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Posts tagged ‘prevention of shaken baby syndrome’

UltimateMama read yet another disturbing news report of a parent who was charged with shaking their baby. 

Never, never, never, never shake your baby or anyone else’s baby.  Pass that message along to your caregivers, family members, and friends.  Shaking a baby for any reason is CHILD ABUSE. Shaken baby syndrome is 100% preventable.

If your baby is crying and you are frustrated please take the following steps:

– Place the baby in a safe place such as a crib or pak n play and take a “parental time out” for 5, 10, 15, or however many minutes it takes you to calm down, drink a glass of water, and think clearly.

– Call your partner, a friend, a neighbor, your doctor, or a close family member and talk about your emotions.

– Call a friend or caregiver to come over and help you with your baby.

Dealing with a crying baby is not always easy, especially when you are sleep deprived. But, do not lose your cool.  When you calm down enough to go back to your baby (and NEVER LEAVE A BABY UNATTENDED or ALONE) and hold them try these solutions:

– Take care of their basic needs:  burp the baby, change their diaper, feed the baby, etc.

– Take the baby on a stroller ride:  fresh air will do both of you good.

– Put some music on or background noise for YOU and the baby.  Whether it is Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson, Usher, Moby, Steve Miller, Abba, or whoever, calm down to the music.

– Offer the baby a toy or book to play with.

For more information on Shaken Baby Syndrome read the following website from the American Academy of Pediatricshttp://www.aap.org/publiced/br_shakenbaby.htm