Infant mental health took centre stage in the south east as the Health Service Executive (HSE) marked Infant Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 with events in Kilkenny and New Ross. The initiative highlighted how early connection, responsive caregiving and skin-to-skin contact can shape a baby’s emotional wellbeing and development from the very beginning.
At St. Luke’s General Hospital Carlow/Kilkenny, the focus was on attunement, a key concept in infant mental health that encourages expectant and new parents to notice, understand and respond to their baby’s needs. The HSE maternity service used the week to reinforce the value of early bonding, including skin-to-skin contact, which is widely recognised across Health services as beneficial for both babies and parents.
Infant mental health in focus at St. Luke’s
At St. Luke’s Maternity Service, staff highlighted attunement through practical examples and family-centred care. One moving example came from the Neonatal Unit, where preterm baby Danny received “Kangaroo Parent Care” while resting skin-to-skin with his mother, Paula. This approach supports closeness, bonding and regulation for vulnerable newborns.
The hospital also used the week to support staff learning. Education sessions in the Neonatal Unit explored how healthcare teams can better facilitate attunement for babies and families. The multidisciplinary maternity and neonatal teams were encouraged to discuss infant mental health in a shared setting, helping to deepen awareness across services.
- Staff education sessions were held in the Neonatal Unit
- Discussion was promoted across maternity and neonatal teams
- New babies received small gifts to mark the week
- Families were encouraged to value early connection and skin-to-skin care
The work also linked with MUMA, or Minding YoU and Me Always, a community-based postnatal support service for mothers and partners. MUMA provides support for up to six weeks after birth, and up to six months for pelvic health, through a team including midwives and a clinical specialist physiotherapist. This kind of joined-up support reflects the wider direction of gov.ie public health messaging around early intervention and family wellbeing.
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New Ross event explains why attunement matters
In New Ross Library, parents attended an information session on attunement during Infant Mental Health Awareness Week. Organisers spoke about children’s brain development and explained how responsive caregiving can support secure attachment and healthy emotional growth in the early years.
In simple terms, attunement means a caregiver notices and responds to a child’s signals, including changes in behaviour, mood or comfort. Experts note that perfect attunement is unrealistic, but consistent, caring responses can make a major difference to development.
How parents can build attunement
The HSE message during the week focused on small, practical steps families can use every day:
- Active listening: giving babies full attention and watching for subtle nonverbal cues.
- Empathy: recognising and validating a child’s needs when they are expressed.
- Open communication: helping children learn emotional regulation by modelling calm and responsive behaviour.
This message aligns with broader national priorities across Health and Social Protection, where early supports are increasingly seen as essential to long-term wellbeing. It also reflects the role of community settings, from hospitals to libraries, in sharing accessible guidance with families.
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Why infant mental health deserves attention
Infant mental health is not only about babies in crisis; it is about nurturing secure relationships from day one. The HSE events in Kilkenny and New Ross showed how simple interactions, such as eye contact, touch, listening and responsive care, can strengthen attachment and support healthy development.
As Infant Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 demonstrated, infant mental health is a shared responsibility involving families, maternity teams and community services. The clear takeaway is that attunement matters, and even small moments of connection can have a lasting impact on a child’s start in life.
FAQs
What is infant mental health?
Infant mental health refers to a baby’s emotional wellbeing, early relationships and capacity to feel safe, connected and supported.
What is attunement?
Attunement is a caregiver’s ability to notice, understand and respond to a baby or child’s needs and signals.
Why is skin-to-skin contact important?
Skin-to-skin contact can support bonding, comfort, temperature regulation and emotional connection, especially for newborn and preterm babies.
What is MUMA?
MUMA stands for Minding YoU and Me Always, a postnatal support service linked to St. Luke’s that assists mothers and partners after birth.
Article/Image Courtesy: HSE
