It is all to easy for a small baby to be accidentally injured unwittingly by their older sibling or by an older child in general. For this reason you need to always be present when your baby is in the company of older children.

No matter how many times you explain a child does not fully comprehend how delicate a baby is and sadly even the best meaning of siblings or friends can accidentally cause injury to an infant. Children love to copy adults and they will quickly attempt to replicate what they see, sometimes with alarming results.

Children attempt to carry a baby without being able to support their heads or by grabbing them around the neck tightly. A baby dropped in this way can receive injuries that have life long consequences.

Even a toddler wanting to cuddle their sibling does not always know their own strength so you must always supervise them accordingly, obviously you don't want to discourage such displays of affection but babies safety is paramount.

A child simply does not see the every day dangers around them and they can not predict consequences for their or the baby's well being.

Stair cases, pencils poked in eyes, sharp implements, electrical sockets, swimming pools; the list is endless but the danger to a small baby is very real and you need to be extremely careful to monitor your baby around older children. Even a brother or sister can cause harm to their sibling even when you presume they know better. It is easy for play to become boisterous around a small baby.

Unlike a pet your baby can not escape rough and tumble so they can all to easily end up hurt in the process of a game.

With this in mind the risk increases as the number of children around does. Children together can easily become over excited or over adventuress and even influence each other to do things they know they shouldn't. If you can not supervise your baby then remove them from the area and keep them with you.

Always ensure friends or family are aware of the risks if they are watching your baby for you. Children of friends may well be fascinated with the baby, often they are drawn to babies like a magnet but you must be clear to others about supervising your baby at all times. It is far better to be honest about your concerns to protect your baby than learning the hard way.

It can be alarming to learn the actual figures involved when it comes to babies injured by older children, enough to make you realise they can not be left unattended for a moment.