A group of early years practitioners recently came together to share learning and best practice emphasising the importance of infant mental health and good parent-infant relationships during a child’s first 1,001 days.
The first 1,001 days, from conception until the age of two, are a critical time in a baby’s development.
The ‘Infant at the Centre’ workshop at the end of February at the Bob Jones Community Hub and was organised by the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Public Health and Family Hubs teams.
The workshop included speakers from The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust 0-19 team and the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Under 5s Service. Practitioners who work directly with parents and infants during this critical period of the first 1,001 days were also invited to attend the event.
Delegates discussed the importance of observation and communication with families in identifying infant mental health and the relationship between babies and their parents.
The event also outlined the criteria and referral process into specialist mental health services, as well as local wellbeing support available to families and online resources that enhance parent-infant relationships.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said: “During pregnancy and the first two years of a child’s life, the interaction a baby has with their parents and carers helps brain development and ensures that their infant feels loved and secure.
“Having caring and nurturing relationships as well as good access to support services are the basis for good infant mental health, helping babies have the best start to life.”
Councillor Jacqui Coogan, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, added: “The workshop was an important event to bring practitioners from across health and children’s social care together to share good practice.
“We will continue connecting with partners to shape priorities and develop local pathways in this crucial area.”
A wide range of information is available about infant mental health and parent-infant relationships, including:
Meanwhile, parents can access trusted NHS health advice, practical tips for their young children, and information on local support available in the city on the Healthy Child Wolves and DadPad apps. These can be downloaded for free from Google Play or the App Store.
Healthy Child Wolves
DadPad
