Expecting a baby can be an exciting time. Bolling Air Force Base provides prevention and education tips and tools to keep your baby safe.
Bundles for Babies is a three-hour program to help expectant parents address how to enjoy their new baby. The next program is scheduled on July 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Bolling’s Airmen & Family Readiness Center. Individuals and couples expecting a new baby can call 202-767-0457 to register. Participants are given a welcome packet for the new baby.
Topics covered include financial considerations, child care costs and other information, including shaken baby syndrome. Listening to a crying baby can be frustrating, but it is comforting to know that infant crying patterns are predictable and eventually come to an end. Common infant crying patterns include:
Crying that tends to increase and peak around 2 to 3 months of age.
Crying that occurs more often in the evening.
Crying that can continue for long periods of time, 30-40 minutes, with no apparent reason.
Crying that is intense, but does not necessarily mean that your infant is in pain. Although it looks the same, babies often cry when they’re not in pain.
Crying that continues despite the soothing efforts of the caregivers.
Intense crying periods that come and go.
What your baby does to you
Even the most kind and loving caregiver can feel frustrated by a crying baby. These feelings don’t make you a bad parent or caregiver. Feeling frustrated is very normal. If you feel yourself losing control, have a plan.
Put the baby in a safe place.
Take a moment and take care of yourself.
Call a good friend.
Listen to music.
Exercise.
What you can do
Caring for a baby can be a wonderful experience, but it can also be very frustrating when the baby won’t stop crying. The following tips can be sued to comfort your crying baby.
Give the baby a warm bath.
Have the baby listen to and watch the running water.
Turn up the volume slightly on a radio or CD player.
Take the baby outside or for a walk in the fresh air.
Take the baby for a ride in the car.
Dance with the baby.
Myths about shaken babysyndrome
Shaking an infant can cause bleeding within the child’s brain and eyes and massive brain swelling. The injuries of shaken baby syndrome occur when a child is violently shaken. Everyday handling of a child, playful acts or minor household accidents do not cause the forces necessary to create these injuries. Shaking injuries are not caused by:
Bouncing a baby on your knee
Tossing a baby in the air
Jogging or bicycling with a baby
Falls off furniture
Sudden stops in a car or driving over bumps
Never shake a baby. If you need to talk to someone, call Military OneSource at 800-342-9647 or visit www.militaryonesource.com, or go the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome at www.dontshake.org.
Persons may also contact the Bolling Family Advocacy office located at 238 Brookley Ave., Building 1300, Ste. 259. For more information or support, call 202-404-3622.
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