Love will never reject others. It is the first to encourage and the last to condemn.

• Never Shake a Baby

Never Shake a Baby

If you feel angry and frustrated, don’t take it out on your baby. Shaking a baby can cause blindness, permanent brain damage, or even death.

Instead of shaking your baby, do one or more of the following:

• Take slow, deep breaths and count to 10. Better yet, count to 20 or more.

• Lay your baby down on his or her back in a crib or other safe place.

• It is OK if your baby cries while you calm down.

• Go to another room or area of the house.

• Do something physical: Shake a rug, vacuum, scrub a floor, beat a pillow.

• Call a friend or neighbor.

Foster and Adoptive Care Association of Minnesota
P.O. box 48716
Minneapolis, MN 55448-0716
612-233-3399

Articles have been reprinted from News and Views of Our Families 1992-2004