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How to protect your baby from abusive head trauma

Published April 29, 2020
• Reviewed by Anne Nielsen ARNP, DNP, CPNP-PC
on May 25, 2023

Have you ever found yourself in a situation like this?

• Your baby has cried nonstop for hours.
• You have done everything you can, but your baby is still crying.
• You are frustrated and tired.
• Nothing works to calm your baby.

What can you do?

When your baby is irritable:

  • Make sure all your baby’s needs are met.
  • Rock your baby in a baby swing or in your arms.
  • Put your baby in a stroller and take a walk.
  • Put your baby in the car seat and take a ride.

If you feel your patience is disappearing:

  • Put your baby in the crib and leave the room until you are calm again.
  • Ask your partner to care for the baby.
  • Call a friend or family for help. After getting help, take a walk to calm down before taking over again.

How can shaking harm a baby?

Each year 30 to 40 babies in Iowa are hurt very badly because of shaking. About 1300 children are hurt or killed by abusive head injuries each year in the United States. It is easy to hurt a baby’s brain.

When a baby is shaken, their head snaps back and forth. The blood vessels around the brain may break and cause bleeding in the head. The baby’s brain may be hurt. The baby may also stop breathing.

Every new parent has felt frustrated, tired, helpless, or angry with their crying baby. A brief loss of control can lead to a family and their child spending a lifetime dealing with the results of brain injuries, such as:

  • Mental and developmental delays
  • Seizure disorder
  • Blindness
  • Deafness
  • Learning disorders

Call the Crying Baby Helpline at 1-866-243-2229 (BABY) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for help when you feel frustrated.