SBS - Shaken Baby Syndrome
It's a given that babies cry. Even though all parents are aware of this, some parents do not realize how frustrating that can be until they are in the midst of a stressful situation. Relentless crying can push even the most loving parents to do something awful, something they never expected to do - shake their baby.
Crying is the number one trigger for SBS, where a parent or caregiver violently shakes their infant. This can lead to permanent brain damage, lifelong bodily injury, or even death. 10-15 seconds of shaking will result in severe brain damage, and 20 seconds of shaking will kill a baby.
To prevent this from happening, a plan can be helpful. There are steps you can take to avoid this tragic situation.
- Let someone else watch the baby for you while you take a break and relax.
- Keep a list of people you can call for support when your infant is crying relentlessly.
- Set the baby down in their crib, gently, and take a breather. Check on them every 10 minutes.
Babies don't die from crying, but they can die from being shaken. NEVER, never shake a baby.
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