Resources

Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Program

The Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome BC program is working to prevent shaken baby syndrome through a province-wide community-based educational program, the Period of Purple Crying.

The Period of Purple Crying focuses on infant crying, especially inconsolable crying and its connection to shaken baby syndrome using a child development model. The materials, an 11-page booklet sub-titled “Did you know your infant would cry like this?” and a 10-minute DVD address three basic concepts:

  1. That early infant crying and even colic is a normal part of infant development;
  2. Frustration over early infant crying is the most common trigger for shaking an infant or child; and
  3. Shaking an infant or child is very dangerous.

These materials provide a clear, memorable and meaningful message for parents. The materials are distributed directly to new parents through birthing hospitals, public health units, including public health nurses and home visits.

The program has been fully implemented in all birthing hospitals and health units across BC. Current work is focused on training foster parents, MCFD personnel (social workers, CLBC staff, community support workers) and Aboriginal groups. A public education campaign is also being implemented.

The program aims to create a cultural change in parents’ understanding of and response to infant crying, and aims for a 50 per cent decrease in the number of cases of traumatic brain injury due to shaken baby syndrome.

For more information, please visit the Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome BC website.

The BC government has endorsed and provided funding to this project which is led by Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome BC. The program is also supported (and funded) by several other organizations, including the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Fraser Health Authority, the Vancouver Foundation and the Rick Hansen Foundation. The Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport provides support, as maternity services and public health nurses are vital to the delivery of the program.