We support the important relationships that babies, toddlers, and young children have with the people who care for them, so they can have the best possible start in life. We help families and the people who work with them from ‘conception to reception’ through pregnancy and the early years, until children start school at age five.
Note: The information on these web pages aims to support a variety of children who are growing and learning, however, we appreciate every child is unique. If you’re looking for advice or resources which are specific to your child’s needs, please let us know and we’ll do our best to help you find the right information.
What is infant mental health?
The words infant mental health can sound confusing. Infant mental health refers to how babies and children feel and how they learn to manage their feelings.
When babies and children are comforted and cared for, they feel safe to explore their world, to play and to learn. When parents understand and respond to their child’s signals, they start to learn how to manage their feelings and build strong relationships. Babies and children who have safe and loving relationships are more able to enjoy the world around them. It helps them grow up happy and healthy!
Who is the infant mental health service for?
Families during pregnancy, through to the child’s early life and up to the age of five.
Families who are registered with a GP in Leeds
Have a look at our infant mental health service (IMHS) film to find out more and to hear from some of the families we have worked with.
Who are the infant mental health service?
We are a small team who work across the city of Leeds.
We are all health professionals who have experience and training in helping parents, and carers to support their babies and toddlers with their feelings and relationship.
Note: Please be aware that we are a referral only service. You can ask a health professional (such as, midwife, 0 to 19 specialist public health nurse or GP) to refer you.
Family feedback
What families have said about our service
“I’ll never be able to thank you enough for getting me through this pregnancy safely and helping me give Austin* all the love I have for him without anything clouding it anymore”.
“I was in a deep hole with no escape. I felt tormented by my own child and my mind. It’s hard to communicate this to your family because you feel judged, so I bottled my problems up”.
“The first few sessions I wasn’t sure but then the proper sessions began to help. It helped when (infant mental health practitioner) sat on the floor because I wasn’t looked down on and it helped me to do that too. We looked at what my baby’s cues and what he was telling me, and I understand him much better now. I know his cues better than other people do. My mood and his mood have improved; it’s had a knock-on effect on my mental health and other areas of my life. I said before I started this that my baby was more angry than happy but now, he is more happy”.
“It’s nice to have someone to speak to, it’s not like counselling but you open up to someone about how you feel, and they are talking with you and your child.”
“It has really helped to have visual aids that I can hold in mind in everyday life when I face challenging situations with my toddler.”
