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This week, Monday 21 – Friday 25 September 2026, 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 second letter in the ICON acronym:
 Babies can cry for different reasons like when they are hungry, wet/dirty or if they are unwell. Sometimes babies can also cry for no reason.
Check these basic needs and try some simple calming techniques. Some of these will work for your baby, some may not work and some may increase the crying. Something that worked for your baby yesterday, may not work today. It can be so frustrating but it really is just about staying calm, knowing your baby, and understanding this is normal. You are not a bad parent, and this is a phase that will pass.
Information and image provided from ICON website. For more information on comfort methods, please visit their website: Comforting methods can help - ICON Cope
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The ICON website provides extensive material to promote that infant crying is normal. This includes information about when to worry about a baby’s crying and a video about how to comfort your baby. These are available in the following link: Comforting methods can help - 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 third letter in the ICON acronym; It's OK to walk away.
 Above paragraph provided by ICON
Babies cry. You can cope. Never, ever shake a baby.
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