Infant Crying and How to Cope – ICON
ICON - Overview
ICON is a programme aimed to support and help parents and carers cope with young babies and infant crying. It helps you to understand the normal crying patterns of babies and young infants and supports with a range of strategies to support you through this.
It is completely natural for babies to cry frequently, and you are not alone when dealing with this situation. It is important to remember that whilst it may increase, it normally peaks around 6 to 8 weeks, where babies will start to cry less.
The ICON programme delivers four simple messages before the birth and in the first few months of a baby’s life:
I - Infant crying is normal.
C - Comforting methods can help.
O - It’s OK to walk away.
N - Never, ever shake a baby.
It’s always OK to ask for help. If you are worried about a crying baby speak to:
- Family and friends
- Health Visitor
- Midwife
- GP
Why do babies cry?
Babies cry when they need a parent or a carer to help them. This is their way of asking for help. Babies can cry for many reasons. It could be their way of telling you they are tired, hungry, wet or simply cannot settle.
Experts suggest that after the age of 5 months a baby is more likely to be crying for a specific reason.
A crying baby is normal, and babies start to cry more frequently from 2 weeks of age.
How to sooth a baby
There are lots of calming techniques, some of these may work and some may not. This can be frustrating for you but remember to stay calm and understand this is normal and this phase will pass.
Try the following:
- Talk calmly to your baby
- Stroke them rhythmically
- Hum or sing to them
- Hold them close
- Walk around while gently rocking your baby, if you can go outside take them for a walk in their pushchair or baby sling
- A dummy, bottle or sucking a breast can also sooth a baby
- Give them a warm bath.
Remember not all of these will work with your baby but don't be disheartened, stay calm this will pass.
If your baby crying is getting to you, put your baby in a safe and calm environment and just walk away. Once you are calm, go back and check on your baby.
Never, ever shake a baby it can cause lasting brain damage or death.
About - ICON Cope follow this link which will take you to the image below.
Click the letters for more information
By clicking on each letter, you are taken to lots of helpful strategies you can try.
Further information and links to videos available on the Icon website: