Part 3: Parent-Child Support with Infants: Nurturing Connection from the Very Beginning

A Series on Understanding Early Childhood Therapy

Part 3

Parent-Child Support with Infants: Nurturing Connection from the Very Beginning

“There is no such thing as a baby, there is a baby and someone.”

— Donald Winnicott

The first year of life is full of wonder—and questions. As a parent, you’re learning how to respond to your baby’s cues, manage sleep (or the lack of it), and navigate a flood of new emotions. During this tender time, both you and your baby are growing together—and that growth is supported by connection. That’s why early, supportive services can be so meaningful.

In this blog I am going to talk about both mental health therapy supports and general supportive services during the first year of life. This kind of support isn’t about teaching your baby flashcards or speeding up development. It’s about creating a safe, responsive relationship that helps your baby feel secure (the foundation for learning and growing)—and helping you feel more confident, connected, and supported in your parenting journey (so you can thrive too).

Why Does Support in the First Year Matter?

Infants are constantly learning: how the world works, who they can trust, and how to manage stress. These lessons don’t come through our words—they come through touch, eye contact, tone of voice, nurturing, and the everyday rhythms of caregiving.

Babies don’t need us to be perfect. They just need us to show up with care and intention each day. Being present sounds simple—but it can be incredibly hard in the early months. Sleep deprivation, recovery from birth, feeding challenges, and constant caregiving all take a toll. On top of that, 1 of every 5 parents experience a perinatal mood disorder (such as postpartum depression or anxiety), which makes it even harder to be present for yourself and your baby in a way that feels good for you.

When parents feel supported—emotionally and practically—it’s easier to tune in to a baby’s needs and respond in ways that nurture you both. This kind of support lays the foundation for healthy emotional connection and secure attachment.

This means parents feel their best and babies get their foundational needs met when it matters most.

What Can Support In The 1st Year Look Like?

This kind of support can take many forms:

• Parent-Child Therapy: A relationship based therapy aimed to support caregivers in understanding and responding to their child’s emotional needs while exploring how their own experiences may influence parenting.

• Home Visiting Programs: A therapist or trained professional supports the parent's mental health, offers emotional support and developmental guidance in the home.

• Group Support: Parenting groups for new moms and dads provide connection, reduce isolation, and offer shared wisdom or “mommy and me” groups.

• Individual Therapy for parents (sometimes with your baby) to provide a safe space just for you as you navigate the transition into parenthood or heal from postpartum depression or anxiety.

• Developmental Guidance: Supportive check-ins with early childhood specialists can help parents better understand age appropriate milestones and behaviors.

• Lactation Support: Helps parents navigate breastfeeding or chestfeeding challenges—like latching, milk supply, or pain—while promoting bonding and confidence in feeding your baby.

Common Therapy Services For Parents & Their Babies:

• Infant-Parent Psychotherapy (IPP)

• Promoting First Relationships (PFR)

• Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)

• Parent Child Interaction Therapy Infants (PCIT-Infant)

• Circle of Security- Parenting (COS-P)

• Wait, Watch and Wonder (WWW)

At Nyo Therapy, I offer specialized support for caregivers and their babies.

Services include:

• In-Home Parent-Child Therapy: Supporting bonding, soothing, transitions, and emotional well-being.

• Baby Cues – A Child’s First Language: A tool used to help parents learn to read and respond to their baby’s signals with confidence and sensitivity.

• Promoting First Relationships (PFR): Builds caregiver confidence and emotional attunement through supportive coaching during everyday interactions with their infant or toddler.

Common Reasons Parents Seek Parent-Child Therapy With Their Baby:

• Difficulty feeling connected to or understanding your baby

• Feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about parenting

• Your infant shows signs of withdrawal, lack of eye contact, or limited emotional responsiveness

• There is a mismatch in temperament that makes daily interactions stressful

• Your baby has delays in emotional, social, or language development

• Difficulty soothing, feeding or sleeping

• Loss of a caregiver, recent adoption or foster placement

• Navigating postpartum depression or anxiety

It's Okay to Ask for Support

There’s a lot of pressure on parents to “just know” what to do—but in reality parenting is learned as you go.

You are not alone in this—and reaching out is one of the most loving things you can do for yourself and your baby. Seeking support in those early months isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign that you care deeply about your child and your relationship with them. And it can make those early days and nights just a little bit gentler and full of love—for both of you.

If you think you may benefit from any of the supports mentioned, please reach out to your OBGYN, doctor or a mental health professional in your area.