Infant Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 takes place from 8–14 June. This year’s Infant Mental Health Awareness Week focuses on the theme of attunement.
Attunement means tuning in and connecting with someone on an emotional level. It matters for everyone, but it is especially important for babies and their parents or carers.
When adults are emotionally attuned to babies and young children, they notice cues, recognise emotions and respond in a sensitive and appropriate way. These everyday responses help babies feel safe, loved and understood.
Babies communicate through facial expressions, sounds, movement, body language and changes in mood. When parents, carers and professionals notice and respond to these cues, they help babies to build trust and feel secure.
Attuned early relationships can support:
- emotional regulation
- healthy brain development
- parent-infant bonding
- confidence for parents and carers
- good infant mental health
Small moments can make a big difference. Everyday activities such as feeding, changing, cuddling, talking, singing and playing are all opportunities to connect with a baby.
Infant Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 will explore how professionals and practitioners working with babies use the concept of attunement, and what more can be done to support families.
The week is also a chance to raise awareness of infant mental health, which can often be overlooked or misunderstood. Good infant mental health means supporting babies’ emotional wellbeing from the very beginning of life.
Infant Mental Health Awareness Week provides an annual opportunity to discuss the importance of babies’ mental health and wellbeing.
The Parent-Infant Foundation has set the theme and co-ordinated Infant Mental Health Awareness Week since 2017. Since then, it has grown into a global event. Visit their website for more information: https://parentinfantfoundation.org.uk/our-work/imhaw