Hospital admissions are at an all time high for infant abuse in Oregon and across the United States. A new study published in Pediatrics shows the rate of shaken baby syndrome is up nearly 70 percent. Frustration with a baby’s crying is the number one trigger for shaking and abuse.  

To help raise awareness about Shaken Baby Syndrome prevention, the Children’s Hospital, The Children’s Trust Fund of Oregon and Twisted sponsored a Community Knit-In this morning.

Knitters from all over the Pacific Northwest gathered to knit or crochet purple baby hats in Legacy Emanuel’s Atrium in North Portland that will be distributed to Oregon birthing hospitals and community health clinics in November. The knitted caps will then be given to babies along with educational materials that educate parents and caregivers about the Period of PURPLE Crying; a normal although frustrating period of increased crying infants may experience in the first weeks and months after birth.

Acting Fire Lieutenant Jeff and Firefighters Paul, John, and Walter from Portland Fire & Rescue’s Engine 13 showed their support by attending the knit-it and delivering dark purple yarn bought from Twisted to the knitters.

First responders remind all new parents that the Period of PURPLE Crying is a normal and frustrating period of increased crying that healthy infants experience from two weeks to four months. The purple caps serve as a reminder to parents and caregivers:

CRYING IS NORMAL IT IS NEVER OKAY TO SHAKE

LEARN MORE!

To learn more about the Period of PURPLE Crying, visit: http://www.purplecrying.info. If you’re interested in knitting a purple baby hat, visit: www.legacyhealth.org/safetystore.  

 Portland Fire & Rescue

 We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

 September 29, 2011

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