Child abuse is more than a bruise

The behaviour of a baby that doesn´t speak yet tell us more than a thousand words. Learn to listen it and take measures on time.

The first childhood abuse is a special care problem because a baby is defenseless and can´t communicate effectively what´s happen or his fears. For that reason we should read the warning signs to identify an abuse situation on time. This issue goes further, because a baby receives mistreatment also when he is exposed to screaming, insults, shakes, aggressive, or indifference from the carer. The neglectful treatment and abandonment are also abuse forms.

A baby can´t speak but…

These are some signals of mistreatment in a child. If a baby...

• Shows fear, anguish or extreme reactions when he is going to see the carer.
• Presents bruises, ecchymosis (yellow marks) or hit signals.
• Is demanding excessive attention of the parents.
• Loses his appetite.
• Has troubles sleeping or wants to sleep all the time.
• Has genital pain.
• Presents urinary tract infections.
• Suffers diarrhoea or inexplicable fever.
• Presents wounds or indents in the genital area; in this cases we need to find help immediately.

How can you avoid this situation?

• The kid needs adequate and lovely corporal contact and lovely speaking.
• The abuse could be more frequent in unwanted pregnancy or when the mother is too young, because the baby is seen as a hindrance. In these cases the grandparents and uncles should be in constant observation.
• The abuser could be another child like brother or sister, in this case is important to work to eliminate the jealousy.
• You can install cameras without notification to the carer.
• Training carers and parents in child development, no violent discipline methods and capacity problems solution,

Translated by Claudia Fierro, of the article: El maltrato infantile es más que un moretón. Font: ElEspectador.com (http://www.elespectador.com/revistas/bebe/articulo-357769-el-maltrato-%E2%80%A9infantil-mas-%E2%80%A9un-moreton)