SECTION 2 2.10 NEVER SHAKE YOUR BABY · 2016-10-17 · If you start to feel angry (all parents do...
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NICU Guide to Baby Care Baby Care | 22 SECTION 2 2.10 NEVER SHAKE YOUR BABY Caring for your baby Caring for a baby or young child is hard work. A baby needs care night and day. This includes feeding, changing and cuddling. All parents sometimes feel tired and short-tempered. Babies cry for many reasons. Some babies cry a lot. This crying can make parents worried, tense and frustrated. All parents have these feelings, and these feelings are normal. But, it’s never OK to take them out on your baby. Never shake or hit your baby. If you do, it could lead to brain damage, blindness, mental retardation and even death. Children under age 2 are the most at risk. Their heads and necks are very weak. Shaking a baby just once can hurt your baby for life. Always handle your baby with care. Rock your baby gently. Never play roughly, bounce or toss your baby, or jerk or swing your baby by the arms. How to handle your anger If you start to feel angry (all parents do sometimes): • Take a break. Make sure that your child is in a safe place and go to another room. • Count to 10. Take some deep breaths. • Ask for help. Have your partner, a friend or a relative care for the baby for a while. • Don’t take your baby’s crying personally. Crying is how babies talk. Your baby is not trying to drive you crazy. It’s up to you to keep your cool. You can do it! How to handle a crying baby There are safe ways to calm your baby. Make sure that your baby is not: • wet • hungry • lonely • too hot or cold Go outside and take your baby for a walk. Keep your baby close to you. Babies need a lot of holding, carrying and gentle rocking. Sometimes a baby won’t stop crying no maer what you do. You have to be patient during these times. Remember that extra care and aention will not spoil your baby. All parents need help. When you need help, call a health care provider. He or she can make sure your baby is healthy. Ask for parenting tips and tips for helping your baby stop crying. Take a parenting class at your local community college, health clinic or hospital. Join a support group for new parents. Ask your health care provider, local hospital or clinic for information. Enjoy your baby! Shaking a baby is never OK. Handle your baby with care.
Transcript of SECTION 2 2.10 NEVER SHAKE YOUR BABY · 2016-10-17 · If you start to feel angry (all parents do...
NICU Guide to Baby Care
Baby Care | 22
SECTION 2
2.10 NEVER SHAKE YOUR BABY
Caring for your babyCaring for a baby or young child is hard work. A baby needs care night and day. This includes feeding, changing and cuddling. All parents sometimes feel tired and short-tempered. Babies cry for many reasons. Some babies cry a lot. This crying can make parents worried, tense and frustrated. All parents have these feelings, and these feelings are normal. But, it’s never OK to take them out on your baby.
Never shake or hit your baby. If you do, it could lead to brain damage, blindness, mental retardation and even death. Children under age 2 are the most at risk. Their heads and necks are very weak. Shaking a baby just once can hurt your baby for life. Always handle your baby with care. Rock your baby gently. Never play roughly, bounce or toss your baby, or jerk or swing your baby by the arms.
How to handle your anger If you start to feel angry (all parents do sometimes):• Take a break. Make sure that your child is in a safe place and go to another room.• Count to 10. Take some deep breaths.• Ask for help. Have your partner, a friend or a relative care for the baby for a while.• Don’t take your baby’s crying personally. Crying is how babies talk. Your baby is not trying
to drive you crazy. It’s up to you to keep your cool. You can do it!
How to handle a crying babyThere are safe ways to calm your baby. Make sure that your baby is not:• wet• hungry• lonely• too hot or cold
Go outside and take your baby for a walk. Keep your baby close to you. Babies need a lot of holding, carrying and gentle rocking. Sometimes a baby won’t stop crying no matter what you do. You have to be patient during these times. Remember that extra care and attention will not spoil your baby. All parents need help. When you need help, call a health care provider. He or she can make sure your baby is healthy. Ask for parenting tips and tips for helping your baby stop crying. Take a parenting class at your local community college, health clinic or hospital. Join a support group for new parents. Ask your health care provider, local hospital or clinic for information.
Enjoy your baby! Shaking a baby is never OK. Handle your baby with care.
