With the Baby in Mind: A Range of Interventions with Infants and Their Parents

Context: Early experience with caregivers has a major impact on the developing person. Increasing evidence that early intervention at this time reduces risks to optimal development. Interventions can be population based or targeted at high risk groups.

Objectives: This workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to develop knowledge of a range of approaches to intervention with infants, young children and families. Preliminary research and evaluation data will be presented. It is aimed at health professionals working with infants, young children and their families in a range of contexts

Key messages: Dr Sarah Mares The rationale for and range of interventions in infancy and early childhood, including infant-parent psychotherapy, and available research evidence.

Dr Bijou Blick, Ms Beulah Warren The development and evaluation of the Getting to Know You and Hello Dad films and the Expanded version and training package for professionals. Developed initially for use as a population based intervention but can also be used with high risk families. Initial results from the NSWIOP evaluation study will be presented.

Ms Beulah Warren Clinical material will be presented to illustrate the range of presentations and interventions in a private parent – infant practice. Parent-infant interventions can take various forms, with an emphasis on the internal representations of mother and baby, observed behaviour and interactions, or a combination of both.

Dr Louise Newman Interventions with a high risk group, parents with Borderline Personality Disorder and their infants. Clinical issues and study results will be presented.