When a baby is vigorously shaken it causes the head to jolt back and forth. A baby's neck muscles are not strong enough to support the head causing a whiplash effect.

Serious damage can happen in just a few seconds. Injury can include bleeding and swelling in the head resulting in brain injury and death. The types of injury shaking a baby (even one time) can cause are mental retardation, seizures, blindness, hearing loss, coma, and paralysis.

Sometimes parents become so frustrated with their baby's crying that they shake them until he or she stops crying.

The New Parent Support Program wants you to know that some babies will cry three to five hours a day, sometimes referred to as the Period of Purple Crying.

It is normal for a new parent to feel helpless and angry at times. Almost every parent experiences these feelings.

However, no matter how frustrated you get,

never shake a baby (www.dontshake.com).

Some suggestions from the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome suggest that you:

* Make sure he/she is fed, burped, and dry. * Gently hold and rock your baby to try and soothe him/her.

* Take him/her for a walk in the stroller or a ride in the car.

* Play music or sing to him/her.

* Check for signs of injury, rash, teething, or fever and call the doctor if you think your baby is sick.

* Give him/her a pacifier or a noise making toy.

* Place the baby safely in his/her crib, take a deep breath and count slowly to 20.

* Ask a friend or Family member to watch your baby to give you a break.

* Remind yourself that the crying will end.

The Army Community Service NPSP, strives to strengthen military Families and increase skills needed to provide safe homes for children. Services include in-home support and education, classroom education, supervised playtime for children, role modeling and mentoring, respite care, and referrals as needed to appropriate military and civilian agencies. These services are provided to expectant and new Families with children 5 years and younger. If you are interested in learning more about the NPSP services or more about Shaken Baby Syndrome, call (706) 791- 3579.

For more information visit the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome website at www.dontshake.com and http:// preventchildabuse.com/sbs.shtml.