Educating new parents and caregivers about the normality of the early increased crying of infants is the goal of a new program being implemented this fall, says Minister of Health and Wellness Doug Currie.
“The Period of Purple Crying is a preventative program designed to educate new caregivers about the normal patterns of infant crying, to anticipate this behaviour and to safely respond to a crying infant,” said Minister Currie. “The education and prevention program will give new parents resources and information to better understand inconsolable crying in infants and help lower the incidence of abusive head traumas in infants.”
Prince Edward Island has the highest rate of referrals in the Atlantic provinces for abusive head trauma in infants caused by shaking, and it is the most common cause of death from physical abuse among children. Crying is the most common stimulus for shaking.
The Period of Purple Crying program includes an information booklet and a 10-minute DVD which is ideally watched by both parents during their stay at the maternity ward. Nurses will then discuss the program and answer any questions that may arise. Health PEI’s Public Health Nursing will also review the program with new parents at their home visit and provide another opportunity to discuss and respond to questions.
The Department of Health and Wellness will be funding the initiative through the Chief Public Health Office’s Reproductive Care Program. The program will be offered in several languages.
“The Period of Purple Crying has training and resources for health care professionals who regularly meet with parents of newborns and reinforce important messages,” said Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison. “It’s critical that we let all parents know that their babies may go through this period of extended and exhausting crying, but that it’s important that they never shake their child.”
The Period of Purple Crying program has been implemented in over 800 hospitals and organizations in 49 states, eight Canadian provinces and one Territory.
“Infants are our most vulnerable population and we have to ensure their safety,” said Minister Currie. “Our hope is that public education will provide information that will aid in bringing about a cultural change in our understanding of the normality of early increased crying and hopefully reduce the instances of abusive head traumas.”
Additional information available at www.purplecrying.info and www.dontshake.org.