Ottawa County Stop Child Abuse and Neglect Council (SCAN)

The Ottawa County Stop Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) Council is a community-based effort to prevent child abuse and neglect in Ottawa County. SCAN helps to coordinate child abuse prevention efforts to ensure we are working together as a community to protect children. Our team at Arbor Circle partners with SCAN to raise awareness of child abuse and advocate for children who are at risk of abuse or neglect.

Child Abuse Prevention Month Calendar Child Abuse Prevention Month Coloring Sheet Sign up for our SCAN newsletter

Our partners in prevention

  • Ed and Nancy Hanenburg Children’s Advocacy Center
  • Ottawa County Department of Public Health
  • Resilience: Advocates for Ending Violence
  • Ottawa County Department of Health and Human Services
  • Help Me Grow Ottawa
  • Ottawa Area Intermediate School District
  • Ottawa County Community Mental Health
  • Bethany Christian Services
  • Movement West Michigan
  • City of Holland Police Department

Safe Sleep and Dealing with Crying

Below are some important tips on crying, soothing, and safe sleep for baby:

  • I can dance with baby, walk with baby, and talk to baby to try to soothe them.
  • I can try a warm bath.
  • If I am frustrated, it’s okay to put baby down in their crib, on their bak, and walk away to calm down.
  • I can remind myself that this period of crying, which usually starts at 6 weeks of age and peaks at 4-5 months, will come to an end.
  • I will put baby in a crib or bassinet alone, on their back.
  • I know I can room share, but not bed share with baby.

Period of Purple Crying

The Period of PURPLE Crying program helps parents and caregivers understand and cope with their baby’s normal crying patterns during the first few months of life, emphasizing that excessive crying is a normal developmental phase and providing support and strategies to manage this challenging period.

P

Peak of Crying

Your baby may cry more each week, the most in month 2, then less in 3-5.

U

Unexpected

Crying can come and go and you don’t know why.

R

Resists Soothing

Your baby may not stop crying no matter what you try.

P

Pain-like Face

A crying baby may look like they are in pain, even when they are not.

L

Long lasting

Crying can last as much as 5 hours a day, or more.

E

Evening

Your baby may cry more in the late afternoon and evening.

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