Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome in Ohio: A Call for Education, Support, and Policy Action

By Dominique Johnson, Policy Associate 

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May is Shaken Baby Awareness Month — a time to spotlight a deeply preventable but devastating form of infant injury: Shaken Baby Syndrome, or Abusive Head Trauma (AHT). While awareness and education are important, they’re not enough on their own. If we are serious about preventing shaken baby injuries in Ohio, we must pair that awareness with real, consistent, and equitable support for parents and caregivers, especially in the earliest and most stressful days of their child’s life. 

Shaken Baby Syndrome occurs when an infant or young child is shaken out of intense frustration or stress. This act, even if brief, can cause the brain to move back and forth within the skull, leading to permanent brain damage, seizures, blindness, or even death The most common trigger is inconsolable crying. While crying is a normal and expected part of infant development, it’s one that can become a tipping point when caregivers are sleep-deprived, isolated, or unsupported. 

In 2016, 78% of shaken baby allegations in Ohio were substantiated or indicated, with nearly half involving parents, most between 20 and 24 years old. These are not bad or uncaring parents—these are often young adults navigating an intense and emotional time in their lives without enough support. Fetal development and birth outcomes are inextricably linked to a mother’s physical and mental health, creating a thin margin for error. Nearly 1 in 10 women aged 18 and older report experiencing postpartum depression, yet less than half of those diagnosed receive counseling or treatment. For those with a predisposition to mental health challenges, the constant pressure to “do it all” during the perinatal period can heighten the risk of emotional distress. This makes early parenthood not just a time of transition, but a critical period where mental health vulnerabilities can surface or worsen, especially without strong support systems in place. 

Know the Signs 

In addition to prevention, it’s important for caregivers and community members to understand how to recognize the warning signs of Shaken Baby Syndrome. In many cases, symptoms can be subtle or confused with other health issues, making early recognition critical for protecting a child’s health. 

Common signs of Shaken Baby Syndrome include: 

• Difficulty staying awake or extreme tiredness 

• Trouble breathing or irregular breathing 

• Vomiting for no clear reason 

• Poor feeding or difficulty swallowing 

• Seizures or convulsions 

• Bruising around the arms, chest, or head 

• Unresponsiveness or coma 

These signs don’t confirm abuse, but they signal that something may be wrong and that a child needs immediate medical attention. When caregivers have the knowledge and support to manage stress and understand what’s normal and what’s not, the risk of harm decreases dramatically. 

State Policy: An Important Tool to Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome 

Ohio passed Claire’s Law in 2007, requiring providers to educate new parents about the dangers of violent infant shaking. This information is vital, but information alone won’t keep babies safe. We cannot expect families to navigate the most difficult moments of early parenthood with education alone. They need systems of support that meet them where they are and walk alongside them, especially in the postpartum period. 

Two of the most powerful tools we have to prevent shaken baby injuries are home visiting and access to high-quality child care—but far too few families can access them when they need them most. 

• Home Visiting Programs like Help Me Grow  offer trusted, in-home support to parents of young children. Trained professionals coach caregivers on how to respond safely to crying, manage stress, and create nurturing routines. They also connect families to essential services, including mental health care and parenting support. These programs are especially impactful for young or first-time parents who may not have other reliable sources of guidance. Yet despite their proven effectiveness, only 8.8% of families eligible for home visiting in Ohio are currently able to access it—leaving thousands without the support that could help prevent crisis. 

• High-Quality, Affordable Child Care gives parents peace of mind and reduces daily stress, ensuring that babies are cared for in safe, developmentally appropriate environments. But Ohio ranks last in the nation (51st out of 50 states and D.C.) for eligibility for child care subsidies based on income. As a result, families are often left with few options. One in three parents report difficulty finding child care, and 15% say their care is unreliable increasing the likelihood that infants may be placed with informal or underprepared caregivers who aren’t equipped to safely manage a fussy or crying baby. 

To prevent harm and support healthy development, we must expand access to these foundational supports for families during the earliest and most vulnerable stages of life. 

If we want to reduce shaken baby injuries in Ohio, we must treat this as a policy issue, not just a parenting issue. This means: 

• Fully funding and expanding evidence-based home visiting programs, with a focus on reaching communities most at risk. 

• Investing in the child care workforce and increasing affordability and access for families with infants. 

• Improving postpartum mental health screening and services to reduce stress and support emotional well-being. 

• Delivering clear, consistent public education that crying is normal, help is available, and no parent has to go through it alone. 

At Groundwork Ohio, we believe that every baby deserves to grow up safe and healthy and every parent deserves support, not judgment. This Shaken Baby Awareness Month, we urge policymakers, community leaders, and advocates to move beyond awareness and toward action. Because preventing harm isn’t just possible, it’s necessary. 

Learn more about Groundwork Ohio’s advocacy for the state operating budget HERE. 

View the Ohio Department of Children and Youth’s work on Shaken Baby Syndrome HERE.