Shaken Baby Prevention

You had a cousin who died in foster care. His foster mother went to jail on a plea bargain. She probably did it, although she claimed she did not know how he had received the brain injuries that killed him. Her family insinuated it was a babysitter.

I saw her once with him. She looked like she really loved him. She looked thrilled to have him. He died in her care.

His story haunts me because it should not have ended in murder. Infanticide. Based on my experience with some of his cousins I bet he was challenging but that is no excuse for hurting a baby. Thousands of children die every year because people who are supposed to protect them hurt them instead.

His siblings were returned to their father who had been accused of molesting them.

Broken. Really broken.

I think anyone who takes care of a baby needs to know that sometimes babies cry…
A lot.

They cry because of hunger and thirst
They cry to be held or changed
They cry because they are sick
They cry because they are tired
They cry because they are teething
They cry when you are tired, frustrated, lonely
They cry in inconvenient places

It sometimes feels like they are crying to cry
out of spite?
but they are not

They just need love and patience and time.
All crying stops.

So think before you lose it.
Call for help.
Take a break and think

Call me…
But never, never, never
Hurt the baby

when mothers hurt…

4 thoughts on “Shaken Baby Prevention

  1. I can only imagine that there are people who for whatever reason have some sort of explosive physical response to annoyance and anger — like their brains can’t easily turn off or decelerate violent intensity. ??? Are you a counselor for families whose children are at risk?

    • I think a crying baby can be tough on everyone. We don’t give young parents the heads up and coping strategies. We need to drill this stuff like traffic rules or dental hygiene.

      Most of us control our annoyance, protect our kids and everyone survives. But the emotionally ragged….

      Results are irreparable.

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