Infant care

Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) is a serious, life-altering injury caused by shaking an infant or a blunt impact to the head. While the consequences are devastating, there is a powerful message of hope: AHT is 100% preventable. By leaning on your training and your team, you can make sure every child in your care stays safe.

Shaken baby syndrome

While it falls under the umbrella of AHT, Shaken Baby Syndrome specifically refers to the internal injuries that occur when an infant is shaken. Because a baby’s neck muscles are weak and their brain is still developing, even a few seconds of shaking can cause the brain to move within their skull, causing significant harm.

It is important to understand that shaking usually happens when a caregiver is pushed to their limit by persistent crying. Recognizing this isn't about judgment; it’s about preparation. Knowing that SBS is a physical reaction to extreme stress allows us to focus on the most important tool we have: our own calm.

Coping with crying

Crying is a baby’s first language—it is how they tell us they are hungry, tired, or just need to be held. However, we also know that rhythmic, high-pitched crying can be physically and emotionally taxing for even the most seasoned professional.

When caring for infants and toddlers, please keep these strategies in your "toolkit":

• Check in with yourself: Before you reach for a crying baby, take a quick "internal pulse." Ask yourself, "How am I feeling right now?" If you feel your frustration rising, take a deep, slow breath before you pick them up.

• Take a "safe pause": If you are alone and feel yourself reaching a breaking point, it is perfectly okay—and safe—to place the baby on their back in their crib, step a few feet away, and breathe to regain your composure.

• Ask for a "tag-out" when needed: We are a team! If another caregiver is nearby, never hesitate to say, "I need a five-minute reset." Stepping away for a moment isn't a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of a responsible professional.

• It’s not personal: Sometimes, despite your best efforts to feed, change, and comfort them, a baby will continue to cry. This isn't a reflection of your skills—it is simply a developmental phase the baby is moving through.

Self-care is child care

One of the most professional things you can do is practice regular self-care outside of work. Whether it’s mindfulness, exercise, or a hobby you love, keeping your own "cup" full helps you stay calm and patient when a child needs you most.

Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) is the term used when a baby under age one dies suddenly. While some causes (like SIDS) are still being studied, we know that a Safe Sleep Environment is the best way to protect babies from accidents like suffocation.

The golden rules of safe sleep

• Back to sleep: Always place infants on their backs for every nap and every night. Once they can roll both ways on their own, they can choose their own position, but always start them on their back.

• Clear the space: Infant sleep equipment (cribs, porta-cribs, bassinets, etc.) should be totally bare. No pillows, no stuffed animals, no "crib bumpers," and no loose blankets. A firm, flat mattress with a tight-fitted sheet is all they need.

• Cribs are for sleeping: Car seats, swings, and bouncers are for travel and play—not for sleep. If a baby falls asleep in one of these, gently move them to their crib or other approved sleeping equipment.

• Stay alert: Always stay within sight and sound of sleeping infants. Checking on them frequently is the best way to make sure they are breathing comfortably and safely.