Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma Policy

Brookline Sprouts Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma Policy

Belief Statement

We, Brookline Sprouts, believe that preventing, recognizing, responding to, and reporting shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma (SBS/AHT) is an important function of keeping children safe, protecting their healthy development, providing quality child care, and educating families.

Background  

SBS/AHT is the name given to a form of physical child abuse that occurs when an infant or small child (birth to 5 years old) is violently shaken and/or there is trauma to the head. Shaking may last only a few seconds but can result in severe injury or even death. According to the PA Department of Human Services, Caring for our Children Basics Health & Safety Foundation for Early Care and Education 3.4.4.3, each child care facility licensed to care for children up to five years of age shall develop and adopt a policy to prevent SBS/AHT.

Procedure/Practice

• Recognizing: Children and infants are observed for signs of abusive head trauma including irritability and/or high pitched crying, difficulty staying awake/lethargy or loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, inability to lift the head, seizures, lack of appetite, vomiting, bruises, poor feeding/sucking, no smiling or vocalization, inability of the eyes to track and/or decreased muscle tone. Bruises may be found on the upper arms, rib cage, or head resulting from gripping or from hitting the head.
• Responding:
  • If SBS/ABT is suspected, staff will:
  • Call 911 immediately upon suspecting SBS/AHT and inform the director.  
  • Call the parents/guardians.    
  • If the child has stopped breathing, trained staff will begin pediatric CPR.
• Reporting:
  • Instances of suspected child maltreatment in child care are reported to Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) by calling 1‐800‐859‐0829 or by emailing webmasterdcd@dhhs.nc.gov.
  • Instances of suspected child maltreatment in the home are reported to the Allegheny County Department of Social Services: (412) 473-2000 or Childline : 1-800-932-0313.

Prohibited behaviors

• Behaviors that are prohibited include (but are not limited to):
  • shaking or jerking a child.
  • tossing a child into the air or into a crib, chair, or car seat.
  • pushing a child into walls, doors, or furniture

Prevention strategies to assist staff in coping with a crying, fussing, or distraught child:

• Staff first determine if the child has any physical needs such as being hungry, tired, sick, or in need of a diaper change/to go to the bathroom. If no physical need is identified, staff will attempt one or more of the following strategies:
  • For infants and toddlers:
    • Rock the child, hold the child close, or walk with the child.
    • Stand up, hold the child close, and repeatedly bend knees.
    • Sing or talk to the child in a soothing voice.
    • Gently rub or stroke the child's back, chest, or tummy.  
    • Offer a pacifier or try to distract the child with a rattle or toy.  
    • Take the child for a ride in a stroller
    • Turn on music or white noise.
  • For older toddlers and preschoolers:
    • Ask them to use their words to describe what is upsetting them (and help/encourage them).
    • Offer a hug or to sit with them.
    • Sing or talk to the child in a soothing voice.
    • Offer Fidgets or other calming sensory objects.
    • Attempt distraction via toys or other activities.
    • Offer use of the Calm Down Area, if one is available in that room.
    • Take the child for a short walk.

Other Prevention Strategies

• For staff (which includes the operator and other administration staff who may be counted in ratio, additional caregivers, substitute providers, and uncompensated providers):
  • Allow staff who feel they may lose control to have a short, but relatively immediate break away from the children.
  • The center will make available training related to classroom management, helping children with challenging behaviors, and other related topics.
    • Staff will also have infant-specific training made available if the center enrolls infants.
  • Before caring for children birth to 5 years old, new hires/volunteers will complete training on SBS/AHT. Training includes recognizing, responding to, and reporting child abuse, neglect, or maltreatment as well as the brain development of children up to five years of age. Record of this training will be maintained in their file via an SBS/AHT Acknowledgement Form.
• Will ensure all families enrolling children 5 years old and younger have the center’s SBS/AHT policy reviewed on or before their child’s first day in care. The parent/guardian acknowledgement form will be kept in the child’s file.
• The center will provide support when parents/guardians are trying to calm a crying child and encourage parents to take a calming break if needed.

Last Update: 4-29-22