For Immediate Release March 3, 2008                               
Contact: Corey Welford/Jessica Venezia 617-679-6522

Leone, Winchester Hospital, Child Advocates Launch New Initiative To Prevent Instances Of Shaken Baby Syndrome
Winchester Hospital Is First Hospital To Implement Program In Eastern Massachusetts; Additional Programs To Be Launched In Hospitals Throughout Middlesex County

WINCHESTER – Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone, Winchester Hospital executives, Massachusetts Citizens for Children, and other health care providers joined together today to announce a comprehensive initiative to educate parents of newborn children on strategies to prevent instances of Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS).

The press conference, held at Winchester Hospital, featured remarks from District Attorney Leone, Massachusetts Citizens for Children (MCC) Executive Director Jetta Bernier, Winchester Hospital Chief Medical Officer Dr. Richard Iseke, and Winchester Hospital Medical Director Dr. Karen McAlmon. Also in attendance at the press conference were members of other Middlesex county hospitals who intend to implement a SBS program. Winchester Hospital is the first hospital in Eastern Massachusetts to implement this comprehensive program.

The speakers outlined the program, designed by MCC, in which parents of all newborn children undergo individual training sessions by hospital nurses on the dangers of SBS and strategies for its prevention. All this is done before they leave the hospital with their newborn. Winchester Hospital began training for this program in its facility in January and will implement it beginning today.

Other hospitals from throughout Middlesex County, brought together through District Attorney Leone’s Healthcare Task Force, are expected to soon implement similar programs. Those Middlesex hospitals expected to implement the program include: Cambridge Hospital, Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, Emerson Hospital, Mount Auburn Hospital, Lowell General Hospital, and Saints Memorial Hospital. Others may also join the program.

Those hospitals combined house more than 12,000 births every year, approximately 15% of the births in the state of Massachusetts.

“As a prosecutor, I have seen first-hand the tragic impact instances of Shaken Baby Syndrome have had on parents and families,” District Attorney Leone said. “The reality is that each and every instance of Shaken Baby Syndrome is a purely preventable tragedy. That is why this program is so important - it educates parents and caretakers of newborn babies at the earliest possible stage on the dangers of SBS and provides them with strategies to cope with the challenges of raising newborn children. I want to commend the work of Citizens for Children and Winchester Hospital, as well as the other hospitals that are working with us and intend to join this initiative.”

“Each case of SBS is not only a tragedy for the child and family, but for our society as a whole. Children hold such promise for the future, and we should do everything we can to protect them,” said Dr. McAlmon, medical director of Winchester Hospital’s Level IIB Special Care Nursery and president of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “Any parent or child caregiver, no matter what race or socioeconomic status, potentially can reach the frustration point that puts a child at risk for SBS. Raising awareness through education about the issue and the strategies and resources available to prevent SBS is important and effective in reducing its incidence. Winchester Hospital is taking a leadership role to help prevent the senseless tragedies caused by SBS.”

“Educating parents of newborns about the latest on infant crying and a range of infant soothing techniques is the most effective way to reduce SBS, a tragic yet preventable form of physical child abuse,” said Jetta Bernier, Director of Massachusetts Citizens for Children and its Shaken Baby Prevention Center. “The most life-saving message parents need to know is that when soothing doesn’t always work and they are feeling frustrated or angry from the crying, it’s okay to step away, right away, and calm down. They should gently place the baby in his or her crib, go to another room away from the crying and take care of themselves. No baby has ever died from crying, but babies do die from shaking and slamming injuries caused by parents and caregivers who didn’t know it was okay to step away and take a break.”

Infants suffer the highest mortality rate of any group from child abuse, with 43% of the victims under the age of one. Each year across the country, 1200 - 1600 children are injured by violent shaking or impact. Approximately 25% of those children die each year while many others live with life-long complications. The number one reason a baby is shaken is because he or she is crying. Young men are involved in up to 75% of reported shaking cases.

Since 2001, Middlesex County alone has had five children under the age of 11-months old die from shaking-related injuries, with many more suffering long-term injuries.

The in-hospital SBS program developed by MCC and being implemented by Winchester Hospital features a direct conversation with parents of newborn children while they are still in the hospital’s maternity unit. Nurses in the unit are trained on how to educate parents on strategies to deal with infant crying. The training of parents of newborns includes one-on-one instruction by the nurse. Parents also view a brief video and receive a comprehensive brochure about infant crying, soothing and the dangers of infant shaking. (A PDF of the brochure is attached with this press release.) Parents who complete the program must also agree to educate all other caregivers of their children on the dangers of SBS.

There is clear statistical evidence that demonstrates that SBS programs are effective in preventing child injuries or death. SBS cases were reduced by 47% over five years after a Western New York State In-Hospital Program was implemented. In the three years that the MCC program has been implemented in Worcester County, there have been zero instances of SBS of children who were part of the program. Prior to the program, there had been six cases of SBS.

Since taking office, District Attorney Leone has brought together a collaboration of health care providers, hospitals, and service agencies such as the Department of Social Services and Department of Public Health as part of a Healthcare Task Force in Middlesex County. Through the program, the group has been able to partner together to share information and implement initiatives to better protect patients under their care. The SBS program is the first such collaboration to be launched by members of the Task Force. The group is also discussing other ways that Task Force members can launch similar initiatives to address other issues such as elder abuse and domestic violence.

The following is information and advice for new parents to prevent instances of SBS:

When Your Baby Cries
Crying is a baby’s way of communicating his or her needs. Babies don’t cry to make their parents angry or frustrated. Babies just cry, sometimes a lot, and if you know that, it can make it much easier to get through the difficult times.
Infant crying usually begins to increase at 2 weeks of age, peaks around 2 months and gradually starts to decrease after that. Crying, even a lot of crying is normal in our culture. Bouts of a half-hour or more, totaling 2 to 3 hours a day, can occur with some babies. This can be distressing, especially when infants are difficult to soothe.
Crying can happen for no clear reason and can be unpredictable. Knowing about infant soothing and support from family and friends can be especially important for you and your baby at this time.

Soothing Your Baby
Sometimes babies cry because they just need some comfort. Here are soothing tips that many parents report help them comfort their crying babies:
First, try Swaddling: Wrap your fussy baby with arms down in a light blanket. Don’t overheat your baby or put him to sleep with loose blankets that can wrap around the face.
Next, try Side or Stomach Position: When your baby is fussy, you might find she calms faster if you hold her in your arms, or on your lap on her side or stomach. When putting her to sleep, however, never place her on her stomach or side – only on her back. This will greatly reduce the risk of SIDS.
Now you’re ready for Shushing: Make a shushing sound louder than the baby’s crying so you’ll be sure she can hear you, or turn on a hair dryer safely away from the baby. You can buy a “white noise” machine or CD of these sounds to play for your fussy baby or to help her sleep.
Next is Swinging: Babies love motion like rocking chairs and going for walks. Wear your baby in a cloth sling or baby holder. When your little one gets upset, hold him close, support his head, and try a little dancing. Fussy babies love tiny movements.

Above All Else, Never Shake A Baby
Sometimes babies will cry, no matter what you do. It doesn’t mean that you’re a bad parent, or not good at soothing your infant. If the crying is getting to you and you’re beginning to feel upset by it, here is some advice:
Gently place your infant in the crib on his or her back. Go to another room, away from the crying. You know that it’s okay to step away, right away, and calm down.   
Never pick up your baby if you are feeling frustrated or angry for any reason.
Sit or lie down, close your eyes, and relax. Slowly count to ten. Do some deep breathing. Do anything that you find helps you relax. Check the baby ever y 15 minutes or so, but only if you are calm.
Call 1-800-632-8188, the free, 24-hour Massachusetts Parental Stress Line. Trained and caring staff are waiting to give you support and good adv ice.
Remember – If you ever feel like shaking, slamming, hitting, throwing, or yelling at your baby, stop what you’re doing. Take a few deep breaths, gently place your baby in the crib, then step away, right away, and calm down. Remember that even a lot of crying is normal and that you and your baby will get through this.

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