Keeping Our Children Safe
Essential Tips
for parents &
caregivers
•
It is normal to feel frustrated when
a baby or young child cries – but NO
ONE should EVER shake or harm a
baby or young child.
•
If you are feeling frustrated or angry
– take a break. It’s OK to leave the
baby in a safe place while you take a
moment to regroup. Remember the
safe place ABCs of Alone, on the
Back and in a Crib.
•
Use care when deciding who can
watch your child. If you don’t have
good reason to have total and
complete trust in the person, then
don’t trust him or her with
your child.
•
•
Burns on a young baby or child,
such as those caused by cigarettes
or immersion in hot water, are also
warning signs for child abuse. If you
see burns on a young baby or child,
seek immediate medical attention.
•
If you suspect that a particular
situation may involve child abuse,
contact the appropriate state
agency immediately. In Kentucky,
call 877-597-2331. In Indiana, call
800-800-5556.
•
More information and resources are
available from Prevent Child Abuse
Kentucky, 800-244-5373,
www.pcaky.org, or Prevent Child
Abuse Indiana, 317-775-6434,
www.pcain.org.
The responsibilities of parenting can be daunting for anyone, and even more
so for single mothers who depend on reliable and affordable child care so that
they can go to work or school. But when it comes to child abuse, the reality
is that by far the greatest risk factor is leaving a child with an unrelated male
caregiver. Moms should be aware that the risk of a child dying as a result of child
abuse is up to 50 times higher for children living in a single-parent home with
an unrelated adult caregiver – and 80 percent of those deaths are at the hands
of the mother’s boyfriend, according to Sandra Herr, MD, medical director of
the emergency department at Kosair Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Herr explained that there could be several reasons for these staggering
statistics. First, boyfriends or husbands who are not the child’s father do not
have a parental bond with the child. Second, many of these men either did not
intend to be parents or supervising young children at this point in their lives and
are unprepared for that role. “They don’t necessarily have realistic expectations
of what an infant or child can and can’t do,” Dr. Herr said. Third, the child was
conceived in a prior intimate relationship and demands much of the mother’s
attention, which can lead to jealousy.
What are other marks of an unsafe caregiver? Childhelp, which operates a
national child abuse hotline, offers these warning signs:
•
•
•
•
•
Violent and/or controlling with their partner or others
Physically or verbally abusive with children
Abuses alcohol or other drugs, including marijuana
Uses prescription medications that have bad side effects or make
them drowsy
Not open and honest about what they did during the time with your child
“If he has already been violent with the mother or she’s witnessed him being
violent or aggressive with the child or another child – that’s a huge red flag,”
Dr. Herr said. “The myth of domestic violence is that it is a one-time event and
isn’t going to happen again.”
Single mothers must have honest conversations with their boyfriends about the
topic of child abuse. “To not address the fact that this is a high-risk situation is
probably the biggest mistake that people can make,” Dr. Herr said. The mother
should convey her expectations for how the boyfriend should respond to crying
or potty training accidents and what kinds of discipline are acceptable. There
should be a plan that allows the boyfriend to call for help if he is losing control.
“It’s OK to set the child down in a safe place and walk away,” Dr. Herr said. “That’s
preferable to shaking or hurting the child.”
Furthermore, mothers can talk to their pediatricians about child care options
or community resources like parenting education that boyfriends can access.
If a mother notices any of the subtle signs of child abuse, she should act
immediately to keep her child safe. Early recognit ion of abuse is key.
6
Bruising is an important warning
sign of child abuse for infants and
children. For a non-mobile infant,
bruising of ANY KIND is not normal.
For a child of any age, bruising to
the ears, neck, torso, buttocks or
genitals should raise concerns. If
you see bruising, seek immediate
medical attention for your infant
or child.
What Mothers Need to Know
Cut out the information to the left and place it somewhere you will see it often.
Vital Signs Volume 8 • Issue 1