Often, when a small child cries, parents or caregivers might bounce them up and down or shake them vigorously to soothe them. It is important to understand that this method of pacifying a child can have serious consequences for their health.

Infants are as delicate as flowers; therefore, great care must be taken when trying to soothe them. Here, pediatrician Dr. Kinshuki Sharma shares some important insights regarding this.

Why is shaking an infant's head dangerous?
Dr. Kinshuki Sharma explains "Shaken Baby Syndrome" in detail. She describes it as a serious condition that arises when an infant is shaken vigorously. The doctor notes that even shaking a crying baby forcefully for just a few seconds can lead to brain damage.

This happens because a newborn's brain is extremely delicate; when the baby is shaken hard, the brain moves inside the skull. This can result in severe brain injury, bleeding, loss of vision, spinal injury, and even death. Most concerningly, because the injury is often internal, parents may not even realize it has occurred. Doctors advise using safer methods to soothe a crying baby instead of shaking them vigorously.

How should parents soothe a crying baby?
If a baby is crying incessantly for no apparent reason, parents should not panic or rush to quiet them. Instead, first lay the baby down in a safe place and take five minutes for yourself. During this time, ask someone else in the house to look after the baby. This helps reduce anger and irritability in parents. Remember, a baby should never be shaken vigorously, even in jest. If the baby still does not calm down, be sure to consult a doctor. Also, keep in mind that gently rocking the baby does not cause Shaken Baby Syndrome.

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