Keep Calm, Don’t Shake A Baby

Many parents do not realize how fragile the bodies of babies and young children are and how much permanent damage can be done in just a few moments under stressful conditions, i.e., a baby who cries all night.

“Don’t shake the baby” is a phase often heard, but in times of stress, not always remembered. This is proven by the fact that every year approximately 3,000 children are diagnosed with shaken baby syndrome (SBS). It is estimated that SBS impacts some 50,000 children per year across the United States but many times it is not recognized or reported.

Newtown Rotary was recently given a talk about this important subject by Laura Baird of the Children’s Trust Fund. Statistics show that of children shaken, 25 percent will die while 60 percent will sustain permanent lifelong disabilities.

Many new parents are not aware that shaking a child for as little as three seconds is dangerous and potentially fatal.

A victim of severe brain damage typically faces a minimum of five to ten years of intensive services, with estimated costs in excess of $4 million. Families of survivors also need additional support.

Ms Baird’s goal is to give her talk to as many people and organizations she can so that more and more people are aware of the dangers of shaking a baby. She can be reached at Laura.Baird@po.state.ct.us.