This Infant Mental Health Awareness Week (IMHAW), Tweddle will join the global movement to highlight our critical role as the Voice of the Child.
The 2024 IMHAW theme is ‘Speak up for Babies’. At Tweddle, speaking up for babies and promoting their mental health and well-being involves a multi-faceted approach encompassing advocacy, education, policy development, and direct support for parent and caregivers
Tweddle CEO Liz Murdoch said that Tweddle places a strong emphasis on being the voice of the child because it aligns with Tweddle’s commitment to infant development and welfare.
Tweddle clinicians work closely with families to help them decipher their baby or toddler’s distinct cues and non-verbal forms of communication. Observing an infant’s behaviour, expressions, body language, sounds and responses can provide critical insights.
Babies and toddlers naturally reach out for interaction through babbling, facial expressions and gestures. We encourage caregivers to respond with the same kind of vocalising and gesturing back in return.
One of the most essential experiences in shaping the architecture of the developing brain is the “serve and return” interaction between children and significant adults in their lives. This back-and-forth process is fundamental to the way the brain develops, especially in the earliest years.
By understanding these signals, we can help parents foster their child’s mental health, cognition and overall well-being, laying a strong foundation for later cognitive, health and well-being development.
“We know how mental health challenges appear in adults, but not many people know how they appear in a baby or toddler. But just because you can’t see them or decipher them, it doesn’t mean they aren’t there” said Executive Director of Clinical Services/Nursing Kirsty Evans.
“The baby might be frowning and looking scared, it might have a frightened parent, or the parent might be frightening. A baby can look stressed. Responses might include turning away, shrugging and trying to make itself smaller. A toddler might appear ambivalent or in hyper arousal mode, it might flinch to the touch, it might be exhausted, hungry or worried about arguing parents.
“What we know is that you have a very powerful window of opportunity to be the voice of the child, and to help the parents understand their challenges and empower them to change the future for their child by learning to connect.”
“Tweddle has been the voice of infants for three generations of Victorians – gaining 104 years of expertise of early life, parenting and brain development,” said Ms Evans.
The World Association for Infant Mental Health (WAIMH) released a position paper on the rights of infants. According to the paper, infants have unique nonverbal ways of expressing themselves and their capacity to feel, to form close and secure relationships, and to explore the environment and learn – all of which require appropriate nurturing as fundamental to building a lifetime of mental and physical health.
Ms Evans reflected on how babies and toddlers are particularly vulnerable. “When children feel heard and understood, it builds trust with caregivers and professionals. This trust is crucial for fostering a supportive and safe environment for each family’s program while at Tweddle.”
Tweddle Child Safe Standards Position Paper: Speaking as Loud as Actions
Recently, Tweddle’s team of specialist clinicians collaborated to produce a comprehensive position paper ‘Speaking as Loud as Actions’. The paper is a contribution to the discourse on Child Safe Standards, particularly focusing on Standard 3 – ” Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.’
The position paper delves into a specific often overlooked aspects: the voice of babies and toddlers who do not possess a physical voice in the traditional sense but communicate through nuanced cues and actions.
Ms Evans said that the way babies communicate tells us everything we need to know about their family and their environment including through their participation in family programs. Responding appropriately is vital for their wellbeing. It is important that we consider the infant’s welfare in all decision-making processes.
“When babies and toddlers are raised in an environment that provides them with a sense of calmness and protection, their brain development is supported, enabling them to optimise learning” she said.
“Conversely, growing up in stressful environments can result in the formation of neural pathways associated with survival, flight or fright responses, limiting opportunities for healthy brain development. By offering support to parents, we can effectively reduce stressful environments, allowing babies to thrive and setting the stage for positive outcomes in the future.”
If a baby could speak, what might they be saying?
“Hold me close and cuddle me. I need to feel your warmth and love.”
“When you smile at me, I feel happy and safe.”
“When I cry, it’s because I need you. Please comfort me and make me feel secure.”
“Your voice soothes me. Sing to me or talk to me softly.”
“I’m hungry. Feed me when I show you I’m ready to eat.”
“If I’m uncomfortable, check if I need a clean nappy.”
“I get tired and need sleep to grow. Help me settle down and create a quiet place for me to rest.”
“I need a consistent routine to help me feel safe and understand what to expect.”
“Play with me and show me new things. It helps me learn and grow.”
“I love looking at your face and hearing different sounds. It helps me understand the world.”
“Keep me safe from harm. Watch over me and create a safe environment.”
“Be patient with me. I’m learning and growing every day, and sometimes it’s hard for me too.”
“Understand that I have feelings too. Even though I can’t talk, I feel everything deeply.”
“Give me your full attention when you can. Your presence means the world to me.”
“Let’s have special moments together without distractions. It makes me feel loved and important.”
“Encourage me when I try new things. Your support helps me build confidence.”
“Celebrate my small achievements. It motivates me to keep exploring and learning.”
“I feel safer when we have a routine. Knowing what comes next helps me feel secure.”
“I feel worried when I hear loud voices. I need you to calm me to show me everything is ok and we are safe.”
By imagining what a baby might say, parents can better understand and respond to their baby’s needs, fostering a nurturing and supportive environment that promotes healthy development.
Contact Tweddle if you would like more information about our services and programs on(03) 9689 1577.
During Infant Mental Health Awareness Week, we highlight the opportunity to support the important work of Tweddle. A tax-deductible donation to the Tweddle Foundation will help us to support families with babies and toddlers to thrive and change the trajectory of their lives.
The Tweddle Foundation – Tweddle
You can view Tweddle ‘Speaking as Loud as Actions’ Child Safe Standards Position Paper here.
Our Publications – Tweddle
