Press Releases
Durham Regional Hospital Volunteers Help Promote Infant Safety Program
Apr. 1, 2010Durham, NC- Durham Regional Hospital volunteers are knitting purple hats for all babies born at Durham Regional to wear during the month of April. This project from the Period of Purple Crying® coincides with Prevent Childhood Abuse Awareness Month and aims to bring attention to the Period of Purple Crying® program.
The Period of PURPLE Crying® is an evidence-based shaken baby syndrome prevention program offered to new parents who deliver at participating North Carolina Hospitals. The program at Durham Regional Hospital includes education from Durham Regional postpartum nurses who have been trained on Shaken Baby Syndrome, as well as a video and a booklet that parents can take home to share with other caregivers of their baby. The program describes the hazards of shaking and gives them alternatives to use when they feel they need a break from a crying baby.
Durham Regional rolled out this initiative in 2009 in both its respite nursery and Level II Special Care Nursery which provides care for at-risk, acutely ill, and convalescing infants as early as 32 weeks of gestation.
“Our hospital volunteers are making a difference by participating in this program,” says Shannon Wineman, RN, nurse manager of the Postpartum Unit. “Parents and caregivers, regardless of their experience, often find themselves feeling helpless and frustrated when their infant will not stop crying. This program helps parents and caregivers understand that it is normal to feel that way. Knitting these hats helps bring recognition to this important education program.”
