If shaken, their heads wobble rapidly back and forth, and this rapid movement of the head can result in the brain being bruised from banging against the skull wall. Infants and young children up to age five are vulnerable to head trauma, and different parts of their body can be affected. Shaking can cause brain damage, partial or total blindness, deafness, learning problems, retardation, cerebral palsy, seizures, speech difficulties and death. Generally, shaking happens when someone gets frustrated with a baby or small child. Usually the shaker is fed up with constant crying.
Some babies cry a lot when they are hungry, wet, tired or just want company.
Some infants cry at certain times. Feeding and changing them may help, but sometimes even that does not work. Many adults enjoy tossing children in the air. Tossing, even gentle, may be harmful and can cause major health problems later on in life. Damage from shaking may not be noticeable for years.