Infant Mental Health Awareness Week  9th - 15th of June 2025 - Who is holding the baby?

Because babies are people too...

At My Little Everything, we often speak of love and care, for our little ones, our early years, and the precious moments in between. But this week, on Infant Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re shining a necessary light on the mental and emotional wellbeing of babies, because their littleness isn’t a limitation, it’s their life. I found out about this special week just last night, whilst researching into how I can share ICON's acronym!

 Why Infant Mental Health Matters

From birth, a child’s brain is developing faster than at any other time in life. These first 1,001 days are foundational, laying the groundwork for lifelong emotional health, connection, and resilience. My Little Everything calls these early 2 years the 'Glowet Years' a precious window of time when babies take their biggest mental leaps and grow in the most remarkable ways. It’s when their brains are lighting up with every new sound, sight, and cuddle. From bonding and building trust to learning how the world works, this stage lays the foundation for everything that follows. That’s why we treat it with the love, care, and the glow it deserves. A baby may not speak, but every cry is a message, whether for hunger, comfort, fatigue, or something deeper. And sometimes, even when everything is done “right,” the crying won’t stop.

ICON: Born to Save Lives

That’s where ICON – "Babies cry, you can cope" comes in. Developed in the UK by Dr Suzanne Smith, PhD, ICON began thanks to her Winston Churchill Fellowship, which saw her travel to Canada and the U.S. to study existing campaigns on preventing Abusive Head Trauma (shaken baby syndrome). After returning as a nurse, health visitor, and child protection expert, she created the first coordinated UK programme aimed at helping parents cope and preventing AHT .

Today, ICON is active in 36 UK regions, supports NHS maternity units (especially during COVID-19), and has even been integrated into NHS England’s nationwide communications . The four-point toolkit is simple but powerful:

• I – Infant crying is normal and it will stop

• C – Comforting methods can help soothe

• O – It’s OK to walk away if it’s getting too much (after checking baby’s safety)

• N – Never, ever shake a baby—it can cause lasting brain damage or death (humberandnorthyorkshirematernity.org.uk)

Dr Smith emphasises, “ICON would probably not have come into being without the Fellowship” and that’s proof it was born from genuine expertise and heartfelt commitment .

I want to take a moment to honour the incredible woman who first introduced me to ICON, the wise and deeply compassionate Sam Attwater. With over 30 years of experience in early years and safeguarding, her insight and dedication have left a lasting impression on me. I had the privilege of being taught and mentored by her, and it was through her powerful teaching that I first learned about the importance of ICON and the realities many infants face. Her passion for protecting the most vulnerable and educating with empathy will continue to inspire the work we do at My Little Everything. Thank you, Sam, your voice and legacy matter more than words can say.

 “You can never love a baby too much”

There’s no such thing as over-loving an infant. That’s not smothering, it’s bonding. It’s the foundation of healthy attachment, emotional safety, and long-term wellbeing.

The Parent-Infant Foundation in the UK champions this vital bond, ensuring every family has access to support, training, and services that help nurture it. Their core belief?

“All babies need to be emotionally held – to feel safe, secure and loved.”

Why This Matters Now

Imagine being tiny, powerless, voiceless but needing everything. Now imagine being surrounded not by loving care, but by chaos, neglect, or worse. This is life for too many babies around the world, some even literally shaken by the sound of bombs. This is the urgent, heartbreaking context in which ICON and the Parent-Infant Foundation act.

🕊️ Our Call to Action

Let’s share this post loud and clear, not to shame or blame, but to support and empower. To remind parents and caregivers it’s okay to reach out. To say:

• Your baby’s cries matter

• Taking a breath doesn’t make you a bad parent—it keeps you safe

• You can never love them too much

• Asking for help is stronger than silence ever is

With love, with courage, and with compassion, because babies are people too.

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Learn more & get support:
ICON – Babies Cry, You Can Cope: iconcope.org
Parent-Infant Foundation: parentinfantfoundation.org.uk

With love, My Little Everything Ltd

PS... If you are interested you can attend this week the Infant Mental Health Week, 'Who is holding the baby?' at https://parentinfantfoundation.org.uk/our-work/imhaw/#:~:text=The%20Parent%2DInfant%20Foundation%20has%20set%20the%20theme%20and%20coordinated,grown%20into%20a%20global%20event.