The Lullaby Trust (@lullabytrust)

We’ve all been in the situation where you freeze, and later look back and wish you’d done things differently. Have you ever wished you’d spoken up more on behalf of your baby, for example if unwell visitors invite themselves over, or somebody kisses your baby? There’s no use beating yourself up about it. It’s better to focus your energy on preparing for if a similar thing happens again, so you can feel confident you will say and do exactly what you want to. If any of the scenarios in these graphics feel familiar to you, this is your sign to prepare a couple of phrases that you can keep in your back pocket, and pull out whenever somebody (often unintentionally) crosses your boundary. #BabySafety #BabyIllness #BabyInfection

Our recent survey found that, alarmingly, over half of parents and carers have had a friend or family member kiss their baby without their permission! We hear too often from parents and carers who feel awkward, embarrassed or even guilty for asking visitors not to kiss their baby. But protecting your baby from infection, particularly in the first few weeks of life, is so important. If you're a parent or carer and you're struggling with this, our new webpage 'Talking to visitors' gives you tools and phrases to make these tricky conversations with loved ones much easier. And if you're reading this and you're due to visit a new baby soon, or you may see a baby when out and about, remember this advice. You can help to keep babies safe.

#InfectionPreventionWeek #IPW2026 #InfectionPrevention #BabySafety

Wave of light 2026 🕯️ We light this virtual candle tonight, alongside thousands of bereaved families across the country. As each candle flickers bringing warmth during this this wave of light, we remember the precious babies who lit up our lives, but sadly died too soon. Though each light is small, together they shine brightly across the world tonight. Please feel free to comment the name of the little one you are remembering for this Wave of Light, every Wave of Light, and always. #BLAW #BabyLoss #BabyLossAwarenessWeek

What do you wish other people understood about grief after the death of a baby or young child? This Baby Loss Awareness Week, we want to make space for the experiences of bereaved families and help build greater understanding of what grief can really be like. There’s no single way to grieve, and sometimes the things that are hardest to explain are the things we most wish other people understood. If you’ve experienced the death of a baby or young child, we’d love to hear from you. Is there something you wish people had understood about your grief? It could be something you wish someone had said, something you’ve found difficult, or something you’ve learnt along the way. You can share as much or as little as feels right for you. And if you’d rather not share publicly, that’s okay too. If you’d like to talk to someone privately, our Bereavement Support Team is here to listen. You can contact us by phone, email, WhatsApp, webchat or social media. Thank you to everyone who chooses to share their experiences. Your words may help someone else feel understood, less alone, or simply know that what they’re experiencing is not something they have to face by themselves. #BabyLossAwarenessWeek #BLAW #BabyLoss #Grief #BereavementSupport #TheLullabyTrust

A huge thank you to @maddiebiggs22for supporting so many bereaved families through their darkest times. Visit our website for ways we can support you. #BLAW #BabyLoss #BabyLossAwarenessWeek

What happens when you contact The Lullaby Trust for bereavement support? 💛 For Baby Loss Awareness Week, Sarah from our Bereavement Support Team is giving you a little glimpse behind the scenes of what happens when you reach out to us. We’re a small team, and behind every call, message and email is a real person, in a confidential space, who is there to listen, understand and support you. You don’t need to know what you need before you contact us. You might have questions, need practical information, want to talk about your baby, or simply need someone to listen. There’s no right way to ask for support, and no right time to reach out. Whether your baby or young child died recently or many years ago, we’re here whenever you need us, in the way that feels right for you. During Baby Loss Awareness Week, we want to help build awareness and make sure that everyone affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a baby or young child knows that support is available and knows where they can turn. #BabyLossAwarenessWeek #BLAW #BabyLoss #BereavementSupport #TheLullabyTrust

Content note: baby loss It all started at Jane’s kitchen table 💭 Jane de Selincourt’s baby, Martin, died in 1969. Wanting to support other bereaved families, Jane started a bereavement support helpline. Our bereavement support helpline has supported thousands of people since it first began. What is now a national support service for families and professionals, started off as Jane’s phone ringing at her family home. It’s people like you, with your unwavering support, that have got us here. Whether you are going through your darkest moments, or you’d like to simply speak to someone about a loved one that you miss, our bereavement support helpline is there for you, forever. Since the calls at Jane’s table, we’ve also expanded our bereavement support services to include WhatsApp and Webchat, so we can support people in the ways that are best for them. Jane never imagined that so much good would come from Martin’s legacy. You don’t have to wait until you’re in crisis to reach out for support. Reach out to us on our helpline. #BLAW #BabyLoss #BabyLossAwarenessWeek

"If your family and friends respect you and love you, your boundaries shouldn’t be a problem." Paige lives in Nottinghamshire with her husband Alex, and their three-month-old son, Oakley. Paige spoke to us for Infection Prevention Week, about how important setting boundaries with visitors is for your baby after Oakley spent a night in hospital. This is what she said: "One evening, I could just tell that something wasn’t right. I then noticed he had some sucking in at the ribs when he was breathing. Oakley ended up spending a night in hospital. “They did various further tests and we were able to come home the next day, thankfully. They believe it was the start of a cold or bronchiolitis. After a few days of being groggy at home, he fully recovered. “The theme for Infection Prevention Week this year, 'Your baby, your boundaries', really resonates with me. After our hospital visit, I was constantly thinking about who was seeing Oakley, and I was really conscious of anyone trying to kiss him. “It can all happen so fast and it’s hard to intervene in the moment. It can also feel awkward to tell people not to do that. Older generations in particular have lived through a lot of change when it comes to baby care. “We don’t kiss babies in the early months in this day and age – it's that simple! “Setting boundaries with loved ones about your baby is always more awkward in your head. Often, people are very understanding. I’d suggest that you just remind people that you’re not trying to keep your baby away from them or punish them. “Your baby might be other people’s niece, nephew or grandchild, but they are your baby. What you say, goes. Other people have to respect it, and they do! “Family would never knowingly pass on an infection, but raising awareness of how harmful a small sniffle can be for babies is important. When Oakley was in hospital, it made me take a step back and realise just how important this infection prevention advice is. And now I say to visitors, ‘look what can happen if you do something as simple as kiss a baby.' “It might be awkward for a short time to firmly set boundaries with visitors, but it’s so much better to do that, than be where we ended up that Friday night. “Time flies and soon that little baby will be old enough for kisses – it's not such a big deal to just wait until it’s safe!"

Content note: baby loss "I didn’t know a cold sore could kill my baby." Meg and Ben's daughter, Magnolia, died at ten days old in February this year from disseminated neonatal herpes. It was caused by HSV-1 that had come from a cold sore. "Everyone’s heard of herpes, but there’s such a stigma attached to it. Most people have only heard of it as the STD." We asked Meg her thoughts on encouraging parents and carers to set boundaries with visitors on behalf of their baby. "Newborns have immature immune systems so setting your boundaries is a must. If you’re worried about asking family to not visit yet, or to wash their hands and not kiss the baby, I’d say please do your best to pluck up the courage." "At the end of the day, it could save your baby’s life not having someone round. It’s worth the extra few days of not meeting them if it means you still get a lifetime worth of memories with them. If people saw what Maggie’s tiny body had to endure, they wouldn’t think twice about waiting to visit." "I think it needs to become normal and common sense not to go and visit a baby if you’re poorly or have a cold sore. The more parents that find that courage and know about the dangers of why you should firmly set your boundaries, the more it’ll become commonly accepted." Meg told us that she wants to make sure that other families aren’t in the same position she is, in Maggie’s memory.

You get to decide what’s best for your baby. If that means no visitors for a while, that’s absolutely fine.💫 Babies have immature immune systems which means they’re more at risk of infections, especially in their first few weeks of life. Infections that might be mild in older children or adults can be serious in babies and can even be life-threatening, so it’s important to take steps to keep them safe. #BabyInfection #InfectionPreventionWeek

The Baby Check app allows you to assess your baby’s symptoms quickly and confidently, through 17 simple questions. The app will tell you whether you need to see a health professional or not. Peace of mind, in your pocket. #InfectionPreventionWeek #IPW2026 #InfectionPrevention #BabySafety

Ever been in some tricky situations where your boundaries about your baby haven’t been respected? Our new webpage will help you set boundaries on behalf of your baby kindly and confidently. As well as helping you prepare for any push-back. #InfectionPrevention #ImmuneSystem #WashHands ##Newborn #Maternity #Parenting #BabySafety

Content note: baby loss. Sarah and Craig’s son, Ezrah, died from a Group B Strep infection when he was just 19 days old 💜. "I'd read all the books, attended the classes. But nothing gave me the knowledge I needed that day." Ezrah wouldn't feed well, cried with a high-pitched cry, and hadn't had a dirty nappy. Sarah looked at each sign in isolation, and felt she was overreacting. "I really felt I was being dramatic." When they noticed Ezrah’s temperature had risen in 30 minutes, Sarah and Craig called 111. At hospital, Ezrah was rushed straight to resus as he was showing signs of sepsis. Ezrah was transferred to a specialist children's hospital but the brain damage was unsurvivable. Sarah and Craig held him as they said goodbye. "Knowledge is power. Being told about The Lullaby Trust’s Baby Check app could've saved Ezrah's life. Being told more about infections by midwives could’ve saved Ezrah’s life." “I am so pleased to see The Lullaby Trust’s Infection Prevention Week every year. Though I couldn’t have stopped Ezrah becoming unwell, if I’d known what I know now, I could’ve reacted quicker and that might have made a difference.” This Infection Prevention Week, Sarah has a message for every parent and carer: "Newborn babies are so vulnerable. If you really want to show your love and support, respect the boundaries families put in place. Wash your hands. Don't kiss the baby. That is love." Thank you to Sarah and Craig for sharing their story, in the hope that no other family has to experience what they did💜 Please share this post far and wide. Ezrah’s story has the power to save babies' lives.

Looking after your baby’s health includes taking everyday steps to reduce their risk of infection, especially in the first few weeks of life when they are most vulnerable. Simple actions like encouraging visitors to wash their hands before they hold your baby, and asking visitors (or even strangers) not to kiss your baby, help to protect them. Unfortunately, we hear from parents and carers that sometimes, their family and friends might be upset by these boundaries. But this Infection Prevention Week, we're here to remind you that this is your baby, and these are your boundaries. It’s okay to prioritise your baby’s wellbeing. Taking these steps doesn’t mean you’re being overprotective or overcautious – it means you’re following the latest advice to help keep your baby safe. You get to decide what’s best for your baby. #InfectionPreventionWeek #IPW2026 #InfectionPrevention #BabySafety

Team Lullaby smashed it at the Great North Run 2026🥲 A huge thank you to all our runners - you are all true Lullaby Heroes. Your amazing fundraising efforts will enable us to support families during incredibly difficult times. Feeling Inspired!?  It could be you on that start line in 2027. If you’re keen to take on the epic Great North Run for Team Lullaby, complete an enquiry form before it’s too late! Comment for the link #greatnorthrun

If your baby needs lots of outfit changes, they're not a diva, they’re just following safer sleep! Learn more in the link in bio 🚼 @Lottie | motherhood simplified