Pregnancy and childbirth can lead to certain mental changes in women which in turn affect a child’s early developmental stage. Good parenting and family support are necessary for a child to have a great start in life. All children need caring parents or caregivers to thrive and an environment that is responsive to their emotions and supports their development.
Parents that are physically, emotionally, and mentally stressed are not able to create an environment that welcomes behaviours such as bonding through breastfeeding, singing, playing, feeding, and protection from abuse. These together with other attitudes are very important to the growth of a child.
Instances that lead to parental stress include adolescent pregnancy, unwanted pregnancy, difficult marriages, and lack of financial support. Mothers that are stressed are unable to breastfeed their babies properly because breast milk production is low. This can lead to malnutrition and affect the child’s expected height and weight. It has been shown that infants exposed to unloving care show signs of depression such as being withdrawn, irritable. Others develop sleeping, eating, and behavioural problems.
Maternal depression, characterised by crying spells, mood swings, anxiety, and poor care of the baby, is a risk factor for depression in infants. Early detection and treatment of maternal depression is beneficial to both mother and baby in preventing depression in infants.
SOURCE: Daily Graphic, Page 7.
DATE: 14/06/2023
