Child maltreatment during infancy: atypical parent-infant relationships

This paper examines the importance of the parent-infant relationship for later infant development, and the impact of 'atypical' or anomalous parent-infant interaction occurring during this period. A number of innovative and evidence-based methods of assessing and supporting parents, who are experiencing a range of problems that place them at high risk of poor parent-infant interaction during this period, are examined. The research strongly points to the need for prevention through assessment and intervention that begins in pregnancy and continues throughout the first postnatal year.