Do you know what to do when your baby cries?

You know how frustrating it can be when you have tried everything to comfort your crying baby. No one ever thinks they will shake their baby despite how frustrated they may get, yet research shows that crying is the number one trigger that leads parents and caregivers to violently shake and injure babies. This dangerous action can cause a condition known as Abusive Head Trauma.

The good news is that Abusive Head Trauma is 100% preventable.

Finding support and learning coping strategies when dealing with your crying baby will help reduce the number of needless cases that occur.

What can you do to help prevent Abusive Head Trauma?

First, make sure your baby's basic needs are met:

• Hungry?
• Too hot or too cold?
• Diaper changed?
• Clothing too tight or snug?

If you think your baby is sick call his or her Doctor for advice.

If your baby keeps crying despite meeting all of his or her basic needs, you can try any or all of the following:

Hold your baby close against your chest and gently massage

• Rock your baby, walk or dance while holding your baby
• Offer a pacifier, or a clean pinky-finger if breast feeding
• Lower any surrounding noise and lights
• Offer your baby a favorite toy, shake and rattle it or play soft music
• Sing or talk to your baby using soothing tones
• If it's not too hot or too cold outside, take your baby for a walk in a stroller
• Be patient! Take a deep breath and count to ten
• Call a friend or relative that you can trust to take over for a while, then get away, get some rest, take care of yourself

Remember it is OK to leave your baby safe in their crib and walk away for a few minutes!

Additional Resources:

The National Center on
Shaken Baby Syndrome
www.dontshake.org

First Candle
www.firstcandle.org

Virginia SIDS Alliance
www.vasids.org

Search for Services in Virginia
www.211virginia.org

Call 800-Children
(800) 244-5373

SW Virginia Alliance for Safe Babies on Facebook