Couple walking away from baby in crib, holding each other
Safety

Shaken Baby Syndrome: Making a Calm-Down Plan Before You Need It

April 2, 2026

Key takeaways: Shaking a baby, even briefly, can cause brain injury, blindness, disability, or death. Crying is the most common trigger. It’s OK to put your baby down safely and walk away to calm down. Make a plan and share it with every caregiver.

Abusive head trauma, often called shaken baby syndrome, is a leading cause of child abuse deaths in the United States. Most cases happen in babies under 1, often during the peak crying period around 6 to 8 weeks. It’s preventable.

Why It Happens

Infant crying can be intense and persistent, and it can trigger frustration, anger, and helplessness in even the most loving caregivers. Exhaustion, stress, and lack of support make it harder to stay calm. Many cases involve a parent’s partner or another caregiver.

Why Shaking Is So Dangerous

Babies have large heads and weak neck muscles. Shaking causes the brain to move inside the skull, tearing blood vessels and nerves. Injuries can include:

  • Bleeding in the brain.
  • Bleeding in the eyes and blindness.
  • Seizures.
  • Learning disabilities and cerebral palsy.
  • Death.

Even a few seconds of shaking can cause severe injury.

Understanding Normal Crying

Crying typically increases from around 2 weeks, peaks around 6 to 8 weeks, and decreases by 3 to 4 months. It can last hours, often in the evening, and may not respond to soothing. This normal phase is called the Period of PURPLE Crying.

Make a Calm-Down Plan

  1. Check basic needs: hungry? dirty diaper? too hot or cold? sick?
  2. Try soothing: hold, rock, walk, shush, swaddle (if not rolling), offer a pacifier, or go outside.
  3. If you feel frustrated or angry, put your baby down safely on their back in a crib or bassinet.
  4. Walk away. Close the door. Go to another room.
  5. Calm yourself: take deep breaths, drink water, step outside, listen to music, or call someone.
  6. Check on your baby every 5 to 10 minutes.
  7. Call for help: a partner, friend, family member, or your doctor.

It’s OK to let your baby cry in a safe place while you take a break. Crying won’t hurt your baby. Shaking will.

Share Your Plan

Talk with everyone who cares for your baby: partners, grandparents, babysitters, childcare providers, and older siblings. Tell them:

  • Crying is normal.
  • It’s OK to put the baby down and walk away.
  • Never shake a baby.
  • Call you anytime.

Get Support

  • Ask friends or family for help with nights or breaks.
  • Talk to your pediatrician if crying seems excessive.
  • If you feel overwhelmed, depressed, or anxious, call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262).
  • The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-422-4453) offers support for parents and caregivers.

Call 911 or go to the emergency room if your baby: is very sleepy, hard to wake, vomiting, has a seizure, trouble breathing, or unusual behavior after any concern about shaking or head injury. Getting care quickly matters.

The Bottom Line

Crying is normal; frustration is normal. Shaking is never okay. Make a calm-down plan, share it with every caregiver, and remember: it’s okay to put your baby down safely and take a break.

Want more support for your baby’s first year? My book, From First Breath to First Birthday, is available on Amazon.

Related Articles

Sources

  1. Narang SK, Fingarson A, Lukefahr J; Council on Child Abuse and Neglect. Abusive head trauma in infants and children. Pediatrics. 2020;145(4):e20200203.
  2. National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome. The Period of PURPLE Crying. https://www.purplecrying.info
  3. Barr RG, Rivara FP, Barr M, et al. Effectiveness of educational materials designed to change knowledge and behaviors regarding crying and shaken-baby syndrome in mothers of newborns: a randomized, controlled trial. Pediatrics. 2009;123(3):972-980.
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preventing abusive head trauma in children. https://www.cdc.gov/child-abuse-neglect
  5. Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline. https://www.childhelphotline.org

This article is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always talk with your baby’s health care provider or your own provider about your specific situation. If you think your baby or you may have a medical emergency, call 911.

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