New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

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Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS), Abusive Head Trauma (AHT), & Non-Accidental Trauma (NAT)

What are AHT and NAT?

At least ½ of the American public doesn’t know that shaking a baby can cause blindness, cerebral palsy (CP), hearing loss, seizures, learning and behavior problems, seizures, paralysis, severe and permanent injury to the brain and/or spinal cord, and even death. Many of NMSBVI’s visually impaired students are the victims of Non-Accidental Trauma (NAT) caused by adult anger. NAT is 100% preventable.

Watch a video on SBS:

When Babies Cry from Chris L. Ivey on Vimeo.

Contact:

Andrea Montano

Developmental Vision Specialist

Luanne Stordahl

Developmental Vision Specialist

Zelfa Sandoval Sweeney

Developmental Vision Specialist

Click on the dropdown menu below:

20 Tips to Soothe a Crying Infant

(courtesy of the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome www.dontshake.org)

Crying is the #1 trigger for SBS/NAT.Crying does not mean that there is anything wrong with you or your baby.If you start to become frustrated, put your baby in a safe place, walk away, and calm down.

The following list is not all-inclusive.There are many things you can do to calm a baby’s crying.Many of these techniques may work, but not all techniques work all of the time.Just keep trying and remember…never, never, never shake a baby.

20 Tips to Soothe a Crying Infant. ↓

•  Feed your baby. Hunger is often the main reason a baby cries.
•  Burp your baby. Gas can be very uncomfortable.
•  Swaddle your baby in a lightweight blanket.
•  Give your baby a lukewarm bath, under supervision.
•  Massage your baby gently on back, arms, or legs.
•  Give your baby a pacifier. (Use sparingly!)
•  Make eye contact with your baby and smile.
•  Kiss your baby.
•  Lightly kiss the bottom of your baby’s feet.
•  Sing Softly. Lullabies were created because of their effectiveness at calming crying babies.
•  Reassure your baby with soft words like “it’s ok.” (This can help comfort both you and your baby during a difficult crying episode.
•  Hum in a low tone against your baby’s head.
•  Run a vacuum cleaner to create distracting “white noise.”
•  Run the dishwasher; more comforting “white noise.”
•  Take your baby for a ride in the car, with baby secure in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat.
•  Rocking with your baby in a rocking chair can be very relaxing for you both.
•  Push your baby in a stroller.
•  Place your baby in a baby swing for a slow, rhythmic motion.
•  Place your baby underneath a lighted mobile.
•  Dance Slowly... and relax!