family and nursary

Protect Your Baby from Shaken Baby Syndrome

November 22, 2023 Infant
10 years ago, 2-year-old Jackson was shaken for 30 seconds with uncontrolled rage by his stepfather. He was literally shaken to death before paramedics arrived and performed CPR to revive him. Jackson was taken to the nearest hospital where he spent more than two weeks in a coma, fighting for his life. When Jackson woke up, he stayed in the hospital for another six months.

Before that terrible day, Jackson was a happy, healthy toddler. Now, Jackson has trouble moving his left arm, wears braces on both of his legs, and drags his left foot when he walks. He is blind in his left eye, has gone through thousands of hours of speech and physical therapies to relearn how to walk, talk, eat, and play. Jackson doesn’t know what happened to him, or why he is different from other kids. He doesn’t know that his life didn’t have to be this way.

It’s Not an Accident

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is the result of violent shaking that leads to a brain injury, similar to what an adult might experience if they were in multiple car crashes. It’s child abuse, not an accident. While the following can be dangerous and should be avoided, it’s important to know that SBS injuries are NOT caused by these types of activities:

  • Bouncing a baby on your knee
  • Tossing a baby in the air
  • Jogging or bicycling with your baby
  • Falling off the couch or other furniture
  • Sudden stops in a car or driving over bumps

Shaken Baby Syndrome is preventable. Protect your baby by carefully deciding who will watch your child.

  • ✓ Tell everyone who cares for your baby about the dangers of shaking a baby.
  • ✓ Remind others that crying is normal; it’s how babies communicate.
  • ✓ Offer tips to help calm your baby that work well for you.
  • ✓ Look for signs of frustration and anger among others caring for your baby. Frustration with a crying baby is usually the main trigger for shaking and hurting infants. Potty training, feeding problems, and interrupting a caregiver’s activities (like watching TV) are also triggers.
  • ✓ Don’t leave your baby with anyone if caretaking will be too much for them to handle. Just because you can care for your baby with patience doesn’t mean someone you know can do the same.
Side-Lying

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
cross-cradle

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Football

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CRADLE hold

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
laid-back

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position