Calling the police to check on a crying baby

Since your neighbours knew your baby had colic and that you were doing your best to soothe them, it would be very strange for someone to call the police under those circumstances.

Someone who could hear your baby 100m away, along with shouting and slamming doors isn't the same situation.

That's a completely unnecessary amount if time.

I think it’s wrong to call the police! Have you had a new born who has colic or who cry’s? & no sleep so the parents argue? Has one one ever been though that? Calling the police is over the top! If you were really worried why wouldn’t you go over & ask how she is & if you could help in any way!

I am absolutely appalled at the amount of people that think you are being unreasonable for phoning the police!!!! If ever you hear domestic abuse and you know that a child is present, you should absolutely phone the police!!!!

I remember dawn raids to get women out of abusive situations. I remember cleaning crews when people weren’t coping. We had a secret Santa where people sent presents to each other.
I was invited to nap in a mumsnetter’s central london flat because working full time with a non sleeping baby was killing me.
people sent food parcels

Obviously a better quality of call handler. Thankfully!!

I was expressing my scepticism that the poster I quoted was a Social Worker.

And understand what is being said too. That might be important too…

Exactly!

Were you in mumsnet in 2008, @LittleBearPad ?

Yeah, I guess you’d be able to hear the crying, shouting and door slamming even louder if you were closer.

Exactly.

plus it pays to remember, I can say I'm a Surgeon, doesn't mean I actually am! (I'm definitely not! 🤣)

These threads always go the same way. No the relevant authority is not social services. It’s definitely the police. The OP did the right thing. If there is a domestic disturbance then they are in the position to deal with it. They might make onwards referal to social services if further support is warranted.

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at the idea of some kind of social services flying squad for out of hours disturbances involving children 🦸‍♀️

Op did the right thing by calling the police. She described the situation and then there are trained people to assess if it is a police matter. General public doesn't have to decide if it is worthy of a visit. You can always call emergency services if you are unsure. They actually encourage it.

Best case scenario is that police turns up and it is just baby crying and two very tired and embaressed parents. Worst case scenario is, well you know.

@summermumma2021 You 100% did the right thing & I hope you got some sleep in the end!!

you passed on the information to the authorities , if they feel they don’t need to act you’ve done your part which is all we can do as reasonable citizens!!

I'm glad they did check!

to those saying she shouldn’t have acted on it she sounds like she made a reasonable decision in uncertain circumstances

surely it’s better to act & find out all was well than to not act & find out all was not well

So 'lesson will be learnt' us as much higwash as we assumed it would be.

Same. I had awful times. But OP said it sounded different and her gut said otherwise.

I’d rather check and be wrong.

I called the police when overheard some horrendous stuff. I couldn’t figure out which house at the back it was but could direct the police. Due to the sounds and intensity the police did check. Turned out a child had been harmed by an adult.

I could have ignored it. I could have thought it was a standard argument. But something just wasn’t right.

Cobblers. Your rose tinted glasses are misleading you.

Good to know.

so many poor babies have been abused - it’s worth the risk of being wrong.

people belittling OP need to check themselves.

Yes, that's exactly what I'm suggesting. We call the police everytime we hear a baby cry.
🙄🙄🙄🙄

Your comprehension could do with some improvement.

Most adults know when something doesn't sound right/ usual.

It won't do the baby (the most vulnerable person here) any harm if the police check on it. If there's a DA situation bc the woman can get help, even if she doesn't use that opportunity she will know people around them care & it may give her the courage to do something about her situation.

most adults can tell the difference between an unsettled colicky baby & a distressed baby.& even if they get it wrong it's better than just ignoring a vulnerable baby the police would rather check than have something happen to a baby.

That’s true - people really did help each other on mn back then. You wouldn’t have had calling the police and “sitting right”, you’d have had 16 DBS checked women consisting of breastfeeding support workers, relationship experts and sling consultants, with a support motorcade of food and gin

I feel so sad for the parents having a tough time and then having the police called on them 😱

I can’t imagine doing that. I had a colic baby who cried nonstop despite my best efforts and yes there were a few raised voice moments and tears from me too. Thank God we had kind neighbours who only expressed sympathy and support.

OP was 100m away. She decided no one was consoling the baby. Had she have walked past she maybe would have heard someone singing to it, or shhhing it. She might have seen someone walking round with it, through a window and some parents trying their best.

Well my son had colic and screamed non stop for a couple of hours every evening, regardless of what we did. It would of sent me over the top if the police were added to the mix.
The slamming doors etc is different though - better safe than sorry.

Three years ago. We had to leave the house for safety.