.

How Can I Help Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome?

SBS is 100 percent preventable. One step that you can take to help prevent SBS is to pass this information on to others who are parents or caregivers.

Coping with crying

It is normal for a baby to cry. This is how babies communicate that they are hungry, wet, uncomfortable, tired, in pain, stressed out, or just plain out of sorts. Sometimes they cry for no reason at all. Some babies cry more than others. Many babies go through stages where they seem to cry more than at other times. Like all stages, this will come to an end.

It is also normal for parents to feel frustrated listening to the crying and not being able to stop it. However, shaking a baby is never the answer. It is abuse. Not only will it probably not make the baby stop crying, it may do permanent brain damage or cause the baby's death.

If your baby is crying, ask yourself:

Does the baby need to be fed, burped, changed, or cuddled?

Is the baby too hot or too cold?

Is the baby overtired or over-stimulated?

Is the baby sick or in pain?

If taking care of these needs did not help, try the following tips to help your baby:

Talk to the baby only if you can do so very calmly; sing to the baby; dance with the baby.

Rock the baby

Give the baby a warm bath

Swaddle the baby

Put on smoothing music

Take the baby for a walk or car ride

Lower any surrounding noise and lights

Sometimes, it seems that no matter what you try, your baby won't stop crying.

Remember that this, too, will pass.

Remember that it is OK and normal for your baby to cry.

Remember how you feel when your baby smiles at you.

Remember that your baby is not doing this on purpose.

Take deep breaths and count to 10.

Shut your eyes and imagine you are in your favorite place.

Put your baby in a safe place and then give yourself a timeout.

Put on some music and dance.

Take a walk.

Write in a journal.

Reach out for help. Call a family member, friend, or neighbor to talk about it. Ask your parent, a family member, or a friend to help you.

Remember. . . . Never, ever shake a baby.

Funding for this material was provided through the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority. The views and statements expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the IVPA, nor do they necessarily reflect the views and opinions of our judiciary.