NI babies 'at risk' - charity

A concerned caller contacted the NSPCC helpline about the baby who was not fed regularly, and the charity contacted children's services to ask for an assessment to be carried out on the baby's situation.

The figures were released by the NSPCC on Tuesday, but the organisation claims there are more babies at risk who are not getting the help they need.

The charity is calling for services that work with parents to recognise and tackle these problems and for the public to contact their helpline if they are concerned about a baby.

Neil Anderson, national Head of Service in Northern Ireland, said: "We are taking action and calling on the Executive to support us and stop abuse and neglect happening in the first place by investing in early intervention and frontline services working with babies including both universal health visiting services and more targeted evidence-based programmes such as the Family Nurse Partnership.

"To help keep families safe, it is vital that problems are picked up early and for appropriate support be put in place. Services need to think about the whole family - not only helping parents deal with drink and drug problems, for example, but also ensuring they are able to care for their baby. Services must be available before it reaches crisis point."

TV psychologist and NSPCC Helpline Ambassador, Dr Linda Papadopoulos is backing the NSPCC's call for action.

"A baby's first year provides the essential foundations for all future learning, behaviour and health. Harm at this age can have lifelong consequences," she said.

"Older children may be able to confide in someone or call ChildLine if there is a problem, but obviously babies can't. This makes it even more important that any concerns are reported straight away to the NSPCC Helpline."