Never shake a baby: preventing serious injury and getting support

What can happen if a baby is shaken?

Shaking a baby is extremely dangerous and can cause permanent brain damage, disability, injury or death.

Babies have large heads and weak neck muscles. When they are moved suddenly, their head moves quickly back and forth and they cannot control it. This sudden movement can damage the brain. It can tear small blood vessels and cause bleeding.

This kind of injury can lead to:

• unconsciousness
• fits and epilepsy
• blindness
• cerebral palsy
• speech and learning problems
• damage to bones and other organs such as the liver, heart, kidneys and lungs
• death.

Younger babies are at greater risk, but shaking can also seriously harm older babies and small children.

If you think a baby has been shaken

Warning signs may include:

• drowsiness
• floppiness (decreased muscle tone)
• shaking (tremors)
• changes in breathing or difficulty feeding
• vomiting
• unequal size or dilated pupils in the eyes
• skin pale, blue or blotchy (poor circulation)

When can it happen?

Shaking a baby may happen when a parent or caregiver feels overwhelmed, tired or frustrated, especially if a baby cries a lot. Most people do not intend to harm the baby, but may act in a moment of stress without realising how dangerous shaking a baby can be.

Coping with crying

All babies cry, and some cry more than others. Crying is normal and a baby’s main way of communicating and getting our attention.

There are many reasons why babies cry. They may be:

• hungry, tired or needing a nappy change
• too hot or too cold
• uncomfortable or in constrictive clothes
• overstimulated
• upset, lonely or frightened
• unwell.

Tips to calm a crying baby

If your baby has been fed, changed, cuddled and still won’t settle, you could try the following:

• gently rub or pat them
• walk or rock with your baby snuggled up to your chest so they can feel your heartbeat
• sing, talk or whisper to your baby
• take your baby for a walk in the pram.

If your baby still seems unhappy or uncomfortable, they may be unwell. If you are concerned about your baby, see your GP or call the MCH Line for advice (24 hours) on 13 22 29. If you feel like it’s an emergency, call Triple Zero 000.

Tips to help you remain calm

If you are feeling overwhelmed, you can try these steps to help you feel calm and in control:

• put your baby in their cot (on their back), then step away briefly to calm down
• check your ‘safety plan’ (see below)
• call a friend or relative for help
• call a professional or helpline - Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Line 13 22 29

Make a safety plan

There may be times when you feel stressed, tired or overwhelmed. Planning ahead can help you stay calm. A safety plan can include anything that will help you feel calm, such as:

• ways that have helped settle your baby in the past
• have a list of people or professional supports you can contact
• ways to calm yourself, such as slow breathing.

Put the safety plan on the fridge or somewhere easy to see.

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Getting support

Urgent supports

• Nurse-on-Call 1300 60 60 24 is a free, confidential helpline that provides immediate, expert health advice from a registered nurse.
• Virtual Emergency Department www.vved.org.au is a video call with an emergency doctor or nurse if you urgently need care. Free, 24/7, no referral, appointment or Medicare card needed.
• After Hours Child Protection Emergency Service 13 12 78 is to report concerns about the immediate safety of a child outside of normal business hours.

Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Line

MCH Line 13 22 29 offers free, confidential telephone support from Maternal and Child Health nurses who can discuss your concerns about child health, your own health, and any parenting issues. Open 7 days, 24 hours a day.

Translation, hearing and speech services

• National Relay Service (NRS) www.accesshub.gov.au/about-the-nrs is a free service available to help callers who are d/Deaf, or find it hard to hear or speak to hearing people on the phone.
• Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) 131 450 is a free service available 24/7 for callers who speak languages other than English www.tisnational.gov.au.

Wellbeing support services

• PANDA 1300 726 306 is Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Helpline.
• ForWhen 1300 242 322 is Depression and Anxiety Helpline.