A mother has been charged with the murder of her six-week-old baby after the girl was found with fatal stab wounds in a house in Newcastle.

Emergency services were called to the house in Curry Street at Wallsend at 9:00am Friday morning.

They found the body of the baby, thought to be about six weeks old.

It is understood the girl suffered wounds to her throat, however police would not comment on her injuries.

Her 26-year-old mother was arrested and has been charged with murder.

She was refused bail and is due to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Saturday.

Neighbours struggle to come to terms with death

Ellen Graf, who lives nearby, said she would often see the mother in the community.

"I used to see the lady going out a lot with the little lady," she said, describing them as "very nice people".

"Two ambulances came with their sirens blaring. The police were there and we were wondering what happened.

"One of my neighbours said she saw the police taking the mother out in handcuffs, screaming."

Neighbour Lynne Northey, who has lived in the area for more than 50 years, said the news had been hard to digest.

"You can't take it in," she said.

"My mind is going a thousand miles an hour.

"You feel for the police but you feel for the family. How do they go forward? What caused it?"