{"id":2077,"date":"2022-06-03T19:00:30","date_gmt":"2022-06-03T09:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fasttrainingaustralia.com.au\/?p=2077"},"modified":"2025-05-01T15:13:57","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T05:13:57","slug":"infant-mental-health-can-you-make-a-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fasttrainingaustralia.com.au\/infant-mental-health-can-you-make-a-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"Infant Mental Health – Can YOU make a difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"

In an ever-changing world, that runs at a crazy fast pace, emerging from a pandemic that has reshaped our world \u2013 many are taking the time to pause and reflect. It has made us all rethink our lives, to think more about our work, our health, the future, the future for our children and the desire for both a positive future and outcomes.<\/p>\n

\"baby-feet\"<\/p>\n

The Pandemic has made us rethink all parts of our lives – particularly the desire for a positive future for our children<\/em><\/p>\n

What we have learned about an adult who has suffered trauma or poor mental health in later life, is that it generally stems from both the internal and external influences, plus environment from very early childhood<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"Mother<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s talk about Infant Mental Health.<\/h2>\n

Have you ever heard the expression that it \u201ctakes a village to raise a child<\/strong>\u201d?<\/p>\n

Is there truth that the environment and adversity experienced in the early years can have an impact on an Infant’s Mental Health?<\/p>\n

The simple answer is YES.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why is that? and what is the infant health period I am referring to?<\/strong><\/p>\n

It refers to the development period from being in the womb to 3 years old.<\/p>\n

\"boy-touching-mums-pregnant-belly\"<\/p>\n

The precious time between being in the womb to 3 years old is referred to the Infant Health period.<\/em><\/p>\n

Infants and toddlers can experience mental health issues that shape their brain and ultimately shape their future. It can be more difficult to recognise and more difficult to diagnose, however these very early experiences may affect lifelong health, behaviours and learning.<\/p>\n

Have you ever heard of the term \u2018bonding<\/strong>\u2019? and the impact bonding has to social, emotional, physical, cognitive and mental health development?<\/p>\n

\"Mum<\/p>\n

Bonding is essential for normal infant development.<\/p>\n

Bonding and attachment occur when a caregiver can provide love, warmth and care. When a caregiver provides a nurturing environment, it allows a child to have future healthy relationships with other people throughout life and to experience\/express a full range of emotions.<\/p>\n

I am relating experiences here from my own team members’ life experiences, that have made a visible impact to an infant or toddler\u2019s mental health and in some cases additionally their physical well-being due to the external environment for growth and development.<\/p>\n

If there is one thing that is universal in terms of an infant needs \u2013 it is the opportunity to feel safe and loved, and to receive \u2018predictable<\/strong><\/em>\u2019 caregiver relationships.<\/p>\n

Sometimes it can be difficult for a caregiver to provide \u2018predictable\u2019 care and in some cases beyond their ability to change the outcomes.<\/p>\n

There might be a range of reasons why this is difficult such as:<\/p>\n