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Babies and pregnancy

We can provide you with support and resources in relation to babies and pregnancy.


ICON - Babies Cry, You Can Cope programme supports parents and carers manage normal infant crying and to prevent abusive head trauma injuries to babies caused by shaking, also referred to as ‘shaken baby syndrome’.

ICON is an evidenced-based programme designed to help parents and carers understand the normal crying pattern of young infants and to help them develop successful coping mechanisms to deal with this.

The ICON programme delivers four simple messages before the birth and in the first few months of a baby’s life:

  • I - Infant crying is normal
  • C - Comforting methods can help
  • O - It’s OK to walk away
  • N - Never, ever shake a baby

Within the advice for parents and carers section of our website you will find information in relation to ICON - Babies Cry, You Can Cope programme, which supports parents and carers to manage normal infant crying and to prevent abusive head trauma injuries to babies caused by shaking, also referred to as shaken baby syndrome.

The ICON Website has a wealth of information including:

  • advice for professionals - which includes help and resources for disseminating the ICON message to parents
  • advice for parents - which includes lots of useful videos and resources to support parents and to also use when engaging with fathers

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The North Yorkshire and York Child Death Overview Panel has created a new Sudden and Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) Prevention - One Minute Guide for Professionals, please take a look and share with your colleagues.

The Lullaby Trust have produced further information regarding Reducing Sudden Deaths in Yorkshire and the Humber, and a Baby Summer Safety video on how to keep your baby cool when the temperature rises.

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The North Yorkshire and York Safeguarding Children Partnerships have been working with multi-agency partners to create a programme of work aimed at reducing the risks of Sudden Unexpected Deaths in Infancy (SUDI) with a particular focus on reducing the risks for families with increased vulnerabilities.

Day or Night, Sleep Right is a key message to those who care for infants across North Yorkshire and York. The Day or Night, Sleep Right campaign has been created to raise awareness of the importance of safe sleeping environments for infants to reduce the number who may be at risk of SUDI.

Alongside multi-agency and single agency training sessions which are currently being delivered, a Basic Awareness Video has been created for professionals:

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Summer Safety

The Lullaby Trust have produced a Baby Summer Safety video on how to keep your baby cool when the temperature rises.

Safer sleep in winter - How to keep your baby safe when the weather gets cold

We know that the colder months can be difficult for families. They may be worried about the costs of living and have to make difficult choices for their family, or they may be worried about paying their heating bills. Families may be concerned about trying to keep their home warm, keeping draughts out and keeping their baby warm.

The recommended room temperature is 16 to 20 degrees, this may be difficult to maintain in the colder months. It can be tempting to wrap babies up to keep them warm, however we know that overheating a baby increases the chances of SIDS (also known as cot death). Research shows babies are better to be cooler than too hot.

The Lullaby Trust website contains useful safer sleep in winter tips including things to consider for your baby and their sleep space during the colder months.

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We've produced a number of resources in relation to prebirth and babies:

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We've published some 7 point briefings in relation to babies.

These can be found on our learning and development page.

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