The needless suffering and irreversible tragedy of Shaken Baby Syndrome drives prevention efforts across the country. Conference attendees learned that prevention programs try various approaches they hope will convince caretakers that shaking a baby is dangerous and can be lethal. Children's Hospital of Buffalo has a program in eight Western New York counties to educate every mother and father upon the birth of every child on the dangers of violent infant shaking.
Parents learn alternative coping strategies before the baby leaves the hospital.
In the first twelve months only one child in the area was diagnosed with SBS, as compared to the average of 6.5 cases per year from 1993-1998. Interestingly, the majority of the parents indicated that they were already aware of the dangers of shaking. Along with medical experts, local charitable and social groups nation-wide have entered the SBS prevention field. Their outreach includes fund-raising, curricula design, media appeals, and community coordination. Combining both medical and private interest in SBS education, Wisconsin's The Shaken Baby Association educates pediatricians, obstetrician-gynecologists and family practitioners to recognize SBS symptoms and, in turn, teach parents.