THANKS
We can all help to keep babies safe by following THANKS: Think Hands And No KisseS.
Newborn Infection Prevention Campaign
About the campaign
Why it’s important
Young babies have immature immune systems. Even infections that are considered ‘mild’ in older children and adults can be life-threatening for babies.
What we’re doing
Alongside our Campaign Ambassador, the UK’s No 1 children’s cookery author Annabel Karmel MBE, we’re encouraging all visitors to follow the THANKS guidance:
Think Hands And No KisseS
Press enquiries
Phone: 020 7802 3202 (out of hours 0786 0178 605)
Email: communications@lullabytrust.org.uk
Annabel Karmel on infection prevention
Annabel Karmel lost her daughter, Natasha, at three months old. Natasha died after contracting the cold sore virus (HSV1). This infection is often mild in adults but can be fatal for young babies.
Annabel has teamed up with The Lullaby Trust to help us raise awareness on this vital issue. Watch this video to hear more of Annabel and Natasha’s story and what can be done to prevent infection in those first few months of life.
Content note: this video is about baby loss.
The guidance
Our survey of 2,300 new and expectant parents showed that more than half were unaware that kissing a young baby can put them at risk of serious infection.
We're encouraging all visitors to follow this advice:
Wash hands
Always wash your hands before touching or holding a baby
No kisses
Friends and family from outside the home should not kiss a young baby
Don't visit if ill
It's important not to visit a new baby if you are ill or have been ill recently
We have created a new page for parents, covering this vital information in more detail.
New animation
A simple explanation for families to share, showing how everyone can help keep babies safe from infections.
Infection Prevention Posters
Our publications have been created in consultation with the British Paediatric Allergy, Immunity and Infection Group (BPAIIG), an affiliated speciality group of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH). All our posters are free to download.
Spotting infections
A list of signs and symptoms that might mean a baby has an infection.
Tell a health professional
The key information that may give a health professional clues as to why a baby is unwell.
Other resources
Buy a buggy tag
Our new THANKS buggy tags are available to purchase in the shop. They attach to your buggy, reminding people to think twice about touching your baby while you’re out and about, particularly if they haven’t washed their hands.
Buy now
Download a red book insert
We have summarised the campaign in a handy sheet to be inserted in every newborn's red book.
Download nowBeth and Joshua's story
Annabel Karmel interviews Beth, a fellow parent who lost her baby, Joshua, to an infection.
In the video, Beth explains how, even after losing Joshua, she felt anxious about asking visitors to respect her boundaries when her second child, Rory, came along because it’s such a difficult thing to do. However, we know that if all visitors committed to washing their hands and not giving kisses in those early months, more babies’ lives would be saved.
Content note: this video is about baby loss.
