MONDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER, 2022

NHS Tayside supports national ICON Week

NHS Tayside is supporting ICON Week which aims to raise awareness of infant crying and highlight to parents and carers ways to cope with the stress associated with a crying infant.

NHS Tayside is joining other organisations in support of ICON Week which runs from 26 to 30 September.

ICON is a programme adopted by health and social care organisations in the UK to provide information to parents and carers about infant crying. This evidence-based programme consists of a series of brief interventions that reinforce the simple message making up the ICON acronym:

I - Infant crying is normal and it will stop

C - Comfort methods can sometimes soothe the baby and the crying will stop

O - It is okay to walk away for a few minutes if you have checked the baby is safe and the crying is getting to you

N - Never ever shake or hurt a baby

Most babies start to cry more frequently from two weeks of age, with a peak usually being seen around six to eight weeks.

Research suggests that some parents and caregivers can lose control when a baby’s crying becomes too much. Some may go on to shake a baby which can result in devastating consequences for the child. Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) causes catastrophic brain injuries in babies, which can lead to death, or significant long-term health and learning disabilities.

Dr Suzanne Smith, the founder of ICON, said, “Abusive head trauma can occur in any environment when a parent or carer is on the edge due to infant crying.

“The pressure that families are under is only being exacerbated by added pressures of the cost-of-living increase and the impact can be far-reaching and have devastating consequences.

“ICON is about sharing messages of support and advice to parents and carers who might be struggling to cope. We want to normalise the fact that babies do cry and some aren’t easily soothed and we want to share information far and wide about what to do in these situations and how to stay calm.”

Jayne Smith, Lead Nurse, NHS Tayside’s ICON Implementation Group said, “NHS Tayside is supporting ICON Week and raising awareness of the ICON programme. The ICON programme will be rolled out across Tayside through midwifery teams, family nurses, health visitors and GPs in November.

“ICON recognises that babies crying can be very stressful for those looking after them and we want to do as much as we can to reduce this stress. Anyone who needs help and is struggling to cope, please don’t continue to struggle. Help is available from your midwife, health visitor, family nurse or GP.

“NHS Tayside hopes that by sharing these vitally important messages and coping techniques with parents and carers, we are working towards reducing the risk of harm to babies and protecting them from AHT which is completely preventable.”

For more information, visit www.iconcope.org/iconweek2022

Contact:

Anna Michie

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138