Purple caps on Winneshiek Medical Center newborns aim at preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome

Volunteers at the Blue Heron Knittery in Decorah knitted purple hats for November-born newborns at Winneshiek Medical Center. Seated front left to right are Brenda Suckow and Judy McIntosh. Standing from left to right are Blue Heron owner Sarah Iversen and Winneshiek Medical Center Obstetrics Nurse Manager Denise Duffy. Not pictured is Wendy Suckow.

Purple newborn caps are replacing the traditional pink and blue caps on the tiny heads of infants at Winneshiek Medical Center this month.  The hand-knitted caps are a way to remind parents about the normalcy of early infant crying and how to cope with it and avoid Shaken Baby Syndrome.

Winneshiek Medical Center Obstetrics Department nurse manager Denise Duffy says, "Shaken baby syndrome can, many times, be prevented with appropriate education.  Obstetric nurses at Winneshiek Medical Center have received training on the Period of Purple Crying; knowledge we pass along to our delivering families during the November awareness month and throughout the year."  

For more information about the Period of Purple Crying go to http://www.purplecrying.info.