Here are some infant mental health books that we have found very valuable, and can recommend to you.
The field of IMH is rapidly developing: there are new publications all the time. If you find a publication which should be on our list, please let us know by posting on the Books & Articles forum.
Starter books
If you are starting your IMH journey, you might find these books helpful as both an introduction and overview.
This content is for logged-in members of AiMH UK. If your work is concerned with babies and infants from conception to age three, or with their parents and carers, then join AiMH UK.
Parenting support
There are many parenting books, not all of them reflecting IMH research and understanding. Here are a few recommended by members of AiMH.
This content is for logged-in members of AiMH UK. If your work is concerned with babies and infants from conception to age three, or with their parents and carers, then join AiMH UK.
Therapeutic interventions
As Daniel Stern wrote, there are many different 'ports of entry' when offering help where the attachment relationship is under stress. These books provide an overview into a wide range of evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence.
This content is for logged-in members of AiMH UK. If your work is concerned with babies and infants from conception to age three, or with their parents and carers, then join AiMH UK.
Infant Mental Health research
These books may be of interest both to those working in the field of IMH, and for those who are setting up a new service.
This content is for logged-in members of AiMH UK. If your work is concerned with babies and infants from conception to age three, or with their parents and carers, then join AiMH UK.
Infant development
Here is a selection of books looking at development in the early years. There are many others available. New research is regularly published.
This content is for logged-in members of AiMH UK. If your work is concerned with babies and infants from conception to age three, or with their parents and carers, then join AiMH UK.
Infant brain development
The developing baby's brain is being continually shaped by relationships. This initial phase of maximum 'neuroplasticity' is significant for all IMH work, although it is important to remember that neuroplasticity merely fades, it never disappears, and there is a second phase of enhanced neuroplasticity during adolescence. These books provide an introduction to neurodevelopment research and neuroplasticity that might be of interest to clinicians.
This content is for logged-in members of AiMH UK. If your work is concerned with babies and infants from conception to age three, or with their parents and carers, then join AiMH UK.
Attachment theory
Here is a selection of books that examine and explain attachment theory. They show how this has progressed and been applied since it was originally developed by John Bowlby. Many other titles and articles are available.
This content is for logged-in members of AiMH UK. If your work is concerned with babies and infants from conception to age three, or with their parents and carers, then join AiMH UK.