Monday, November 14, 2011

Stratford - During November the “Click for Babies” (from the distinct sound of knitting needles “clicking” together) campaign organized by the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome is being promoted by local hospitals and health units. The aim of the campaign is to create awareness about normal infant crying and the dangers of shaking a baby.

In November, every baby born in Perth County will go home from the hospital, or receive from their midwife, a one-of-a-kind, locally made, hand-knit purple cap. The purple caps draw attention to the Period of PURPLE Crying, which is a new way to help parents understand normal infant crying. Along with the purple hats, parents receive a DVD and booklet about infant crying patterns and coping tips for parents.

“The acronym PURPLE is used to describe an infant’s crying behaviour to let parents know that this crying is normal and, although frustrating, will pass,” explains Heather Kane, Public Health Nurse. “The Period of PURPLE Crying may begin at about two weeks of age and can continue until about three to four months of age.” The goal is to explain what is normal and help parents and caregivers find ways to cope so that they never react by shaking or harming a baby.

The letters in the PURPLE acronym stand for:

• Peak of crying – The baby may cry more each week, peaking at two months, and then less at three to five months.
• Unexpected – The crying can come and go, with no explanation.
• Resists soothing – The baby might not stop crying no matter what you try.
• Pain-like face – It may look like the baby is in pain, even when they are not.
• Long lasting –Crying can last as much as 5 hours a day, or more.
• Evening – The baby might cry more in the late afternoon or evening.

Often parents are told their baby has colic. “This can be confusing and concerning for new parents as it sounds like their infant has an illness or a condition that is abnormal,” says Kane. ”The Period of PURPLE Crying more accurately reflects what all babies go through; some may cry a lot, some far less, but they all go through it.”

Special thanks to the numerous volunteers who gave their time to make the caps and to Bernat Yarns by Spinrite LP for donating the yarn.

For more information:

• call Health Line at 519-271-7600 ext 267 or toll-free at 1-877-271-7348 ext 267.
• click here to visit our Shaken Baby Syndrome page