A community presentation on the prevention of child abuse, including Shaken Baby Syndrome, will be given by Victoria Brammer on Tuesday, April 12, at 6:00 PM at the ISU Extension Office in Mt. Ayr. She will demonstrate with dolls how easily brain damage can occur to children. Guest speaker Patty Eaton will also share her family’s personal story about how her son, Connor, was shaken by his child care provider and will discuss his physical symptoms and long-term effects, resulting medical concerns and the investigation process.
Shaken Baby Syndrome is a serious form of child abuse that is 100% preventable. When someone forcefully shakes a baby, the child’s head whips back and forth, causing ripping and tearing of blood vessels and nerve endings in the brain, and tearing of brain tissue. Shaking a baby can result in lifelong disabilities, such as brain damage, seizures, paralysis, and even death.
The number one reason a baby is shaken is due to frustration from non-stop crying. If you find yourself being overwhelmed:
- Place the baby in a safe place, like a crib, and leave the room
- Slowly count to ten while taking deep breaths
- Call someone to take over for a while
- Contact the 24-hour crying baby helpline at 866-243-BABY