How hard can you rock a baby

A shaken baby syndrome is a form of child abuse that causes severe brain damage. It can result in as little as five seconds of shaking. Babies have soft brains and weak neck muscles.

They also have delicate blood vessels. Shaking a baby or young child can cause their brain to hit the inside of the skull repeatedly. This impact can trigger bruising in the brain, bleeding in the brain, and brain swelling. Shaken baby syndrome is more common in children under age 2, but it can affect children up to age 5. Most cases of shaken baby syndrome occur among infants that are 6 to 8 weeks old, which is when babies tend to cry the most. Instead, these injuries often happen when someone shakes the baby out of frustration or anger.

You should never shake a baby under any circumstances. Shaking a baby is a serious and deliberate form of abuse. Call right away if you believe that your baby or another baby is a victim of a shaken baby syndrome. This is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical treatment.

Believe it! This can be hard to understand unless you have been in a situation where no matter what you tried to calm your crying infant, nothing worked. As described more fully in another section on this website, all infants go through a stage in their development when they cry more than any other time in their lives.

This period, which begins at about two weeks of age, peaks around two months and eventually levels off around four-five months, is referred to as the Period of PURPLE Crying.

Consequentially it is the time when most infants are shaken and abused. Most people charged with shaking their baby have no previous history of violence. They are usually average people who in the heat of their frustration and anger lose control and shake their child. Children are most susceptible to being injured during the first year of life because their neck muscles and brains have not developed enough to withstand the violence of being shaken.

As an infant is shaken their brain bounces around inside the skull, causing severe bleeding and swelling. There is also sheering and tearing of the retina inside the eye, causing more bleeding and eventually leading to blindness in most cases of SBS. The shaken baby syndrome occurs when someone violently shakes an infant or toddler. Babies have weak neck muscles and often have difficulty supporting their heads.

When an infant is forcefully shaken, their head moves uncontrollably. Many people ask what types of activities other than shaking can cause SBS.

Shaken Baby Syndrome is caused by a violent and forceful shaking of a child. It is something that most anyone would recognize as extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Playful activities like bouncing a baby on a knee or whisking them through the air, while not recommended, are not going to cause SBS.

We have a wide range of the best baby rockers for your baby. There is often no obvious external evidence of injury or physical sign of violence, resulting in under-diagnosis of this syndrome. Symptoms vary and are caused by generalized brain swelling secondary to trauma.

They may appear immediately after the shaking and usually reach a peak within hours. The following signs and symptoms may indicate shaken baby syndrome:. To make a diagnosis, the doctor will look for the three conditions that often indicate shaken baby syndrome.

These are:. Many children with shaken baby syndrome show signs and symptoms of prior child abuse. In mild cases of shaken baby syndrome, a child may appear normal after being shaken, but over time he or she may develop health or behavioral problems. Seek immediate help if you suspect your child has been injured by violent shaking. Contact your child's doctor or take your child to the nearest emergency room.

Getting medical care right away may save your child's life or prevent serious health problems. Health care professionals are legally required to report all suspected cases of child abuse to state authorities. Babies have weak neck muscles and often struggle to support their heavy heads. If a baby is forcefully shaken, his or her fragile brain moves back and forth inside the skull.

This causes bruising, swelling and bleeding. Shaken baby syndrome usually occurs when a parent or caregiver severely shakes a baby or toddler due to frustration or anger — often because the child won't stop crying. Shaken baby syndrome isn't usually caused by bouncing a child on your knee, minor falls or even rough play.

The following things may make parents or caregivers more likely to forcefully shake a baby and cause shaken baby syndrome:. Even brief shaking of an infant can cause irreversible brain damage. Many children affected by shaken baby syndrome die. New parent education classes can help parents better understand the dangers of violent shaking and may provide tips to soothe a crying baby and manage stress.

When your crying baby can't be calmed, you may be tempted to try anything to get the tears to stop — but it's important to always treat your child gently. Nothing justifies shaking a child. If you're having trouble managing your emotions or the stress of parenthood, seek help. Your child's doctor may offer a referral to a counselor or other mental health provider.

If other people help take care of your child — whether a hired caregiver, sibling or grandparent — make sure they know the dangers of shaken baby syndrome. While newborns are known to sometimes cry inconsolably for hours on end, Horton says, excessive crying can sometimes signal a medical concern, such as a food intolerance or feeding issue that may need addressing by your doctor. Marisa McPeck-Stringham is an information and research specialist at the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome , an organization committed to prevent shaken baby syndrome through the development and implementation of programs, policy and research; and to support and educate families, caregivers and professionals.

He earned his doctoral degree in osteopathic medicine from Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine—Midwestern University in Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such.

You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances. Getting Pregnant. Popular links under Pregnancy First Trimester. Popular links under Baby Baby Month by Month. Popular links under Toddler Toddler Month by Month. Baby Products. Bookmark BookmarkTick BookmarkAdd save. By Anna Davies. Image: Nik Shuliahin. What Is Shaken Baby Syndrome? What Causes Shaken Baby Syndrome? Signs of Shaken Baby Syndrome. Trouble sucking or swallowing Decreased appetite Changes in sleeping patterns Extreme crying or irritability Vomiting Lethargy.

Inability to suck or swallow Unequal size of pupils Inability to focus the eyes or track movement Inability to lift the head Difficulty breathing or turning blue Loss of consciousness Seizures. Learning disabilities Speech disabilities Visual disabilities or blindness Hearing impairment Motor delays or dysfunction, including paralysis Behavior disorders Cognitive impairment Cerebral palsy a neurological disorder that affects body movement, muscle control, posture and balance Seizures Spasticity a condition in which muscles continuously contract, causing stiffness and difficulty moving.

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