ICON Resources – Infant crying is normal

The ICON program is a preventative program designed to support parents, carers, and extended family members to better understand and safely respond to infant crying. We have produced the East Sussex SCP – ICON Briefing for staff so you can quickly understand why ICON is so important in East Sussex.

The ICON message is:

I – Infant crying is normal

C – Comforting methods can help

O – it’s OK to walk away

N – Never, ever shake a baby.

Practitioners are our greatest resource in sharing the ICON message with parents. Everyone who works with children and families can communicate these messages.

Don’t fearful to have difficult conversations – make it part of your routine and it will get easier.

Help parents understand that crying is normal. Babies are not doing it on purpose, offer ICON as an alternative to a stressful situation.