News Releases

Bluewater Health Partners with County of Lambton to Mark Period of PURPLE Crying

This page was reviewed or revised on Thursday, November 10, 2011 10:30 AM

SARNIA – The Maternal/Infant/Child Program at Bluewater Health and the County of Lambton Child Health & Dental Services Department are marking the Period of PURPLE Crying during the month of November, and have recently partnered on a patient education program to draw awareness to Shaken Baby Syndrome.

Shaken Baby Syndrome is caused by the violent shaking of an infant or young child, and is totally preventable. Long-term consequences may include learning disabilities, physical disabilities, hearing impairment, speech disabilities, seizures, behaviour disorders, cerebral palsy or death.

“The Period of PURPLE Crying is a prevention program to educate parents and caregivers about normal infant crying, and the dangers of shaking an infant,” said Margarita Weaver, Supervisor with Child Health & Dental Services, County of Lambton. “The ‘PURPLE’ concept describes characteristics of early infant crying in normal, healthy infants. Working together, all health units and all hospitals in Southwestern Ontario can reduce the incidence of abusive head injuries from Shaken Baby Syndrome.”

“Bluewater Health is pleased to support this important patient education campaign”, said Kelly Ross, Manager of the Maternal/Infant/Child Program at Bluewater Health. “To mark our support of the program, during the month of November, all babies born at Bluewater Health will receive a purple knitted hat.”

Created by Dr. Ronald Barr, the evidence-based, infant abuse prevention program informs parents about the stages of infant crying and provides strategies to help caregivers cope with early infant crying, which begins at about two weeks of age, and usually ends by four to five months of age, and often earlier. PURPLE is an acronym, describing normal characteristics of infant crying:

P - Peaks at 2 months
U - Unpredictable
R - Resistant to soothing
P - Pain like expression
L - Long bouts 1-5 hours
E - Evening crying common

“All babies cry, some more than others,” added Weaver. “Healthy crying babies can look like they're in pain, even when they're not, and may not stop crying no matter what you try, and crying can come and go, and you don’t know why. Early infant crying can be very frustrating, but no matter how frustrated you get, never shake your baby.”

Weaver offers some suggestions to cope with a crying baby:

• Feed your baby
• Check baby's temperature (baby may not be feeling well, or may be hot or cold)
• Hold your baby - skin-to-skin is best (you can't spoil a baby by holding them)
• Cuddle, coo, read, sing to your baby
• Rock baby gently, walk around, dance slowly with your baby
• Change baby's diaper
• Check baby's clothes (check for tags)
• Create ‘white noise’ (such as a vacuum cleaner or radio)
• Give baby a warm bath
• Take baby for a walk
• Let other's help (don't feel bad about leaving baby with a trusted person)
• Join a play or support group
• Take a break (if nothing works, put baby in a crib and walk away for a few minutes)
• Never shake a baby

For more information about the Period of PURPLE Crying Program, call the County of Lambton Child Health & Dental Services Department at 519-383-8331, or toll free at 1-800-667-1839.

For more information about Lambton County, visit www.lambtononline.ca.

Bluewater Health, with locations in Sarnia and Petrolia, is a 326-bed community hospital that cares for the residents of Sarnia-Lambton. With close to 2,500 staff, Professional Staff and volunteers, Bluewater Health provides an array of specialized acute, complex continuing care, allied health and ambulatory care services. State-of-the-art facilities, which opened in 2010, contribute to Bluewater Health’s Mission: We create exemplary healthcare experiences for patients and families every time. For more information about Bluewater Health, visit www.bluewaterhealth.ca.

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For more information contact:

Margarita Weaver  Supervisor, Child Health & Dental Services County of Lambton 519 383-8331, Ext. 3512	Kelly Ross Manager, Maternal/Infant/Child Program Bluewater Health 519 464-4400, Ext. 8259
Meaghan Lawrence-Kreeft Communications Coordinator Bluewater Health 519 464-4453

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BWH_Partners_With_County_of_Lambton_to_Mark_Period_of_Purple_Crying_Nov_4_2011.pdf (101.3 KB)