Support your friends and family with newborn babies this ICON Week 2024
Friends and relatives of people who care for young babies in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire are being called upon to support parents and carers when their babies are crying.
As part of ICON Week 2024 (23-27 September), which is dedicated to raising awareness of infant crying and coping methods, health and care professionals want people who are close to those with young babies to help them cope with crying.
Research shows that some parents and carers of young babies can find it hard when their baby’s crying becomes too much and some go on to shake their baby, which can have devastating consequences. Shaking babies can cause head trauma, which may lead to death or long-term health and learning disabilities.
ICON is a UK-wide programme aimed at educating health and social care professionals, parents, and carers about infant crying, effective coping strategies, and how to prevent abusive head trauma. The third annual ICON Week seeks to raise awareness about these issues and support families in managing stress related to infant crying.
Toyah Carty-Moore, Designated Nurse for Safeguarding Children, at Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board, said:
“ICON helps people who care for babies to cope with crying. It’s important for people to know that infant crying is normal, comforting methods can help, it’s OK to walk away, and never ever shake a baby.
“We want people to know that it isn’t just health and care professionals that can help people with young babies, friends and relatives can help spread the ICON message too.
“Young babies do cry, and this is completely normal, and sometimes they can’t be easily soothed. We want people to know that if your baby doesn’t stop crying it’s important to stay calm. Providing your baby is well, it’s also OK to walk away for a few minutes if the baby is safe and the crying is becoming too much.
“If you or someone you know needs support, help is available from your midwife, health visitor or GP. There’s also lots of information on the ICON website. You can cope and it is completely normal for babies to cry.”
The safeguarding team at the ICB has partnered with the three local authorities to deliver ICON training to professionals and volunteers across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire including police staff, library staff, child minders, nursery workers and social workers. So far more than 150 people have been trained in 2024 and it is hoped this number will reach 350 by the end of the year.
Toyah added:
“Anyone can deliver the ICON message, once the message of ICON gets out far and wide we hope to see a reduction in the abusive head trauma in babies.”
The ICON programme is built around a simple, evidence-based acronym:
- I – Infant crying is normal and will eventually stop.
- C – Comfort methods can sometimes soothe the baby, and the crying will cease.
- O – It’s OK to walk away for a few minutes if you have ensured the baby’s safety and the crying is overwhelming.
- N – Never shake or hurt a baby.
Dr Suzanne Smith, nurse, health visitor, and founder of ICON, said:
“Abusive head trauma can occur in any setting when a parent or carer is overwhelmed by persistent crying. The additional pressures from the rising cost of living further strain families, leading to potentially devastating consequences.
“ICON’s mission is to offer support and advice to parents and carers who may be struggling. We aim to normalise the experience of infant crying, share practical information on managing stress, and ultimately reduce the risk of abusive head trauma.
“Help is available for anyone who feels overwhelmed.”
For more information about ICON, please visit www.iconcope.org.