--- title: "Preventing Infant Abduction at Sutter Health" description: "Learn how to keep your baby safe in the hospital and at home. Discover key tips for preventing infant abduction and ensuring peace of mind for new parents." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/infant-security" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Health and wellness](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health) / 3. Infant Security # Keeping Your Newborn Safe: Preventing Infant Abduction Learn how to recognize staff, follow security policies and protect your baby at home. * * * October 7, 2025 Welcoming your baby into the world is a joyful and emotional time. At [Sutter birth centers](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-location-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_locationType%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Birth+Center%22%5D%7D%5D&limit=10&query=%22Birth+Center%22&verticalKey=healthcare_facilities), we share your excitement — and your commitment to protecting your [newborn](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/newborn-and-baby-care). While infant abduction is extremely rare, it’s important to understand hospital safety practices and know how you can help keep your baby secure.  ![A row of newborn babies in a hospital ward.](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/people/babies/infant-hospital-600x300.jpg) By learning a few key guidelines and staying aware of your surroundings, you can feel confident your baby is safe during your hospital stay and after you return home.  ## Partnering for Safety Your hospital team takes every precaution to ensure your baby’s safety, but your awareness and involvement make that protection even stronger. Here’s what you can do: - **Ask about security policies.** Learn how your hospital monitors infant safety and who to contact with questions. - **Become familiar with your care team.** Get to know the nurses and staff who will care for you and your baby. - **Check identification.** Never hand your baby to anyone without an official hospital ID badge. If someone unfamiliar enters your room, alert the nursing staff immediately. - **Go with your baby for tests.** Ask who ordered the test, where it will take place, and how long it will last. You or your partner can accompany your baby. - **Keep your baby close.** When your baby is in your room, place the bassinet beside your bed on the side farthest from the door. - **Leave your baby in the crib when outside your room.** Always use the wheeled bassinet instead of carrying your baby in your arms. - **Never leave your baby alone.** If you need to step away or rest, ask a nurse to watch your baby or take them to the nursery. - **Share safety information.** Talk with your family and friends about hospital security procedures so everyone understands the importance of following them. Many parents choose to keep their baby in the room, and that’s a wonderful way to bond. If you need help soothing your baby, your nurse is there to assist you and can share calming techniques to use at home, too. ## Visitors and Family Policies Find out early what the hospital’s visitor policies are for labor, delivery and recovery. These rules are in place for your baby’s safety — not to inconvenience your family. Encourage loved ones to follow these guidelines so everyone can help keep your baby secure. ## Stay Alert at Home While infant abduction from the home is extremely rare, a few simple precautions can give you peace of mind: - **Avoid sharing personal details.** Don’t give your address or phone number to strangers. - **Don’t display outdoor signs.** Skip lawn signs or banners announcing your baby’s birth. - **Limit information in the media.** Avoid posting public birth announcements in newspapers or on social media. - **Never leave your baby unattended.** Keep your baby with you at all times, even at home. - **Use caution with visitors.** Only allow people you know well into your home. If you ever have safety concerns, contact the [National Center for Missing and Exploited Children](https://www.missingkids.org/ "National Center for Missing and Exploited Children") at [800-843-5678](tel:800-843-5678). ## Peace of Mind for Every Family Your baby’s safety is our highest priority. By working together — parents, family members and hospital staff — we can create a secure environment for every newborn. ## Explore related topics [Newborns](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/articles?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_healthTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Newborns%22%5D%7D%2C%7B%22i%22%3A%22builtin.entityType%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Sutter+Health+Page%22%5D%7D%5D&limit=10&verticalKey=health-and-wellness) ## Care That Grows With Your Child From checkups to sick visits and everything in between, our [pediatricians](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/childrens-health) are here to support your child’s health at every stage. [Book an Appointment](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider-results?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22acceptingNewPatients%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5Btrue%5D%7D%2C%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_providerSpecialties.specialty.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Family+Medicine%22%2C%22Pediatrics%22%5D%7D%5D&limit=10&verticalKey=healthcare_professionals) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","name":"Preventing Infant Abduction at Sutter Health","description":"Learn how to keep your baby safe in the hospital and at home. 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