Preventing harm to babies: ICON & Safe Sleep
Research points to persistent crying in babies being a potential trigger for some parents/care givers to lose control and shake a baby. It also shows that around 70% of babies who are shaken are shaken by men. So any prevention programme should include male caregivers and use the best opportunities to reach them as well as support all parents/caregivers with information about crying and how to cope with a crying baby.
In Cheshire West & Chester we have had Thematic Reviews where babies have been harmed as a result of shaking. Part of the learning has been to ensure every practitioner knows about the ICON messages and can offer advice to a parent or carer.
ICON - What is ICON?
ICON is a programme of intervention to prevent Abusive Infant Head Trauma. Research suggests that some parents/caregivers lose control when a baby’s crying becomes too much. The Babies Cry, You Can Cope (ICON) programme provides a simple, consistent message to support parents/caregivers to cope with a crying baby.
The ICON Acronym & Resources for Professionals
Infant crying is normal and it will stop
Comfort methods will sometimes soothe the baby and the crying will stop
OK to walk away if you have checked the baby is safe and the crying is getting to you
Never shake or hurt a baby
- Remind parents / carers of the dangers of violently shaking a baby
- Discuss triggers and strategies for coping with crying
- Share posters, leaflets resources in your setting Resources | ICON (iconcope.org)
- Include fathers in your discussions
Key touch points were identified to try to capture fathers as often they are excluded when key information is discussed. ICON is inclusive of both fathers and mothers in providing them with the information, advice, and support at a time when many new parents feel overwhelmed.
There is father specific information provided by ICON in video form.
ICON also supports the providers of the DADPAD APP which is male specific and includes information and advice for fathers on ICON and coping with crying and self-care. https://thedadpad.co.uk/
Parents are encouraged to discuss and share ICON information with other key carers for their baby.