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Infant Mental Health Awareness Week (IMHAW), running from 10th to 16th June 2024, focuses on the theme ‘Speak up for Babies’. This week underscores the critical importance of nurturing babies’ mental health and well-being, particularly in an age where smartphones are ever-present in family life.

Anne-Marie Casey, Senior Clinical Psychologist at Children’s Health Ireland (CHI), highlights the paradox of our digital age: “We have the flexibility to handle shopping, banking, and various tasks from home, but this convenience can negatively affect our infants’ emotional and behavioural development.” Emerging research points to how high smartphone use can disrupt parent-infant interactions, potentially impairing attachment, social and emotional development, and language learning.

Babies rely on eye contact, verbal communication, and reciprocal play to learn emotional regulation and understand their world. These early interactions are crucial for building the emotional and psychological foundations that shape their lives. When parents are distracted by their phones, the quality of these interactions diminishes, mirroring the ‘still face’ experiment by Dr Edward Tronick, which demonstrates the impact of a lack of parental responsiveness on infants.

With the average person interacting with their phone 50-80 times a day, Dr Claire Crowe, Paediatric Clinical Psychologist, advises parents to re-evaluate their phone habits: “Recognising the detrimental effects of smartphone use on our children’s development is the first step towards change. Let’s begin by being kind to ourselves and acknowledging that we all need to address our phone usage.”

Here are some practical tips for reducing smartphone interference with parenting:

1. Understand Your Habits: Reflect on when and why you use your phone. Consider replacing screen time with other activities, like taking a walk or engaging in a hobby that reduces stress.
2. Establish Phone-Free Zones: Set specific times, like during meals or after bedtime, where phones are put away.
3. Limit Temptation: Use a zip lock bag to store your phone, making it less tempting to reach for it. Alternatively, designate a “phone box” that stays closed until after the children are asleep.
4. Find Alternatives: Keep your hands busy to avoid the automatic urge to check your phone. Engage in activities with your child, such as pushing them on the swings, or simply hold a cup of coffee to stay occupied.
5. Celebrate Progress: Changing habits is challenging. Celebrate small victories, such as reducing screen time, and share your achievements with others.
6. Stay Visually Engaged: When using your phone, use speaker mode to maintain eye contact with your child. Listening to podcasts or messages instead of scrolling can help maintain visual connection during tasks like night feeds.
7. Create a Phone Patrol: Have a friend or family member remind you when you’re on your phone too much. Let your kids join in the fun, turning it into a game where they catch you on your phone and remind you to stay present.

As IMHAW encourages parents to prioritise their babies’ needs, these steps can help foster stronger connections and support the emotional and developmental well-being of children.