Maternal depression has been consistently identified as a risk for poor outcomes for infants, although not all depressed mothers are unsuccessful in forming secure attachments with their babies. Babies' attachments to adults are relationship-specific. Developing screening processes that identify mothers with attachment problems is the first step in providing support or additional professional assistance if it is needed. Homevisiting provides a way to reach out to mothers who are isolated. Trained home visitors are in a position to observe difficulties mothers may be experiencing with their infants.
Parents develop expectations about their children, even before they are born.
This working model shapes how they perceive, interpret and experience their infants. For other parents, the expectations they have of the infant during the pregnancy do not change. Mothers and fathers need to discuss their feelings and expectations related to the new baby. Provide opportunities to explore their feelings and expectations about a new baby and to deal with aspects of their own thoughts and experiences that may inhibit their forming a positive attachment to the infant.