Building Strong Foundations: A Guide to Infant Mental Health

Infant mental health is a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of early development that establishes the foundation for a child’s future well-being. During the first few years of life, typically from ages zero to three, an infant’s brain undergoes rapid growth, and the emotional bonds they form with caregivers play a vital role in shaping their cognitive, social, and emotional development. Understanding and supporting infant mental health is essential for fostering secure attachments and a strong start in life. It’s important to note that mental health in infants looks different than mental health in adults.

Mental health issues in infants can start before they are even born. For example, if the birthing parent used drugs while pregnant, the baby won’t necessarily have memory of this, but their body will. Bodies remember trauma which can alter their brain chemistry and development which impacts how they relate to and connect with people in the world. Additionally, having a traumatic birthing experience or being born with a medical condition can also impact the baby’s mental health as well. “Sometimes mental health issues in an infant can be impossible to prevent and aren’t always a result of anything the parents did, it may just be how the baby is born,” says Ashley Askins, Licensed Clinical Supervisor at Centerstone. However, things like healthy prenatal care and being in a safe and healthy environment while pregnant can help. After the baby is born, it is crucial to ensure that all of their needs are being met and that they are in a safe environment that will help them thrive.

It can be challenging for parents to discern the symptoms of mental health issues in their infant, as these symptoms can look very similar to other more common issues an infant can experience such as colic or even an upset stomach. Symptoms can appear very similar to regular baby behavior but on a more extreme level and can include the following:

• Excessive crying
• Inability to connect with their caregiver
• Issues with feeding and sleeping
• Failure to thrive – sometimes when babies don’t physically grow at a healthy pace, for example, it can be a sign of poor mental health

Most parents won’t be able to tell the difference between mental health symptoms and general baby behaviors due to how similarly they can present.Many times, parents will find a way to rationalize these symptoms by assuming there is something medically wrong as opposed to something in their environment that is resulting in these behaviors. This is why Askins recommends notifying your pediatrician as soon as you see any symptoms arise. Luckily, there are different therapy options and resources for infants experiencing mental health issues:

• Child-Parent Psychotherapy which is a trauma-informed therapy model that aims to support family strengths and relationships and help families heal and grow after stressful experiences.
• Child-Parent Interaction Therapy which helps the parent improve their interactions with the child.
• Early Head Start which is a federally funded program that provides early childhood education, health, and support services to low-income families with infants, toddlers, and pregnant women. It aims to promote young children’s development and strengthen parent-child relationships.
• Zero to Three is a non-profit organization that focuses on the healthy development of babies from ages zero to three.

By investing in the mental health of infants, we help ensure they have the resilience and stability needed to thrive throughout their lives. Prioritizing infant mental health today is an investment in a healthier, more emotionally secure tomorrow. To learn more about Centerstone’s infant mental health resources, call us at 877-HOPE 123 (1-877-467-3123) today.