Shaken baby syndrome

The shaken baby syndrome is a form of child abuse that is, unfortunately, not an isolated occurrence. Many accounts have raised the alarm about this tragedy, which can even be a cause of death for the child. We tell you all about it right now!

Shaken baby syndrome: what happens?

Shaken baby syndrome occurs when a baby is grabbed and shaken back and forth, quite violently. Generally, the baby is grabbed under the armpits or by the chest. Their brain, still immature and unstable at this stage, strikes against the skull. This causes brain injuries, and may even result in a subdural haematoma.

This form of child abuse leads to the child's death in 1 case out of 10. In 75% of the remaining cases, we can observe serious and irreversible after-effects.

How to spot shaken baby syndrome?

It is possible to spot signs suggesting maltreatment of a baby. Although the after-effects may already be present, this helps to prevent a recurrence.

• The child displays abnormal behaviour
• Fewer reactions to their surroundings
• Interactions become less frequent; they do not maintain eye contact
• Bruising or haematomas on the body
• Discomfort or distress in the presence of other adults

Managing your emotions to avoid a tragedy

Every parent will tell you: looking after a baby, particularly in the early months, is not so straightforward. There are many wonderful moments, but there are obviously more challenging phases too.

Particularly when your baby is ill, teething, or suffering from colic, for example. For these reasons, they will tend to cry a great deal and not sleep through the night.

Which is obviously difficult to manage, all the more so when tiredness is added into the mix.

If you feel overwhelmed and sense that you are losing your patience, here are a few pieces of advice:

• Place baby on their back, in a suitable cot, somewhere safe
• Then leave the room, to give yourself time to breathe and calm down
• If possible, ask for help so that your partner or a loved one can take over with the baby
• If you are alone, call someone close to you on the phone, for example, to talk through your feelings, or contact a professional

Finally, know that you are not "abnormal" if you feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or at the end of your tether. This can happen to anyone. You simply need to recognise the signs that show you are no longer coping, and that you just need a break!