COVID19 Update

#covid19safegaurding

The ability to cope with stress depends on the controllability of the stressor. The measures to contain and delay the spread of COVID19 are already presenting major stressors for families which they cannot control e.g.

• Loss of income
• Self isolation with children and potentially at risk adults
• Social distancing restrictions on activities which might lessen stress (e.g. sports, social engagement and entertainment, celebrations)
• Social distancing restrictions on activities which might enhance support and coping (e.g support groups, children/baby groups and classes, baby clinics).

Please share the ICON coping techniques to families across your networks.

Research points to persistent crying in babies being a potential trigger for some parents/care givers to lose control and shake a baby.  It also shows that around 70% of babies who are shake are shaken by men.  So any prevention programme should include male caregivers and use the best opportunities to reach them as well as support all parents/caregivers with information about crying and how to cope with a crying baby.

Intervention Points

The full ICON programme consists of 7 potential intervention points.

1. High School: description. Link to lesson plan and lesson
2. Hospital Based: description. Link to leaflet and script and commitment statement
3. Community Midwife home visit: reiteration of 4 point message
4. Health Visitor Primary visit: reiteration of 4 point message
5. Health visitor topic specific contact: dedicated contact discussing normal crying and exploring how parents/caregivers are coping.
6. GP 6/8 week check: link to questionnaire
7. Any professional involved with babies to provide opportunistic support/advice.

A wider public health awareness campaign using the materials provided will support these interventions.

Although some areas may not  choose not to adopt all elements of the programme, the hospital based intervention has been shown in previous studies to be crucial in engaging with male caregivers.  A simple ‘script’ which takes 5-8 minutes to deliver is available to help professionals or volunteers get the ‘coping with crying’ conversation started.  This should incorporate the safe sleep message detailed in the leaflet.  DOWNLOAD HERE

The programme is currently being piloted in 5 areas of the country and is being evaluated  by follow up survey of parents.

If you want to introduce ICON in your area of work, please contact the National Steering Group Chair  to arrange a conference call so we can fully support you in helping parents/caregivers cope with a crying baby and help prevent AHT in the process.

Some may find this video distressing. Viewer discretion is advised.