New infant mental health framework launched to support babies’ first 1,000 days

The first 1,000 days of a baby’s life can shape their future health, education and wellbeing — and experts say getting support right during that window is critical.

Leaders from across Northern Ireland’s health, education and community sectors gathered to launch a refreshed Infant Mental Health Framework and Action Plan designed to strengthen support for families from pregnancy through to a child’s third birthday.

The updated framework, announced by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and led by the Public Health Agency (PHA), aims to improve early interventions and ensure more coordinated support for families during the earliest stages of a child’s development.

Representatives from statutory, voluntary and community organisations attended the conference launch on 5 March, where speakers outlined the growing body of evidence showing how early relationships and experiences influence lifelong outcomes.

Delegates also heard a powerful lived-experience perspective from a young mother supported through the MAS (Maternal Advocacy and Support) Young Mums project, highlighting the real-world importance of accessible support during pregnancy and early parenthood.

(L-R) Claire Phillips, Early Years Programme Manager for NI, NCB, Maurice Meehan, Strategic Lead for Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement at the PHA, Emily Roberts, Interim Director of Nursing at the PHA, Caitlin McCloskey, MAS Young Mum’s Project, WRDA Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, Dr Claire Dorris, Assistant Director of the NCB, Grainne McHugh, Vice-Chair of the Stronger from the Start Alliance and Dr Maddalena Miele, Imperial College Hospital, NHS.

Emily Roberts, Interim Director of Nursing at the PHA, said infant mental health begins well before a child’s first steps.

“Infant Mental Health refers to the social and emotional development of babies from pregnancy through the first three years of life. Research consistently shows that early experiences – particularly the quality of attachment and caregiving relationships – strongly influence future mental health, physical health, educational attainment, and social functioning.

“While adversity and stress during pregnancy and early childhood can have lasting effects, evidence also shows that early intervention can significantly reduce risk and improve outcomes. Providing support at the earliest stages helps build emotional security, resilience, and healthy development.

“Since the introduction of Northern Ireland’s first Infant Mental Health Framework in 2016, awareness and understanding of infant development have grown significantly across sectors. This progress has been supported by the expansion of services, strengthened workforce development, and the emergence of innovative practice across health, social care, education, and community settings.

“The refreshed 2026 framework builds on this progress, placing renewed emphasis on cross-sector collaboration and highlighting how infant mental health connects with wider public health priorities, including reducing inequalities, embedding trauma-informed practice, and preventing long-term health difficulties. It also reflects growing recognition of how early relationships and parental wellbeing – particularly during the perinatal period – shape lifelong health, development, and resilience.

“The Public Health Agency remains committed to working collaboratively across government departments and sectors to ensure families receive the right support at the right time.”

The action plan sets out how services across health, education and the community sector will work more closely together to deliver consistent support for families — particularly during pregnancy and a baby’s first three years.

The launch comes against a challenging social backdrop. In 2024, 19,416 babies were born in Northern Ireland, while many families continue to face financial pressures. Around 23% of children live in relative poverty and 20% in absolute poverty before housing costs — factors that experts say can significantly affect parental wellbeing and early childhood development.

Opening the event, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt emphasised the importance of early intervention.

“Evidence suggests the experiences in the first 1,000 days of a baby’s life are crucial to later outcomes. During this period, the baby’s brain is developing more rapidly than at any other period in life and is particularly sensitive to outside influences.

“Therefore, through improving infant mental health and strengthening infants’ attachments and relationships with their care givers, children are more likely to be on a positive developmental trajectory.

“The Infant Mental Health Framework highlights the importance of collaborative cross-departmental, cross-sectoral, inter-agency and multi-disciplinary working to give babies the best start in life.”

Frances Lyons, Head of Research and Evidence and Director in Northern Ireland at the National Children’s Bureau (NCB), said the framework places renewed focus on early intervention and targeted support.

“NCB is delighted to have supported the Public Health Agency in hosting another successful conference that saw the launch of the refreshed Infant Mental Health Framework and Action Plan (2026) – Starting Well – from pre-birth to three years.

“The event highlighted the importance of cross-cutting investment and support of early intervention and collaborative working in improving infant mental health and lifelong outcomes. Our mission at NCB is to build better childhoods and brighter futures for every child and a focus on the first 1,000 days is critical.

“There remains a great need for targeted support for those families with babies and young children facing multiple complex challenges, such as poverty, poor mental health, or experience of ongoing trauma, and the impact that the combination of these can have on the wellbeing of a newborn infant and its parents. By providing support at all stages from pre-birth through to three years, services are giving infants the best opportunity to start well and meet their potential.

“It is vital in this challenging economic climate that the needs of babies, infants and their families are supported as the foundations of a thriving society. We look forward to continuing our work with stakeholders across the sector in Northern Ireland and beyond in creating services for starting well in life.”

Organisers say the refreshed framework builds on progress made since the original strategy was introduced in 2016, with greater awareness across services of the importance of early attachment, parental wellbeing and trauma-informed approaches to care.

The renewed strategy now seeks to ensure that support reaches families earlier and more consistently — recognising that the foundations of lifelong health and resilience are often laid long before a child reaches school age.

To view the Infant Mental Health Framework for Northern Ireland see www.pha.site/IMHFramework

At a glance

• Northern Ireland has launched a refreshed Infant Mental Health Framework and Action Plan focusing on support from pregnancy to age three.

• The plan was announced by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and launched at a conference attended by leaders from health, education and community sectors.

• Experts say the first 1,000 days of life are critical for brain development and long-term health, learning and wellbeing.

• The strategy aims to improve coordination across services so families can access support earlier and more consistently.

• In 2024, 19,416 babies were born in Northern Ireland, while around 23% of children live in relative poverty.

• Speakers highlighted the importance of early relationships, parental wellbeing and trauma-informed care in shaping infant development.

• Organisations involved say targeted support for families facing complex challenges will be key to improving outcomes for young children.