Shaken baby
7-minute read
If you think a baby has been shaken, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance or take the baby to the nearest emergency department as soon as possible.
Key facts
- Nobody should ever shake a baby.
- Shaking a baby can cause severe bleeding in the brain, leading to brain damage and even death.
- Crying is a normal behaviour of young infants, but it can cause a lot of distress for parents and other caregivers.
- If your baby suddenly starts to cry a lot for no apparent reason or cannot be settled, see your doctor immediately.
- If you feel distressed and overwhelmed about caring for your baby, seek help from your doctor or family health nurse.
What is shaken baby syndrome?
Shaken baby syndrome refers to head, neck or brain injury that happens when a baby is shaken on purpose. It is very easy to hurt a baby. It only takes 1 or 2 hard shakes to seriously hurt an infant.
Babies have large and heavy heads in proportion to their bodies, and their necks are relatively weak. They cannot control their head movement as easily as older children or adults. If you shake a baby, their head will move backward and forward very quickly. This action can shake the brain and is critically dangerous.
Rough play, such as tossing your baby in the air or onto a soft bed, can be as dangerous as the act of shaking them in anger or frustration.
No parent or other caregiver should ever shake a baby.
Why does shaken baby syndrome happen?
Many parents and caregivers experience exhaustion and frustration.
At times, you might be tempted to shake your crying baby, especially if the crying never seems to stop. It's important to remember that shaking your baby can cause serious damage to your baby's brain.
If caring for your baby is making you feel overwhelmed and highly stressed and you think you're in danger of shaking your baby, or a baby in your care, here's what to do:
- Put the baby in a safe place, such as a cot.
- Walk out of hearing range for a while.
- Calm down.
- Ask for help.
Ask family and friends for help, and to give you a break. Talking about how you feel with someone you trust can sometimes make you feel less stressed.
It might help to talk to your local nurse or doctor or contact Pregnancy Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436 — they are available for advice and support 7 days a week.
Why does my baby cry so much?
Crying is a normal behaviour in young infants. Babies often cry a lot in the first weeks of life, especially around 6 to 8 weeks of age. Babies usually cry less by the time they are around 3 to 4 months of age.
Your 6- to 8-week-old baby can cry on average for 2 to 3 hours per day. This is completely normal but can make you feel exhausted and distressed.
While crying is normal behaviour in young infants, sometimes crying can be a sign that something is wrong. If your baby suddenly starts crying and seems irritable, there might be a medical cause. They may have an injury or illness that you can't see (for example, a hernia or ear infection) or another medical cause.
If your baby suddenly starts to cry a lot for no apparent reason and cannot be settled, see your doctor immediately.
What can I do if my baby won't stop crying?
There are a few things you can try if your baby won't stop crying.
First, check if the crying is due to something straightforward:
- Is your baby hungry or thirsty?
- Does your baby need a nappy change?
- Does your baby have fever?
- Is your baby teething?
- Is your baby overtired?
If there is no obvious cause and the crying continues, try to calm the baby by cuddling, massaging, rocking them in a pram, or talking or singing while holding them close.
If you can, ask others to help you. This might be your partner, your family, or a friend or a trusted neighbour.
Tips to settle a crying baby - video
Video provided by Raising Children Network.
How can I tell if a baby has been shaken?
It can be very hard to know if a baby has been shaken.
The signs may include:
- drowsiness
- tremors
- difficulty breathing or feeding
- vomiting
- pale or blue-coloured skin
The injury can be life-threatening and the baby is at risk of permanent brain damage.
If you think a baby has been shaken, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance or take the baby to the nearest emergency department as soon as possible.
What happens if you shake your baby?
Even a couple of rough shakes can make your baby's brain slam into the hard bone of their skull, causing bleeding and injury.
Shaken babies can end up with brain-related problems including:
- blindness
- deafness
- seizures
- difficulty eating or swallowing
- learning, behavioural and speech difficulties
If the shaking is severe enough, the baby might die.
Resources and support
For more information about the symptoms, diagnosis and long-term effects of abusive head trauma see the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network website.
For more information about normal crying in babies and how to settle a crying baby see the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network website.
Speak to a maternal child health nurse
Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.
Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: February 2024
