• SI University Hospital Prenatal Classes
• Denise Austin: Fit & Firm Pregnancy
• Mommy, I’m Hungry!
• Purple Crying
• What to Do if You Suspect Your Child has Been Shaken
• Used Child Safety Seats
• When Your Baby Cries, Stay Calm

In English

• 2/6 Orientation @ 9:30am

• 2/13 Orientation @ 9:30am
Class 2 Nutrition @ 11:00

• 2/20 Orientation @ 9:30am
Class 3 Labor & Delivery @ 11:00

• 2/27 Orientation @ 9:30am
Class 4 Infant Care/Breastfeeding @ 11:00

In Spanish

• 2/7 Orientation @ 9:00am
Class 2 Nutrition @ 10:30

• 2/14 Orientation @ 9:00am
Class 3 Labor & Delivery @ 10:30

• 2/28 Orientation @ 9:00am
Class 4 Infant Care/ Breastfeeding @ 10:30

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What to Do if You Suspect Your Child has Been Shaken

Signs of shaken baby syndrome may vary from mild and nonspecific to severe and immediately identifiable clinically as head trauma.

Contact emergency medical services or your doctor immediately if you suspect your child has been shaken. Immediate treatment may prevent serious permanent damage, life threatening injuries or death.

It is important to tell the doctor that your child was shaken (or suspected of being shaken). Without this knowledge, the doctor may spend precious time looking for other causes of illness or problems.

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Used Child Safety Seats

If any of these statements are true of the Child Safety Seat you are using, it should be destroyed and replaced for your child's safety:

• If you do not know the history of a used safety seat
• If the seat is more than six (6) years old (The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association recommends destroying child safety seats over six (6) years old.)
• If the seat does not have a label showing that it meets all federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
• If the seat has been recalled for a safety defect or if the defect has not been corrected
• If the seat has been involved in a vehicle crash
• If there are any cracks, bends or breaks in the plastic shell or metal frame.
• If you do not have and cannot get a copy of the manufacturer's instructions.
• If the seat does not have all its parts: harness straps, retainer clips, padding, shield, tether straps and bolts
• If the harness straps are worn or frayed or the buckle area shows signs of rust
• If the buckle mechanism latch does not remain latched or does not unlatch smoothly

You may call NHTSA's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9393 for recall information or manufacturer contact information. You may be able to obtain replacement parts from the manufacturer. NOTE: You will need the model number of the seat and the date of manufacture. www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/sesa-chk.htm.

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When Your Baby Cries, Stay Calm

Too many cases spring up where an infant is abused or shaken due to a parent or caregiver who does not know how to cope with a crying baby. Recently in the news, there was a story of a father who admitted to police that he had shaken and abused his 2-month-old baby out of frustration over his crying. The infant was taken to the hospital for treatment of serious injuries and the father was taken to jail.

This is a sad reminder to all of us how important it is to know what to do when a baby, or one we care for won’t stop crying. Knowing a baby will cry is one thing, but understanding how to care for a baby and for yourself is a whole new story. Infant crying is normal and will eventually come to an end but getting through that stage can be exhausting.

It’s important to understand some of the basics of infant crying.
• Your baby may cry more each day until they are 2-5 months old
• Crying happens most often in the evenings
• Crying can last 2-5 hours and longer at times
• Healthy crying babies can look like they are in pain, even though they may not be
• Crying may not stop no matter what you try
• Crying may come and go and you don’t know why

When a baby cries, it’s natural to see if the baby is hungry, tired or needs their diaper changed. However, this is not always the case.

Some other things you can do to help soothe a crying baby are:
• Give the baby a warm bath
• Have the baby listen to running water
• Turn on the radio or CD player
• Swaddle the baby in a soft blanket
• Take the baby outside for a walk in the fresh air
• Take the baby for a ride in the car

Every loving parent or caregiver is susceptible to becoming frustrated in caring for an inconsolable crying infant. These feelings of stress and frustration are common and do not make anyone a bad parent or caregiver. When you recognize such feelings, it’s important to stay calm, place your baby in a safe place and take time to care for yourself.

Some things you can do to remain calm are:
• Call a friend or family member
• Take a warm bath or shower
• Exercise
• Listen to some relaxing music
• Read a book
• Ask someone you trust to care for your baby while you take a break

When you’re calm, you’re much better prepared to deal with a crying baby. There may be times when nothing will calm a crying baby. Any parent or caregiver who becomes concerned with a crying infant should contact their health care provider.

Some hospitals offer classes for expectant parents providing them with education on how to care for infants and cope with crying. We are encouraged by those who are taking an active role in training parents to prepare and feel comfortable in caring for their baby. Parents and other caregivers should have a plan on how to deal with these stressful situations. Such information should always be shared with all those that care or will care for a child. Just remember, when your baby cries - stay calm. Caring for a baby can be a safe and enjoyable experience.

By Nathan Clark, National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome
For more information, visit www.dontshake.org.

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