ICON is a programme aimed at helping parents and carers with young babies to cope with infant crying.
What is ICON?
ICON provides the important messages below on how to cope with a crying baby:
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 OK to walk away, if you have checked the baby is safe and the crying is getting you. After a few minutes when you are feeling calm, go back and check on the baby.
N – Never, ever shake or hurt a baby; it can cause lasting brain damage or death.
Most babies start to cry more frequently at about two weeks of age, with crying becoming more frequent and longer lasting during the next few weeks and reaching a peak at six to eight weeks.
The ICON programme offers the support to let parents and carers know that this behaviour is completely normal and that they are not alone in dealing with this situation. It is completely natural for babies to cry and it is important to remember that this will stop. After approximately eight weeks babies start to cry less and less each week.
Who to contact
Contact your midwife, health visitor, GP or contact:
Rochdale's Complex Early Help and Safeguarding Hub
Telephone: 0300 303 0440
(Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.45pm)
Telephone: 0300 303 8875 (out of office hours)
Email: ehash@rochdale.gov.uk.