Mary McCurdy - PinnacleHealth

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staying calm: PREVENTING SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME Parenthood is both exciting and challenging! From the time your baby first opens its eyes, to its first step and even first date, later in life; parenthood is a continual learning process. As many of us know, being a parent is the hardest job you will ever have, but also the most rewarding. Understanding Your Baby The first few weeks being home from the hospital with your newborn baby can be a scary time. With so much to learn and do, it can be overwhelming. The most important thing to know and to remember is that you are not alone. Along with the joy of parenting, there will be moments of frustration, sadness and possibly even anger. A fleeting feeling of anger can be normal, but you must have a support plan to help you stay balanced. Staying balanced will help you manage emotions and decrease the incident of Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS). SBS, also known as abusive head trauma (AHT) is caused by the violent shaking of an infant or young child. Shaking a baby can result in brain damage, paralysis, seizures, loss of hearing, learning disabilities or death. PinnacleHealth System was one of the first hospitals to partner with Pennsylvania Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention & Awareness Program in 2004. The project promotes the ability of medical professionals to recognize cases of SBS. Raising awareness of the issue is the first step towards making a difference. 16 (717) 231-8900
In the first two to three months, crying is at a peak in the baby’s development Crying is absolutely normal, even for a prolonged period. Being aware that parenthood is going to be hard is the first step to preventing SBS. “Many parents get home after having help from medical staff and feel completely overwhelmed,” says Norine Tamborino RN, Performance Improvement at PinnacleHealth. “Have a support plan even before going into the hospital.” baby. While it is important to accept help or take a break when you are stressed, it’s also important to remember as parents you are the ‘A-Team’ for the baby’s care,” says Tamborino. The “B” team, made up of grandparents and friends, are responsible for the household basics. There are many “mommy and me” and play groups you can get involved in. This way, you can spend time with your baby while socializing with other parents going through the same things you are. Support Plan Before going to the hospital to have your baby, it will be helpful to have a phone list of people you trust and can call for support. If you cannot reach a friend and you’re feeling overwhelmed, put your baby in a safe place, like a crib, and step outside and take a deep breath, rebalance your emotions and remember: it gets easier. No one is an expert of your babies. Within relatively a short time you will become the expert of your child. “Nurses should advise new parents on how to comfort a crying baby. Sharing personal experiences helps parents realize that even professionals caring for babies have the same issues and deal with the same stresses,” explains Tamborino. Don’t ever leave the baby with someone you do not trust. Even a close friend or relative can lose their patience when stressed, especially if they are normally known to have a hot temper. Asking someone for help whom you trust is key. Even as a parent, you must be able to walk away for twenty to thirty minutes when you are feeling overwhelmed. Take a deep breath to regain a sense of peace. You must take care of yourself in order to take proper care of your baby. Relationships can suffer during this time as well. Schedule a date night with your partner to help keep your marriage balanced as well. While accepting help is recommended, it is also crucial not to accept too much help. During the first few months of your baby’s life, you and your baby are learning to work together. The baby is establishing a schedule while you are learning their cues to meet their needs. This process is critical in strengthening your confidence. “Don't let well meaning family and friends hog the Even as a parent, you must be able to walk away for twenty to thirty minutes when you are feeling overwhelmed. Take a deep breath to regain a sense of peace. Team Work Raising your baby takes a team approach. Whether the mom is at home during the first few months, while the dad is at work or vice versa, sharing responsibility is a must. Work as a team to care for your baby. Schedule time for lunch with friends and have the other parent do housework and take care of the baby. Don’t feel guilty for being out and enjoying some quiet time. Responsibility is shared and the time will help relieve stress and make you a better parent. Make sure to take turns; teamwork is the best approach to a healthy family. PinnacleHealth is committed to building strong families. There are about 4,200 infants delivered at Harrisburg Hospital each year. Since 2006, every new family is provided with education from a Registered Nurse, pamphlets explaining methods to comfort a crying baby, a DVD entitled, “Portrait of Promise,” which illustrates personal stories, consequences of violent shaking, and positive parenting techniques for prevention. Parents are asked to sign a voluntary commitment statement by the Registered Nurse. The form validates that the parents have received, read and understand the information given about SBS. A copy is given to the parents and a copy is placed in the infant birth record. For more information about SBS or PinnacleHealth services, visit pinnaclehealth.org. If you or someone you know need help managing stress or anger to prevent any harm to your/their baby, call the Pennsylvania Department of Health CONNECT line at 1-800-692-7288. pinnaclehealth.org 17
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Mary McCurdy - PinnacleHealth

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