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This week, Monday 22 – Friday 26 September 2025, is ICON week, which is dedicated to raising awareness about infant crying and how to manage it, supporting parents and carers, and preventing serious injuries, illnesses, and even fatalities caused by abusive head trauma, often resulting from shaking a baby.
ICON is an acronym for:
Today, we are focusing on the first letter in the ICON acronym:
 Babies cry for many reasons. They are hardwired to cry whenever they need a parent to help them. This is because their brains have yet to develop the circuits that allow for self-control or understanding. Crying is meant to be upsetting for a parent. Crying is nature’s way of making sure they pay attention quickly.
A cry might signal many things, discomfort and startle are common examples. Sometimes, babies cry for no reason at all and sometimes they cry and just cannot be settled. This may be upsetting for both baby and parent, but it causes no harm and will eventually stop.
After about 5 months, the experts say that crying becomes more ‘purposeful’. That means after 5 months of age, your baby is more likely to be crying for a reason.
The ICON website provides extensive material to promote that infant crying is normal. This includes information about the “Pause at the door” tool and a video about peaks of infant crying. These are available in the following link: Infant crying is normal - ICON Cope
The CSCP website also includes a number of resources, which can be used to promote ICON Week: CSCP ICON Page.
Professionals should print copies of resources, where possible, to share with families during contact sessions/family time, and to display in public areas, to raise awareness of the ICON message.
If you know a family who needs support with Infant Crying, please signpost them to their midwife, GP or Health Visitor.
Please look out for tomorrow’s 5 Minute Briefing, where we will be focusing on the second letter in the ICON acronym; Comforting methods can help.
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