The injuries are usually caused by parents or carers who have become frustrated by their inability to stop a baby who is crying constantly. Adults who were victims of abuse themselves and have low frustration levels may be more likely to shake a baby to hush its crying. Typical victims of this abuse are infants with colic who will not stop crying. Shaken baby syndrome has been referred to as a hidden form of child abuse because doctors evaluating the baby often do not see outward signs of injury on the head or old fractures or burns that are common to abused children. Doctors should also look out for bruises to the shoulder and neck, bruises in children who have not yet started to crawl, bone injuries and signs that the body's vital systems are failing, such as the onset of hypothermia.
Stress management is the key.
Parents and carers must control their frustration and seek help if appropriate. Check on the baby every 10-15 minutes. It also advises checking a constantly crying baby for signs of illness and asking a friend or relative to take over caring for a while if the pressure becomes too much. It says that a crying baby will only respond to gentle behaviour. The association is calling on the government to back a campaign on the dangers of shaking babies.