Shaken Baby Syndrome (Abusive HeadTrauma) Prevention Policy

​

This policy is designed to prevent the possibility of abusive head trauma during care. Abusive head trauma (also referred to as Shaken Baby Syndrome) occurs in infants and young children, whose neck muscles are not well-developed and whose heads are larger relative to their bodies. As a result, they are especially susceptible to head trauma caused by any type of forceful or sudden shaking, with or without blunt impact. Damage can occur in as little as 5 seconds.

Abusive head trauma can occur in children up to 5 years of age; however, infants less than one year are at greater risk of injury. Shaken baby syndrome can lead to serious conditions including:

•   Brain damage, problems with memory and attention, cerebral palsy;

•   Blindness or hearing loss;

•   Intellectual, speech or learning disabilities; and

•   Developmental delays.

  Signs and Symptoms

  The signs and symptoms of shaken baby syndrome or head trauma include:

•   Seizures;

•   Bruises;

•   Lack of appetite, vomiting, or difficulty sucking or swallowing;

•   Lack of smiling or vocalizing;

•   Rigidity, inability to lift the head;

•   Difficulty staying awake, altered consciousness;

•   Difficulty breathing, blue color due to lack of oxygen;

•   Unequal pupil size, inability to focus the eyes or track movement; or

•   Irritability.

  Injury Prevention

  Infant crying is normal behavior, which improves as a child ages. Caregivers should develop proactive strategies to manage stress levels and appropriate responses to a crying child. This includes being self- aware and noticing when the caregiver may become frustrated or angry. Parents/guardians, caregivers and coworkers should discuss what calming strategies are successful with a particular child at home or in the center.

  Emergency Response

  If a child presents any of the above symptoms or you suspect a baby has suffered abusive head trauma:

•   Call 911, call the parent/guardian and inform your director and regional manager.

•   Report to the appropriate child protective services agency (or law enforcement, if applicable) within 24 hours or less as required by law. See Child Abuse/Neglect and Mandated Reporting Policy and Procedure for further information.

•   See Medical Emergencies-Calling 911 for additional information.

  Shaken Baby Syndrome (Abusive Head Trauma) Prevention Policy: Operations Page 1 of 3 Effective Date: 12/2016

POLICY

  

Strategies for Caregivers and Parents

A child is usually shaken out of frustration, often when the child is persistently crying or irritable. The following strategies may work some of the time; but sometimes nothing will comfort a crying child. A teacher should seek support from a coworker or center management. If a child is inconsolable on a regular basis, the director and regional manager should be notified and determine if the right supports are in place for the child and for staff.

Do:

•   Hand the child to another caregiver.

•   Place the child somewhere safe in the classroom (or home) and call the office (or a

  neighbor) for support; take deep breaths and count to 10.

•   Check to see if the baby’s diaper needs changing.

•   Give the baby a bottle. If baby readily takes bottle, feed slowly stopping to burp

  often. Do not force the baby to eat.

•   Check for signs of illness and call the parent if you suspect the child is sick.

•   Give baby a pacifier.

•   Hold the baby close against your body and breathe calmly and slowly.

•   Gently rock the baby using slow, rhythmic movements.

•   Sing to the baby or play soft, soothing music.

•   Use "white noise" or rhythmic sounds that mimic the constant whir of noise in the womb

•   Hold the baby on its side or stomach position to help with digestion. Babies should

  always be placed on their backs to sleep.

•   Take the baby for a walk indoors or outside for a ride in the stroller.

•   Be patient: let the baby cry it out if necessary.

  Never:

•   Shake a child.

•   Drop a child.

•   Throw a child into the air or into a crib, chair, or car seat.

•   Push a child into any object including walls, doors, and furniture.

•   Strike a child’s head, directly or indirectly.

  Resources

  In addition to any required state training, the following resources are available to parents/guardians and staff:

  Websites:

  Abusive Head Trauma-How to Protect Your Baby

  https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Abusive-Head-Trauma- Shaken-Baby-Syndrome.aspx

  National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome

  https://www.dontshake.org/

  Shaken Baby Syndrome (Abusive Head Trauma) Prevention Policy: Operations Page 2 of 3 Effective Date: 12/2016

​

   

  

Mary Ann Tocio University (MATU) Resources (can be printed for parents):

Introduction to Early Brain Development

https://mybrightweb.brighthorizons.com/EducationPortal/Supplemental%20Materials/ILM_Brain%20Dev elopment. pdf

Independent Learning Module: Infant Development

https://mybrightweb.brighthorizons.com/EducationPortal/Supplemental%20Materials/ILM%20Infant%20D evelopment. pdf

Growing World of Toddlers

https://mybrightweb.brighthorizons.com/EducationPortal/Supplemental%20Materials/ILM- T oddler%20Development.pdf

Early Brain Development Research Review and Update, Exchange Magazine

https://mybrightweb.brighthorizons.com/EducationPortal/Supplemental%20Materials/Early%20Brain%20 Development%20Research%20Review%20and%20Update-Pam%20Schiller . pdf

​

   

 

                              

 

                             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                      Funshine Preschool and Nursery