Shaken Baby Syndrome is a serious form of abuse inflicted upon a child. It usually occurs when a parent or other caregiver shakes a baby out of anger or frustration, often because the baby will not stop crying.
Babies have very weak neck muscles that cannot fully support their disproportionately large heads. Severe shaking causes the baby’s head to move violently back and forth, resulting in serious and sometimes fatal brain injury. These forces are exaggerated if the shaking is interrupted by the baby’s head hitting a surface.
It’s important to never shake an infant or child because even a seemingly mild shake can cause brain injury. If you feel your anger is out of control, be sure to walk away and regain your composure.