Supporting Parents and Caregivers
With thousands of practitioners trained, spanning disciplines from health visiting to neonatal care, ICON stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication of those committed to nurturing a safer, more compassionate world for our youngest citizens.
About ICON
The ICON programme was founded by Dr. Suzanne Smith PhD, inspired by insights gained during her 2016 Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Travel Fellowship to the USA and Canada. During this time, she explored effective strategies and research focused on preventing Abusive Head Trauma (AHT).
Studies show that some caregivers may struggle to stay in control when faced with persistent infant crying. In some cases, this can tragically lead to a baby being shaken, with devastating outcomes. Suzanne identified that the most effective, evidence-based interventions deliver a clear and simple message to help parents and caregivers manage infant crying.
Beyond preventing AHT, ICON also addresses a universal experience: nearly everyone who has cared for a baby values guidance on soothing a crying infant and coping when the crying feels overwhelming.
What ICON Stands for
ICON is all about helping people who care for babies to cope with crying.
If you need support, don’t hesitate to speak to someone, such as a family member, friend, midwife, GP, or health visitor.
ICON exists to help prevent Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) through a simple, evidence-based approach. The programme consists of a series of brief ‘touchpoint’ interventions that reinforce the core message captured in the ICON acronym.
Since its launch, ICON has trained thousands of professionals—including Health Visitors, Neonatal Nurses, Family Support Workers, Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, and many others—who support families with babies from birth to three months old.