There’s a new trend in the world of horrific and scary crimes, and it involves stealing babies from their cribs. While the highest number of infant kidnappings used to occur in hospitals, increased security measures like security tagging each baby with bracelets and putting more guards in and around hospitals has lowered those numbers. However, now the kidnappers are stealing babies from their homes.

While the number of infant kidnappings remains relatively low (between 8 and 12 cases throughout the nation per year), the results are still devastating. In some of the cases, one or both of the parents are killed and some of the infants are never found.
 
Here’s what the experts are telling expecting and new parents to do:
 
Don’t be paranoid, but do be vigilant.
 
Be aware of uninvited strangers and visitors, both in and out of the hospital. Most kidnappers establish a relationship with parents before they kidnap the baby. In most cases, the kidnappers are women who can’t have children of their own or women who want to impress a boyfriend.
 
Don’t assume a person is a medical specialist unless they show you proper credentials, and even then, ask questions. Many kidnappers pose as nurses or doctors and say they are performing routine “follow-up” visits to the house.
 
Women in their third trimester of pregnancy should keep doors locked while home alone and travel with a friend. In some cases, infants have been stolen by performing C-sections on the mothers.
 
Don’t advertise the new baby. Newspaper ads and balloons and signs hanging in front yards might not be the wisest idea. Instead, alert your friends and family by phone.