Shaken baby syndrome is a type of brain injury that happens when a baby or young child is shaken violently. When this happens, the brain can bounce back and forth against the skull which can cause bleeding, bruising, and swelling.

Shaken baby syndrome is known to cause long-term brain damage or even death. Symptoms of shaken baby syndrome may include:

• Bleeding, bruising, or swelling in the brain
• Bleeding in the retina (a part of the eye)
• Unconsciousness
• Seizures
• Breathing difficulties
• Extreme irritability
• Vomiting
• Pale or blue-colored skin

Some symptoms may be noticed immediately while others become evident as the child grows older. Babies and young children who have been shaken violently may develop serious health problems, including:

• Permanent brain damage
• Vision problems and possibly loss of sight
• Problems with body movement and movement control
• Weakness
• Seizures
• Abnormal physical sensations or perceptions
• Neck and spinal cord damage
• Intellectual disability

Doctors can use imaging tests like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) to diagnose the disorder. Treatment must be given quickly and some children may need surgery to stop bleeding in the body or machines to help them breathe.

Shaking is a potentially fatal form of child abuse. If a baby is shaken with force in a moment of anger, it can lead to a lifetime of effects.

• Shaking can damage a child's brain.

• Shaking can cause permanent disabilities, like blindness or paralysis.

• Shaking can even cause death.

Children less than 1 year old are particularly at risk. Older children can also be seriously injured if they are shaken violently. No child, at any age, should be shaken.

Protect your child from this potential tragedy. Talk to your babysitter, day care workers, friends and relatives so that they are also aware of the dangers of shaking a child.

Being a parent or caregiver is not easy. A baby's constant crying can be stressful and can be a dangerous trigger for you. But there are many resources and professionals who can help you in difficult times.

If you have concerns or questions, talk to your paediatrician, family physician or public health nurse, and look for local community resources that support parents and caregivers.

Check the first pages of your local phone book for the emergency numbers in your area.

If your child is crying, here are some suggestions.

• Check to see whether the crying is a signal that your baby needs something specific, like a diaper change, feeding, relief from being too hot or too cold or attention for a fever.

• If your baby continues to cry after you've made sure there's no specific problem, try to stay calm and check your own state of mind. Are you upset? Are you frustrated?

• If you feel like you might lose control, stop! Place your child safely in the crib, take a time-out and leave the child's room for a few minutes.

• Talk to a friend, family member, neighbour or anyone else you trust, and get some support.

• If you feel you may hurt your baby, call for help: a local crisis line, your child welfare agency or the police.

• Remember, no matter how upset you feel, DON'T SHAKE YOUR BABY.

Plan ahead. Some tips for parents.

• If your baby tends to cry often, make some arrangements for regular child care relief, and get some rest.

• Form a ‘back-up’ plan for calling in reliable help when your baby's crying seems impossible to deal with.

• Talk to a friend, family member, counsellor or health professional about your situation.

• Know your caregiver – never leave your child with someone you don't trust, or someone who has violent reactions.

If a baby is not breathing, shaking will not help. The appropriate treatment is artificial breathing or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Many community organizations, such as St John Ambulance or Red Cross, offer inexpensive or free courses for these first-aid skills.

Don't harm a baby in a moment of frustration. The effects could last a lifetime!