Menu

Royal Preston Hospital launch initiative to support parents with infant crying

Posted on - 6th October, 2020 - 7:00pm | Author - | Posted in - Health, Preston News
Entrance to Royal Preston Hospital Pic: Blog Preston
Entrance to Royal Preston Hospital Pic: Blog Preston

The maternity team at Royal Preston Hospital has launched a new programme to support parents and care givers with practical support and safe coping strategies for when a baby/infant is crying frequently.

Advertisement

The ICON programme was an idea made reality by Dr Suzanne Smith PhD.

Advertisements
Preston Weekender advert
ICON is helping new parents with crying infants

ICON aims to provide simple, evidence-based support to parents and care givers who may be struggling with infant crying, to help them cope and to prevent serious incidents.

One of Dr Smith’s areas of study was the prevention of Abusive Head Trauma (AHT). Research suggests that some care givers can lose control when a baby’s crying becomes too much, and some can go on to shake a baby.

A crying baby Pic: Pixabay
A crying baby Pic: Pixabay

Read more: Royal Preston Hospital staff bare all to raise money for Rosemere Cancer Centre

Advertisements

Lisa Maddock, Specialist Midwife for Public Health at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We know that for parents and caregivers, comforting a crying baby and coping with infant crying for a long period of time can be extremely stressful.

“By launching ICON at our hospitals, we hope to provide some comfort to those who might be needing support by offering constructive advice on different techniques that can help.

The latest coronavirus stats in your area can be found below



“ICON provides advice on how to soothe a baby and suggests some of the reasons why a baby might be crying. This may seem obvious, but looking after a crying baby can be very challenging and this support is often needed.

“It is vital that new parents in particular are equipped with this information and know that it is ok to struggle, it is ok to step away and it is ok to ask for help.”

Read more: Preston cancer survivor walks miles to raise money for Rosemere

Advertisements
barton manor gym

ICON reminds parents and caregivers that infant crying is normal and it will stop. The programme provides advice on comfort methods that can soothe babies, such as singing to them or going for a walk.

Things like babies needing a nappy change or being hungry and tired feature in the advice, as well as it being ok to walk away if the baby is safe and the crying is getting to you.

Read more: Commemorative plaque at Royal Preston Hospital for much-loved doctor

Debbie Gibbons, Named Midwife for Safeguarding at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “COVID 19 restrictions and social distancing guidance may potentially have a huge impact on support networks available for women from their extended family.

“With this in mind, it is more important than ever that these messages are shared and that families are aware of ICON and that they are encouraged to think about and plan ways to cope with a crying baby.”

The maternity team at Royal Preston Hospital felt so passionately about sharing these key messages that they co-produced a video based on why and when babies cry to get the message to new parents and families. Watch it here.

Read more:Latest news and updates from Blog Preston

Share
Advertisements
caritas fostering advert
Preston in pictures Preston Bus 207 PO56 JDX (Scania N94UB / East Lancs Esteem)24.03.24 - Penwortham [Church of St Mary] 240323JPGDSC_7658 - Bus stationDSC_7676 - Miller ArcadeDSC_7681 - former Post Office, cenotaph and Town HallDSC_7682 - Central Methodist church, Lune StreetDSC_7668 - Fish (aka Box) MarketDSC_7672 - Miller Arcade View more Advertisement Subscribe to the newsletter

Sign up below to receive Blog Preston's email newsletter. It wings its way into inboxes every Sunday and Wednesday rounding up our top stories and more.

Advertisement News by location

Find news by location, select an area of your choice to be kept up to date with the latest goings on.

The Preston Guide

Discover local businesses and services near you.

    Advertisements
Advertisement Categories

Find news by category, select an category of your choice to be kept up to date with the latest goings on.

Blog Preston email updates

Receive our digest of the biggest and best stories every Sunday to your email inbox

We respect your privacy and you can unsubscribe at any time from our emails