Masterclass: Unsettled Infant & Parent Mental Health
Masterclass: Unsettled Infant & Parent Mental Health
- Start Date
- 28 June 2026
- End Date
- 28 June 2026
- Start Time
- 9:00am
- End Time
- 5:00pm
- Venue
- Zoom
- Contact Name
- ASPM Education
- Contact Phone
- (08) 7557 9556
- Contact Email
- education@aspm.org.au
- Who Can Register?
- Anyone
Dr Pamela Douglas will help you develop responsive care for optimal developmental outcomes
Up to 38% of parents report infant sleep problems in the first months of life. Sleep training (or first-wave behavioural approaches) is commonly recommended, but studies show it does not reduce night-waking and can worsen parental anxiety. The latest research in neuroscience and attachment psychology highlights the importance of responsive care for optimal developmental outcomes.
About 20% of families report infant crying problems in the first few months, yet most health professionals feel undertrained to manage these cases. Parents of crying babies face increased risk of postnatal depression and often receive conflicting advice, which increases anxiety. Cry-fuss problems are linked to higher risk of child abuse, premature breastfeeding cessation, and later behavioural and developmental challenges.
Importantly, both infant regulatory problems and breastfeeding difficulties have bidirectional relationships with postnatal anxiety and depression, making them key modifiable risk factors for maternal mood and child development outcomes.
This course helps you:
- Apply The Possums Baby and Toddler Sleep Intervention, an internationally recognised method for supporting parents without leaving babies to cry
- Apply the 5-domain NDC approach to managing cry-fuss problems
- Apply focused strategies from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Self-Compassion Therapy, adapted for brief perinatal consultations
- Avoid unnecessary diagnoses and treatments
- Understand the underlying research
Members: $230
Non-Members: $350
Students/Registrars: $125