People who care for young children want to know if bouncing a baby on their knee can hurt him. They also wonder about burping a baby or playfully tossing her into the air. It can include brain damage, blindness, paralysis, seizures, and even death. Shaking a baby or child is a form of child abuse.
Babies have weak neck muscles, very large heads, and soft brains.
Most cases of SBS occur when a baby will not stop crying and a caregiver gets very frustrated. They may not even know that is dangerous. Make sure that everyone who cares for your baby or child knows the risks of shaking. Always support a baby's head. It is unsafe not to support the head and neck.