Baby Check app
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.
New poll shows more than half of new parents say someone has kissed their baby without asking
More than half (57%) of parents/carers surveyed say a family member has kissed their baby without asking, and almost half (46%) feel uncomfortable asking loved ones to wash their hands before touching or holding their baby.
The findings highlight how difficult parents and carers can find it to speak up when someone wants to touch or kiss their baby – especially when they feel uncomfortable.
This year’s theme for Infection Prevention Week 2026 is ‘your baby, your boundaries’ and we want parents and carers to know that protecting their baby from infection, particularly in the first few weeks of life when babies are most vulnerable, is something they never need to justify. While these conversations can feel awkward, we want to help you feel empowered to set boundaries confidently, without guilt or worrying about whether other people might be offended or view you as ‘over-cautious’. After all, your baby’s health comes before anyone else’s feelings.
Meg’s daughter, Magnolia, died at ten days old in February from the HSV-1 virus that had come from a cold sore. She said:
“The virus came from me which is so devastatingly hard to now live with the fact. I had developed a primary HSV infection in my mouth the day I gave birth. A primary HSV-1 infection is especially contagious as it is even easier to transmit. I didn’t know this nor did I know it was HSV within my mouth. I had asked health professionals and was reassured that it wasn’t HSV. I don’t even know how I contracted the virus as no one around me had cold sores at the time, but that’s what’s so dangerous about it, it can be anywhere.
“The theme for Infection Prevention Week 2026 resonates with me massively. My baby died from HSV that came from me, but it could’ve been anyone. It all comes down to the fact that no one in our family or friends knew a cold sore could kill a baby despite most regularly having cold sores themselves. I think it’s so important that all parents know this. Newborns have immature immune systems so setting your boundaries when it comes to touching and kissing your baby is a must as it could save your baby’s life.”
As part of Infection Prevention Week 2026, we’ve launched a brand-new webpage to help parents and carers navigate awkward conversations with close loved ones and strangers to protect their baby from infections. The page is full of practical advice and suggested phrases for setting boundaries kindly and confidently and aims to give them the confidence to stand firm when it comes to their baby’s wellbeing.
Boundaries apply wherever they are – not just at home. If a stranger reaches out to touch or kiss a baby while out and about, parents have every right to step in and say no.
Our tips for setting infection-prevention boundaries include:
Jenny Ward, our chief executive, said: “We know that parents can feel awkward, embarrassed or even guilty about asking someone not to kiss their baby, wash their hands or keep their distance when they’re unwell. But protecting your baby from infection is never something you need to justify. Your baby’s health comes first, and it is absolutely okay to set boundaries around who touches, holds or kisses your baby.
“We want parents to feel confident saying what they need, whether they’re talking to a close family member or a stranger who reaches out to touch their baby. Some families might find it difficult setting boundaries with grandparents for example, who may have been given different advice when they had their babies. But you are not being rude or overprotective – you are doing what you can to protect your baby and these conversations can make a big difference. We hope our new webpage gives parents the confidence they need to do this.”
Discover more
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 set boundaries.
Preventing infection
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.
Paige’s story
Paige lives in Nottinghamshire with her husband Alex, and their three-month-old son, Oakley. Paige spoke to us for Infection Prevention Week 2026, about setting boundaries with visitors.