Each year there are 1,300 reported cases of Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) in the United States. SBS is a term used to describe the signs and symptoms resulting from violent shaking of the head of an infant or small child. UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital is participating in a statewide effort to bring about awareness of SBS and help prevent infant abuse.
The hospital is hosting a Click for Babies Knit-In from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 3 in St. Luke’s Center for Women’s and Children’s Health lobby, 150 11th St. NE, Cedar Rapids.
Knitters from Cedar Rapids and surrounding communities are encouraged to knit PURPLE baby hats for distribution at Iowa birthing hospitals in November. The knitted caps will be given to babies along with educational materials to new parents about the Period of PURPLE Crying, which is a normal period of increased crying infants may experience in the first few weeks and months after birth.
Frustration with an infant’s crying is the No. 1 reason someone shakes and harms an infant. By knitting PURPLE baby caps, knitters can help St. Luke’s educate parents that crying is normal, and it is never OK to shake or harm an infant.
