Keeping babies safe

This page provides parents and carers with information, advice and access to further support in relation to coping with a crying baby and ensuring your baby is safe whilst sleeping. If you have any immediate concerns about your baby or your own mental or emotional wellbeing please contact your GP, Health Visitor or attend A&E in an emergency.

Coping with Crying

Babies cry for lots of reasons because their brains have not developed the circuits that allow self-control or understanding. Crying is a baby’s way of telling you something and it is meant to be upsetting for you to hear. This is nature’s way of making sure you pay attention. A crying baby can mean different things such as they are hungry, uncomfortable, tired but, babies sometimes cry for no reason at all. It can be incredibly upsetting and stressful for a parent or carer when a baby continuously cries after they have tried everything to settle the baby and it has not worked. It is important to remember that a baby will not hurt themselves by crying and the crying will eventually stop. At around 5 months of age, a baby’s cry becomes more purposeful which means the baby is more likely to be crying for a reason.

The ICON website has further information and advice on coping with crying. Remember:

I – Infant crying is normal
C –Comforting methods can help
O – It’s OK to walk away
N – Never, ever shake a baby.

Safer Sleep and Safer Bathing

Following the advice and guidance for safe sleeping can reduce your babies risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) which is commonly known as cot death. Your Health Visitor, GP or Midwife can advise you on safe sleep including the correct positioning of your baby, room temperature, coverings such as blankets and co-sleeping.

Sleeping on a sofa with your baby increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by up to 50 times. You may not intend to sleep on the sofa with your baby –it is important to make a plan to prevent this from happening: GSCP Sofa Sleeping Awareness Advice 18 Feb 2021.

The Lullaby Trust raises awareness of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), provides expert advice on safer sleep for babies and offers emotional support for bereaved families. For more information, read The Lullaby Trust’s Safer Sleep Guide for Parents/Carers.

The National Child Mortality Database has several really useful short videos for parents, demonstrating safe sleeping positions, optimal cot arrangements and handling your baby safely in the bath:

Safer sleep and reducing accidents: key messages for parents

In 2023, there have been local instances of child drownings when children have been left unsupervised in the bath. The Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) have some very helpful information and resources on their website.

Bexley Best Start In Life – support for your newborn

Click the link below for information on local services to support for your baby’s first year, from feeding to development and health.

Baby | Best start in life and Families

NHS vaccinations and when to have them

It’s important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection, but if you or your child missed a vaccine, contact your GP to catch up. You’ll find the latest advice on immunisations for both your baby and the whole family below:

NHS vaccinations and when to have them – NHS

Useful links

There is a lot of information available for parents and this can sometimes feel overwhelming. We have provided a few useful links below in addition to those mentioned above, which will take you to helpful and practice advice, information as well as give you access to contact details for support.

  • Cry-sis started as a small group of parents, who were experiencing problems with their crying and sleepless babies and set up a support group. They discovered how important support is and how reassuring it can be to talk to someone. Today that support group is the only UK charity offering help and support to parents with babies who cry excessively or have sleeping problems. The Cry-sis website has lots of helpful information and advice for mums, dads and carers. Cry-sis have a helpline which is open 7 days a week between 9am and 10pm: 08451 228 669
  • The NHS Baby Buddy app guides you through your pregnancy and the first 6 months following your baby’s birth. It is designed to help you look after your baby’s mental and physical health, as well as your own, and give your baby the best start in life.
  • The NSPCC Baby Parenting Tips webpage has information and advice from getting babies to sleep, to managing stress. The page has tips and advice to help you through the early years.