Nationwide Program To Battle Shaken Baby Syndrome Is Now Available In South Jersey

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A local hospital has launched a program to help new parents deal with babies who seem to cry for days on end.

New parents at Virtua Voorhees and Virtua Memorial now take part in a program teaching them how to deal with babies who cry for hours a day, for months according to Barbara Hansen, assistant vice president for maternal child health.

"Put the baby in a safe place and just walk away so that you can calm down, of course never to shake the baby, also reminders to parents that this will come to an end and if they're still worried about their baby, take them to the doctor.

The nationwide Period of P.U.R.P.L.E Crying program  is designed to reduce the incidence of child abuse that often occurs when exhausted, frustrated parents try to deal with screaming newborns.