NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) has teamed up with national charity ICON to support new and expectant parents with managing the emotional challenges that can arise when their baby cries.
The ICON programme aims to promote mental wellbeing and provide practical strategies to help parents stay calm and cope during difficult moments. Crying is a normal part of infant development, but it can be overwhelming, especially when parents are tired or stressed. It provides resources for both parents and healthcare professionals.
Over 500 NHSGGC staff have been trained on ICON so far, with a plan in place for this to be rolled out further through various healthcare teams, including midwifery teams, family nurses, health visitors and GPs.
The ICON programme is built around a simple, evidence-based message:
- Infant crying is normal and will stop
- Comfort methods can sometimes soothe the baby
- It’s OK to walk away for a few minutes if the baby is safe and the crying feels overwhelming
- Never shake or hurt a baby
Shaking a baby can cause Abusive Head Trauma (AHT), which may lead to serious brain injury, disability, or even death.
NHSGGC’s Health Visiting and Midwifery Teams are encouraging all parents and carers to visit the ICON website, which offers a range of resources to help identify reasons for crying and manage stress in the moment.
Laura Gordon, NHSGGC Health Visiting Team Leader said:
“Parents need to be kind to themselves. Having a new baby can be exhausting and it is fully understandable that tiredness mixed in with a crying baby can be overwhelming.
“What is important, is recognising why your baby might be crying, if it is normal, and how you can remain calm while they’re doing so.
“What is important is accessing the support from your health professional to recognise why your baby may be crying, discussing a realistic plan, which can support you to remain calm and soothe them while they are doing so.”
“ICON is an excellent resource for this. The visual of the ‘normal crying curve’ alone can alleviate some of the parents’ concerns. It shows how babies start to cry more often at about two weeks of age. The crying may get more often and last longer during the next few weeks. It will reach a peak at about six to eight weeks, sometimes a little later. Every baby is different but after about two to three months, babies start to cry less and less each week. Knowing that provides parents with reassurance.
“Parents can also download resources for later through the NHSGGC Happy Healthy tots app meaning that they can easily refer to information offline and easily find them in the middle of the night!”
ICON is also highlighting that coping with crying is an issue for both men and women. For some men, finding someone to talk to and calming down before handling a baby can be an even bigger challenge. ICON encourages all parents to recognise the importance of asking for help and planning ahead for those difficult moments.
One simple coping strategy is to cut down on stimulation such as turning off screens, dimming lights, and creating a calm environment for both parent and baby. Families are also being urged to use the ICON Crying Plan: a practical tool to remind parents of what helps them personally to stay calm when stress levels rise.
Dr Suzanne Smith, Nurse, Health Visitor and Founder of ICON said:
“Persistent crying can be extremely stressful for any parent. People often say, ‘just calm down’, but in the moment that’s not easy. The ICON Crying Plan helps parents think ahead about what works for them – whether that’s stepping outside for fresh air, calling a friend, or taking a few deep breaths – so that when the crying gets overwhelming, they have a strategy ready.
“No parent is alone in this. Support is available through midwives, health visitors, GPs and online resources. Reaching out for help is a positive step for both parents and babies.”
