CLICK for Babies – Period of PURPLE Crying Caps

The Women and Children’s Health Program at Chatham Kent Health Alliance is going purple! With great thanks to our community’s knitters and crocheters, every child born at CKHA during the month of November will be given a purple baby cap to raise awareness of the Period of PURPLE Crying®.
What is PURPLE crying? Crying that Peaks, is Unexpected, Resistant to soothing, with a Pain-like face (even when infant is not in pain), Long crying bouts and Evening clusters of crying. This PURPLE crying period is not only normal, but part of your baby’s healthy development. Unfortunately, this excessive crying has been reported to be a trigger for exhausted and frustrated parents to shake their baby.
Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is an intentional injury to a baby as a result of shaking with or without impact on a hard surface. Shaking a baby causes head injuries, bleeding around the brain, retinal bleeding and bone fractures. About 25% of babies diagnosed with SBS will die, and 80% of the surviving babies will suffer lifelong neurological damage. It is important that parents and other caregivers understand the Period of PURPLE Crying® and more importantly, how to prevent SBS.
A baby will increase their crying over the first few months and this crying will peak around 2 months of age. Parents and other caregivers are encouraged to take the following three actions:

1. Increase their contact with their baby. Carry, walk, and talk to your baby. This will help reduce crying, but will not stop it


2. If the crying becomes too frustrating, put the baby in their crib and walk away. Let them cry in the safety of their crib while you take a couple minutes to calm down. Crying is stressful.


3. NEVER SHAKE A BABY.

If you would like more information on the Period of PURPLE Crying® or the Click for Babies initiative, please visit www.purplecrying.info