Health and care partners across South Yorkshire are working together to support parents and carers to cope with their baby’s crying to help prevent traumatic head injuries.
Following a month-long local media campaign, NHS South Yorkshire will be continuing to support the ICON approach throughout September in the lead up to ICON Week 2023.
ICON Week, which runs from 25-29 September, aims to raise awareness of infant crying and how parents and carers can cope with it, in order to help prevent serious injury, illness and even death which can result from adults not knowing how to soothe or otherwise safely attend to crying babies.
ICON advises parents and carers that:
I - Infant crying is normal
C - Comforting methods can help
O - It’s ok to walk away
N - Never ever shake a baby
Studies show a key ‘trigger’ to a baby being shaken is a caregiver’s inability to stop an infant crying.
Abusive Head Trauma (AHT), also known as "shaken baby syndrome", causes catastrophic brain injuries, which can lead to death, or significant long term health and learning disabilities. AHT is not restricted to specific socio-economic groups and can occur in any environment when a parent or carer is struggling to cope.
ICON supports parents in coping with their own emotions and stress, helps with planning ahead, developing a ‘coping with crying plan’ with parents.
Sue Cassin, Chief Nurse for Rotherham at NHS South Yorkshire, said: “Many parents struggle with their baby crying and can feel they are alone, but it is important to ask for help.”
“You must never shake a baby. Shaking a baby can cause lasting brain damage or death.”
"The ICON approach aims to teach techniques to soothe a baby. It reassures parents and carers that as long they have checked the baby is safe, if the crying is getting to them, it is ok to walk away and return a few moments later when they are calmer.”
It's okay to ask for help and support if you need it. If you feel like you can't copy with your baby's crying, speak to:
- Friends and family
- Your Health Visitor
- Your midwife
- Your GP
- Your local Children’s Centre
There are lots of resources available on the ICON website, including top tips for staying calm. ICON Week 2023 is from 25-29 September. For more information on the upcoming ICON Week 2023, visit their website at www.iconcope.org
People can also get help from the following:
- Light pre and postnatal support Tel: 0114 4388962 https://lightpeersupport.org.uk/
- Early Help Front Door, if you have a concern about a family member and need support.
Tel: 0114 203 7485 - CRY-SIS National Help line, 8451 228 669 (Lines open 7 days a week 9am-10pm)
- NSPCC, Tel: 0808 800 5000 or Online: www.nspcc.org.uk
- ICON national campaign website: https://iconcope.org/uk