Protecting Babies

Protecting Babies Is Everyone's Business

Babies are fragile and everyone has a responsibility to keep them safe from harm.

As a parent or carer, looking after a newborn baby can sometimes be challenging. Babies rely on you to care for them, but they can't easily let you know what they want or need. It is important for you to be able to cope when things get tough and be able to respond to your baby. Our Safer Sleep and All Babies Cry pages offer useful tips and information on keeping your baby safe.

Helping To Keep Your Baby Safe

Baby Safety - What You Should Know

Babies should always be handled gently, and it is never okay to shake a baby - this can cause serious injury.
Health professionals will always be curious about the safety of babies and will ask questions and raise concerns where appropriate.
If a young baby has an unexplained mark on their skin, it is important that this is looked at by a health professional.
It is not just the role of parents and carers to keep babies safe - everyone who comes into contact with babies and their families should play their part. You may spot something that worries you or puts a baby at risk and be able to prevent them from having an accident or being hurt. It is important that we work together to protect babies from abuse and neglect by trusting our instincts and sharing our concerns.

What Support Is On Offer?

If you have concerns about a baby being abused or neglected, this should be reported.

Norfolk Children's Advice and Duty Service (CADS) 0344 800 8020 offer free confidential help.

You can call our Just One Number team on 0300 300 0123 or text 07520 631590, Monday - Friday 8am-6pm or Saturday mornings 9am-1pm. Our teams are here to help you with any questions or queries you have about your child. We can support you over the phone, video or at home.

If the baby is in immediate danger, call 999 and speak to the police.