Hi everyone- Recently I read an article on a child who died of shaken baby syndrome at the age of 3 months. And I started thinking back to the video tape that I HAD to watch before I could leave the hospital in regards to the SBS, and the one question it never answered is when a child old enough to not be at risk anymore? Maybe this a "duh lady" question, but I'm curious. I have a 2 year old daughter, and her father and her can play rough at times and swing upside down for a minute (which I always put a stop to after about 30 seconds to a minute because I don't want to take any risks). I know a child should NEVER be shaken, but when is it completely out of the question? When is my little girl no longer at risk for, lets say something less serious then what happened to the previous child, something like a learning disability as a result of her Father twirling her around to quickly and her brain moving? Please don't get me wrong and think that I'm asking "when can I shake my child" that is not the reason I'm asking by any means. I just want to know when I can feel safe from SBS, and when is there one more thing to take off the list as worry factors. Thanks for any and all input!
The other thing to watch out for is dislocation of the shoulder or elbow. Kids have soft cartilage there and so there is easier dislocation.
You should never play too rough with a child. If their heads flop back and forth they can end up with retinal detachment (which causes blindness), brain injuries, etc. Throwing them up in the air and catching them can cause both of these too. Talk to your pediatrician and describe your husband's well-meaning play, and see if your doctor thinks it's too rough. Better safe than sorry! :)
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**** Something fun AND safe you can do with your daughter is to lay a blanket flat and let her lay in the middle. Then you can each grab one end and gently swing it back and forth. It's fun and gives them that swinging motion she'll love. ****
You're not the first person to ask this question, so don't feel bad, it is age 3 like they have said, but soemthing i wanted to point out to you, while rough play is as much a cause of SBS as violence keep it in perspective, at 2 your child probally has good neck and head control and doesn't flop her head around when her and dad play, so just watch for anything that is serious enough for he little neck to be snapping back and forth, otherwise a little rough play isn't going to harm anyone.
I have always heard age 3. Another thing you need to watch out for, which my ex husband learned the hard way, is shoulder dislocation!
Amber was correct, it is age 3. you can go to www.dontshake.com for ANY answers you might be looking for!! It is a really informative site!! Hope that was helpful...
I think it is after age 3. I am not positive on this, but I think I recall hearing that age. I wondered the same thing for awhile.
personally, I think at even age three you should be careful... I would say you should just go by your own instincts, I dont like my kids getting swung around either.... lol... and they even let my husband or friends know that...
