Shaken Baby Syndrome

Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Policy

This policy is designed to prevent the possibility of shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma during care. Shaken Baby Syndrome (also referred to as Abusive Head Trauma) occurs in infants and young children, whose neck muscles are not well-developed and whose heads are larger relative to their bodies. As a result, they are especially susceptible to head trauma caused by any type of forceful or sudden shaking, with or without blunt impact. Damage can occur in as little as 5 seconds.

At The Bird’s Nest Day School we believe that preventing, recognizing, responding to and reporting abusive head trauma is an important function of keeping children safe, protecting healthy development, providing quality child care and educating families. Our staff and parents are educated annually.

Abusive head trauma can occur in children up to 5 years of age; however, infants less than one year are at greater risk of injury. Shaken baby syndrome can lead to serious conditions including:

Brain damage, problems with memory and attention, cerebral palsy;

Blindness or hearing loss;

Intellectual, speech or learning disabilities; and

Developmental delays.

Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of shaken baby syndrome or head trauma include:

Seizures
Bruises
Lack of appetite, vomiting, or difficulty sucking or swallowing;
Lack of smiling or vocalizing;
Rigidity, inability to lift the head;
Difficulty staying awake, altered consciousness;
Difficulty breathing, blue color due to lack of oxygen;
Unequal pupil size, inability to focus the eyes or track movement; or
Irritability.

Injury Prevention

Infant crying is normal behavior, which improves as a child ages and communication skills strengthen. Caregivers should develop proactive strategies to manage stress levels and appropriate responses to a crying child. This includes being self- aware and noticing when the caregiver may become frustrated or angry. Parents/guardians, caregivers and coworkers should discuss what calming strategies are successful with a particular child at home and in the center.

Emergency Response

If a child presents any of the above symptoms or you suspect a baby has suffered abusive head trauma:

Call 911, call the parent/guardian and inform your director and regional manager.
Report to the appropriate child protective services agency (or law enforcement, if applicable) within 24 hours or less as required by law.

Strategies for caregivers and Parents.

A child is usually shaken out of frustration, often when the child is persistently crying or irritable. The following strategies may work some of the time; but sometimes nothing will comfort a crying child. A teacher should seek support from a coworker or center management. If a child is inconsolable on a regular basis, the director and regional manager should be notified and determine if the right supports are in place for the child and for staff.

Do:

Hand the child to another caregiver.
Place the child somewhere safe in the classroom (or home) and call the office (or a neighbor) for support; take deep breaths and count to 10.
Check to see if the baby’s diaper needs changing.
Give the baby a bottle. If baby readily takes bottle, feed slowly stopping to burp often. Do not force the baby to eat.
Check for signs of illness and call the parent if you suspect the child is sick.
Give baby a pacifier.
Hold the baby close against your body and breathe calmly and slowly.
Gently rock the baby using slow, rhythmic movements.
Sing to the baby or play soft, soothing music.
Use "white noise" or rhythmic sounds that mimic the constant whir of noise in the womb
Hold the baby on its side or stomach position to help with digestion. Babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep.
Take the baby for a walk indoors or outside for a ride in the stroller.
Be patient: let the baby cry it out if necessary.