Nurse covers newborn baby's mouth with tape because he was 'crying too much'

The incident reportedly occurred at the Cebu Maternity Hospital in the Philippines

A father has launched a media campaign after a nurse reportedly stuck tape over his newborn baby’s mouth – because the infant was crying too much.

Ryan Noval posted images of the incident, which took place at the Cebu Maternity Hospital in the Philippines, on his Facebook page, showing his son with the sticky strip across his mouth and cheeks.

Mr Noval wrote: “Meet my son Yohannes Noval!! He cannot speak about his horrific experience from the attending nurse's hands inside Maternity Hospital's nursery…so we have to speak out for him.

“If you think your new born babies are safe, think again. Your babies could be silent victims and you will never really know about it!!!”

According to ABS-CBN News, a nurse used the tape to quiet the baby when he would not stop crying.

His mother discovered what had happened when she visited Yohannes in the nursery on Friday, but when she asked the nurse to remove the tape, she said she was told to do it herself.

The couple have filed a complaint against the nurse and an investigation is underway.