Have you heard of the heartbreaking, newly recognized injury called Shaken Baby Syndrom?

It is estimated that 500,000 cases of Shaken Baby Syndrom occur each year in the U.S.! One out of four babies dies of SBS although the other three will need ongoing medical attention for the rest of their life which averages from a few days to six months old.

Shaken Baby Syndrom happens when a parent or caregiver gets frustrated with a fussy or crying baby. Most of the time they don't know what to do and they pick up the baby and shake them. It is NEVER ok to shake a baby or handle them roughly.

Newborns have extremely weak neck muscles and when they are shaken, their head flops back and forth which can cause brain damage or bleeding in and on the surface of the brain.

Yes it can be frustrating especially if you are alone with your baby and they have been crying for a long period of time and you don't know what to do.

Let me tell you a little secret: There has never been a report of a baby "crying itself to death". So if they are going to cry anyway and you really have had enough and can't take it.....Don't Shake Them! Place them in their crib, step outside the front door for 5 or 10 minutes and take some deep breaths.

When you have taken the time and calmed down a little, go back inside and start over. Check the basics. Pick them up and whisper in their little ear "shhhhhh, shhhhhh", while you are gently patting them on their back or butt.

Then change their diaper and while you are doing that, check to see if they are too hot. Take their socks off or change their clothes to something cooler. Are they cold? Put on some nice warm feety pajamas and wrap them in a blanket.

Give them a nice warm bottle. Maybe they were hungry. If you breastfeed, this would be a great time for the both of you to calm down and try to have a little quiet time. Don't forget to burp them when they are done.

If someone else is with you, have them try some of these suggestions while you go for a 10 minute walk.

I have a friend that burned out 2 vacuum cleaners because her son loved the sound. When he cried or when he was fussy and wouldn't go to sleep, she would place the vacuum cleaner right outside his closed bedroom door and turn it on.

You could place a CD player in their room with soothing music to sleep to. Each of my 3 kids have been listening to the same CD for years. Do what works best for you, just don't EVER shake your baby.

Remember, some of the injuries that you can cause are:

*Brain Damage *Seizures *Dislocations *Retardation *Broken Bones *Spinal Damage/Paralysis *Blindness *Death

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