For more information on therapy and trauma counseling, please call (209) 423-9333
Infant Mental Health
Infant Mental Health
Understanding Infant and Toddler Mental Health
Infant and toddler mental health focuses on the emotional well-being and development of children from birth to around age three. During these early years, babies form their first relationships, learn how to regulate emotions, and develop trust and safety through connection with caregivers. These early interactions shape how a child relates to others, manages stress, and experiences the world throughout life.
Even before they can speak, infants communicate through eye contact, body movement, coos, and cries. Their mental health is deeply connected to how caregivers notice and respond to these cues. When a caregiver can provide consistent, nurturing responses, it helps build secure attachment—a key foundation for healthy emotional and brain development.
What is Infant Mental Health?
Infant mental health is the understanding and support of the social, emotional, and relational development of infants and toddlers. It is not about labeling or diagnosing, but about observing and strengthening the caregiver-infant relationship. This work draws from developmental psychology, attachment theory, and neuroscience to foster safety, trust, and connection.
Sessions often involve both the caregiver and infant, allowing the therapist to observe and support the caregiver’s responses, promote attunement, and nurture co-regulation.
Why It’s Beneficial
Supporting mental health in infancy has lifelong benefits. It helps to:
- Strengthen secure attachment between caregiver and child
- Promote emotional regulation and resilience
- Encourage positive social and cognitive development
- Reduce early behavioral, sleep, or feeding concerns
- Support caregiver confidence and decrease stress
By focusing on emotional connection early, caregivers and infants together develop the foundation for healthy relationships and coping skills that continue throughout life.
How It Works
Infant mental health sessions typically include reflective discussion, guided interaction, and observation. The therapist helps caregivers understand their infant’s emotional cues, build confidence in responding sensitively, and deepen their connection through shared moments of joy and play.
One of the primary modalities used with infants at Breathing Though is FirstPlay® Therapy, a specialized developmental play modality.
What Is FirstPlay® Therapy?
FirstPlay® Therapy is a developmental, parent-infant/toddler play therapy model designed to strengthen attachment and promote healthy emotional development through nurturing touch and playful storytelling.
This evidence-informed approach integrates principles from infant mental health, attachment theory, and developmental play. Through guided interactions, caregivers learn to use gentle, structured play and story massage to foster secure attachment, sensory integration, and emotional regulation.
In sessions, caregivers are coached to engage their infant through soothing touch and storytelling, helping the child feel safe, seen, and connected. This process supports both the infant’s nervous system regulation and the caregiver’s sense of confidence and connection.
Benefits of FirstPlay® Therapy
- Strengthens parent-infant bonding
- Supports co-regulation and attachment security
- Encourages positive sensory and body awareness
- Promotes calmness and emotional attunement in both caregiver and infant
- Helps reduce stress and anxiety for caregivers
FirstPlay® Therapy complements other relationship-based interventions, offering a gentle and joyful way to build emotional connection from the very beginning of life.
The Heart of the Work
At Breathing Through, the focus is always on connection, attunement, and the shared relationship between caregiver and child. Through Infant Mental Health and FirstPlay® interventions, families learn to build secure, nurturing relationships that foster lifelong emotional resilience. Please click here, for more detailed information on FirstPlay®.
Breathing Through Counseling & Wellness Services
1604 Ford Ave., Suite 3
Modesto, CA 95350
Ph: (209) 423-9333
