Information for people who look after babies: ICON & Safer Sleep
When babies cry it can be stressful and overwhelming. Help is out there, all you need to do is ask, speak to your midwife, GP or health visitor.
ICON - "Baby's cry, you can cope"
ICON is all about helping people who care for babies to cope with crying.
Infant crying is normal, but it’s understandable that it can be difficult to cope if your baby is crying often. Try to remember the ICON acronym, which stands for:
I – infant crying is normal
C – comforting methods can help
O – It’s okay to walk away
N – never, ever shake a baby
For further support, speak to someone such as your family, friends, Midwife, GP or Health Visitor. You can also visit the ICON website or ICON Facebook page for more information, or watch and listen to the video below.
Safer Sleep
This advice should be followed at all nap times, not just overnight sleeps:
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Always place your baby on their back to sleep, with their feet at the foot of the cot. The safest place for your baby to sleep for their first 6 months is in a cot or Moses basket in the same room as you.
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Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress that is clean and in good condition.
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Keep your baby smoke free during pregnancy and after birth. For help and advice speak to your midwife or GP.
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Breastfeed, if you can. For help and advice, you can speak to your midwife or GP.
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Never sleep on a sofa or in an armchair with your baby.
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Don’t cover your baby’s face or head while sleeping or use loose bedding.
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Don’t sleep in the same bed as your baby if you smoke, drink, take drugs or medication that may make you drowsy, or if your baby was born prematurely or was of low birth weight.
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Avoid letting your baby get too hot. A room temperature of 16-20°C, with light bedding or a lightweight well-fitting baby sleep bag is comfortable and safe for sleeping babies.
More Information for Parents
The Lullaby Trust is a national charity that provides specialist support for bereaved families and promotes expert advice on safer baby sleep and raises awareness on sudden infant death.
For links to download all of The Lullaby Trust free resources and translations of the Easy Read Card into languages other than English, visit The Lullaby Trust publications page on their website.