To get hints about calming your baby, read the article Hints to Calm a Crying Baby.

When faced with a baby who persistently cries, there are certain things you can do:

• Place the baby in their bed;
• Go out for some air;
• Calm down before going back in;
• Ask for help if you feel panicked, don’t wait until you’re at the end of your rope;
• Take deep, calming breaths;
• Drink a glass of water;
• Take a shower;
• Listen to calming music;
• Go back and see the baby every 15 minutes if you’re calmer;
• Cry if it helps, why not?

You need to find a way to lower the tension before going back to your baby.

Losing control vis-à-vis your baby may mean doing something that could be fatal. Shaking a baby is dangerous and can cause death. A baby is fragile; their brain is softer than an adult’s and is very sensitive to sudden movements. Their neck muscles are still developing. Being shaken can lead to cerebral and eye hemorrhages. Imagine—1 out of 5 babies will die and 75% will have lifelong after effects directly associated with brain damage.

Babies that have been shaken can have convulsions, epilepsy, developmental disorders (late walking, difficulty speaking, etc.) and can have lifelong disabilities such as mental retardation or cerebral paralysis. Never shake a baby under any circumstance! Even if you’re alone and are at the end of your rope and have tried everything possible, nothing can ever excuse shaking a baby!

In Quebec, perinatal programs for shaken baby syndrome (SBS) prevention are available. You might hear nurses talk about it before you return home with your newborn. Since an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, being aware of the issue can make all the difference if you’re faced with similar situations.

Here are some organisations that can help, people who are there to listen to you and who can provide you with things to do to calm down and manage the situation.

This article deals with a profound and sensitive subject, but I think that it will help you better understand the issue and prevent shaken baby syndrome.

Talk soon,

Marie
The Baby Expert