সংক্রমণ প্রতিরোধ সপ্তাহ

It's Infection Prevention Week! Each year we host an Infection Prevention Week during October to show how we can all work together to keep babies safe from infection. We want to empower parents and carers to trust their instincts!

Graphic in a circle for infection prevention week. There are illustrated germs in the middle of the circle.
Baby is being checked over by a heath professional.

Why infection prevention in babies is important

Babies have immature immune systems. Even infections that are considered ‘mild’ in older children and adults can be life-threatening for babies.

One of the reasons that babies are more vulnerable to infections is that they have simply not been exposed to some common viruses. As they grow and get bigger, their immune systems will have had a chance to develop and will be more able to cope when they are exposed to bacteria, viruses, and other germs.

What we’re doing to prevent infections

It’s Infection Prevention Week! Each year we host an Infection Prevention Week during October to show how we can all work together to keep babies safe from infection. We want to empower parents and carers to trust their instincts!

2025’s Infection Prevention Week will run from 19 – 25 October. We’ll be raising awareness of the THANKS guidance (read below!), and talking about the signs and symptoms to look out for. Read on to learn what this year’s theme will focus on.

How to prevent infection in babies Learn about our free baby check app
Baby is laying down smiling and giggling, grasping their hands together. They have light skin and wear a white babygrow.

2025's theme is 'never a nuisance'

The theme for Infection Prevention Week 2025 is ‘never a nuisance’. No parent should hesitate to speak up if they’re worried about their baby. But too often, families worry about being a bother. This Infection Prevention Week, we’re saying it loud and clear; you’re never a nuisance.  

Speak up when something doesn’t feel right and trust your instincts, as no one knows your baby better than you do. 

We’re encouraging you to seek help if you’re worried because:

  • As parents and carers, we can hesitate to ask for help, fearing we’re overreacting or taking up NHS time. But we know that parents’ gut instincts are strong, and reaching out early can make all the difference if your baby has an infection.
  • Health professionals want to hear from you, whether it’s your first concern or your fifth. You’re never a nuisance when it comes to your baby’s health.
Talking to health professionals
  • Hayley and Dimitri standing by the bed that Violet is sleeping in.

    To parents and carers, it’s simple: be confident to say no. Whether that’s to visitors, to people who want to cuddle your baby or to anyone feeling unwell. It’s your baby’s life. Trust your instincts and keep pushing if something doesn’t feel right.

    Hayley, Violet's mum
    Hayley and Dimitri’s story
  • Izzy and Laura sitting next to each other on the sofa, holding Alo and Jovie.

    As soon as I saw the Baby Check app advertised, I downloaded it immediately! It was so useful, because when it came to signs of illness and infection, I didn’t know what on earth to look out for.

    Izzy, Alo and Jovie's mum
    Izzy’s story
  • Lady with orange hair and a blue top, smiling.

    I remember how anxiety-inducing it was having people unexpectedly kiss Minh. It’s just important to take the necessary precautions and see a doctor if something is wrong.

    Lan, Minh's mum
    Lan’s story
  • An illustration of a parent with her back to us, holding her baby who is facing us

    I agree with the motto ‘never a nuisance’. Never feel like you’re a burden or that you’re making a fuss if you have a concern about your baby. It’s easier to check a baby and rule out anything serious, than to treat a baby that should’ve been seen earlier and has developed a more serious illness.

    Annie, Louis' mum
    Annie’s story
    Illustration from The Lullaby Trust depicting hands being washed, and an X next to a pair of lips. T H A N K S - meaning, Think Hands And No KisseS. Remember to wash your hands before touching a baby, and only kiss a new baby if you're their parent or carer. play video

    Infection prevention animation

    Keeping babies safe from infection is simple, and we can all do our bit. This animation explains how you can help to keep babies safe from infections by following the THANKS guidance: Think HandS and No KisseS.

    • Wash your hands: Always wash your hands before touching or holding a baby.
    • No kisses: People from outside the home should not kiss a new baby when they visit.
    • Don't visit if ill: Don't visit a new baby if you are ill or have been ill recently.
    • Laura and Sam are pictured outdoors. Laura is smiling with her hair in a bun, and Sam is strapped to her front, wearing a hat with teddy ears.

      Sam's story

      Our son, Sam, spent a week in intensive care recovering from an infection. It is a reminder about how vulnerable babies’ immune systems are during those early months. If it wasn’t for the awareness about infection from The Lullaby Trust, I don’t think I’d have taken his temperature. And you always worry about babies having high temperature too, so I didn’t even think about it being low.

      Laura and Matt
      Sam's story

      How you can help

      1. Saving lives starts with having the knowledge. Read our infection and illness webpages to make yourself familiar with the THANKS guidance.
      2. Talk about the বেবি চেক অ্যাপ. Our Baby Check app asks parents and carers 17 simple questions, and the app will tell you whether you need to see a health professional about your baby’s symptoms or not. 
      3. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn or TikTok and share our content far and wide. This way, we can reach as many people as possible with our life-saving advice, together.
      4. Sign up to be a Lullaby GEM (Gives Every Month), to help us reach as many families as possible with our life-saving advice. You can be there for every family, for every baby, forever. 
      5. Share our new advice on talking to health professionals. Many families tell us that reaching out for help, especially repeatedly, can feel daunting. This new webpage guides you through practical tips, phrases and reassurance to give families confidence. 
      6. If you’re a health professional, download and display our infection prevention resources in your workplace. Spotting infection in babies poster, Baby Check app poster, THANKS poster. More resources here. 

      Infection prevention information

      Know the symptoms of infections in babies, when to seek help and learn more about preventing infections in babies.
      • A young couple visiting a medical clinic in Newcastle upon Tyne, England with their baby daughter for a check up. They are sitting in a doctor's office while the nurse listens to their concerns about their baby, who is crying.

        Talking to health professionals

        Many parents tell us they worry about being a nuisance or wasting NHS time. But you are never a nuisance when it comes to your baby’s health.

        আরও পড়ুন
      • A close up of a woman washing her hands. She has soap suds on her hands and black nail polish, and the tap is off.

        সংক্রমণ প্রতিরোধ

        Babies are more vulnerable to infections than older children, especially in their first few weeks. Here you will find the signs and symptoms to look out for that your baby might be unwell.

        আরও পড়ুন
      • An illustration of a hand holding a phone with the Baby Check app open by The Lullaby Trust. It is on a page saying 'temperature', with an illustration of a baby and a thermometer.

        বেবি চেক অ্যাপ

        Our Baby Check app gives you peace of mind, in your pocket. If your baby is under six months of age, you can use the Baby Check app to find out if they need to see a health professional.

        আরও পড়ুন

        Other campaigns

        Illustration of a baby sleeping on their back and smiling slightly. Surrounded by the words 'Safer Sleep week'

        নিরাপদ ঘুম সপ্তাহ

        Safer Sleep Week is our national awareness campaign targeting anyone looking after a young baby. We raise awareness of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and life-saving safer sleep advice.

        নিরাপদ ঘুম সপ্তাহ