Question: Should New Births Be Advertised/Promoted?
Occasional stories are surfacing on a disturbing trend in which newborns are snatched from their homes, sometimes from the very arms of the new mom. The caregiver is often physically attacked or hurt during the kidnapping. There have also been cases where a woman about to give birth is killed and the infant taken from the womb. What can be done to help protect yourself or loved ones from this rare, but heinous, crime of baby kidnapping, and should parents "advertise" a baby's birth?
Answer: Who hasn't seen the signs proudly displayed on lawns or the front door spreading happy news of a new arrival to a family? Pink or blue storks, or similar characters, often proclaim the happy date of the child's birth, name, and even names and sometimes ages of older siblings. Birth announcements in local newspapers have also been a typical practice so that parents could clip the item and place it in the beloved baby's scrapbook. But is this a good idea?
Baby kidnapping is not necessarily a new crime, but the motivation for it has perhaps changed in recent times. Most commonly, these unthinkable acts are carried out by a desperate woman or couple whose child has died or whose efforts to have a baby has been plagued by miscarriages or infertility. Sometimes, a woman has "faked" her own pregnancy and now needs the proof of an infant. Tragically, the baby kidnapping often comes at the loss of the new mom's own life. While police have been quite successful in finding the infant, who has usually been cared for and is safe, this scary crime raises the question as to what new parents should and shouldn't do in terms of celebrating the birth of their new child.
While this type of crime is truly rare, concerned family members along with caring medical staff, friends, and local police urge parents to think carefully before broadcasting a new birth. The act is especially troubling because the victims and the criminals typically do not know other; the act is truly one that is impulse-based and a one-time crime. The kidnapper often has no criminal record. The motivation is simple: to get a baby (while race and age is important, typically gender isn't). So, what should you do?
Before broadcasting the news of a baby's birth, or taking your tot out in public, consider the following:
- Is it important to you to have a yard sign, or is there another way to promote the happy news? A yard sign should not necessarily be an automatic "no," but parents will need to consider their home's safety and overall security, and whether there will be adults in the home along with the new mom and infant. Yes, there is safety in numbers.
- Is there another option to publishing a public birth announcement? Many hospitals now feature secured birth announcements on a website, in which the new parents pick a security password and then send it to recipients of choice. Some hospitals have even created a printer-friendly birth announcement that can be placed in the baby's book in lieu of a general newspaper announcement.
- What other announcement methods can be considered? The Internet has made sending the news with baby details, along with a photo, easy and immediate. Families can create a birth announcement list in advance, so that all that needs to be done is fill in the key dates, attach a photo, and press "send." Traditional birth announcements also are considered keepsakes, and can be either mailed or e-mailed, to selected recipients. A front door wreath or something denoting a baby, but without all the details, is still considered a better choice than broadcasting a lot of information. In other words, consider telling those people you care about and want to know, and don't tempt people desperate for a baby or flaunt the news in any way. That's the safest decision that could provide the best piece of mind.
- What are other safety concerns? The potential for baby kidnapping doesn't end after the first few weeks. While not going overboard in becoming afraid to take their infant out, parents should be very aware of how and where they travel and exposure they provide to their young child. If possible, don't travel alone (a good rule to follow for multiple reasons), remain in very public areas, and be cautious of strangers coming up with who display over-the-top interest in the child. New parents are often so proud of their new child that they may unwittingly give out too much information. Be wary if strangers start asking where you live, if you work, and other personal questions.
- How do I choose a caregiver? Be sure to carefully check over all safety protocols at a potential daycare before placing your new baby there. If possible, observe parents picking up their infants at the end of the day, and whether the processes you are told about are actually utilized in practice. If you're using an in-home provider, ask about safety rules, including how the caregiver reacts to strangers ringing the doorbell, what type of locks are in place, etc. If you're using a family member employ a babysitter, be sure to go over safety requirements.
- Can I take my baby in public? Of course! In the end, just do what feels right and makes you most comfortable. Don't go into hiding with your young infant; however, avoid placing yourself in any risky situation. Be sure to tell a family member or friend where you're going and when you'll be home. And limit public outings, which is a good idea from a health standpoint anyway.More Child Care Q&A
