Early Infant Regulatory Problems
Wolke and his colleagues investigate whether and how early regulatory problems in infancy may have adverse long term consequences on mental health. Being able to self-regulate is a critical skill that infants develop, which allows them to self-soothe in response to changes in sensory stimuli and regulate sleep states. Difficulties in self-regulation such as excessive crying, sleeping disturbances and feeding difficulties are often labelled as infant regulatory problems and are among the most common problems reported by parents. Wolke has shown that early regulatory problems are associated with a trajectory of dysregulation across childhood and increased behaviour problems. Three factors may potentially account for individual differences in early regulation including perinatal and neurodevelopmental factors, early parenting or genetic variations. Wolke and colleagues have shown that infant regulatory problems are predicted by neurodevelopmental problems and that these interact with early parenting behaviour. Early interventions may reduce early regulatory problems.
at the Philips Avent Scientific Symposium 2018 Perspectives on feeding and sleep; from pregnancy to playground
Download slides
