#53 Building Healthy Attachment from Birth: Infant Mental Health & Toddler Regulation

I am Dr. Shelly Mahon, your host, and in this episode of the Parenting Well Podcast, we’re talking about what truly shapes your child’s emotional health in the earliest years of life. I’m joined by Emily Fried, LCSW, a specialist in infant, early childhood, and perinatal mental health, to explore what’s really happening beneath toddler behavior — and how attachment, brain development, and parental wellbeing are deeply connected from the very beginning. We discuss how to create the right conditions for healthy development, how toddlers experience big emotions, the difference between prenatal depression and perinatal anxiety, and practical ways to support regulation in everyday moments. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “doing it right” in these early years, this conversation will both ground you and guide you. Register to participate in her workshop at the Stress & Anxiety Conference on Feb 28, 2026 In This Episode, We Discuss: What infant mental health actually is — and why it matters How early relationships shape the developing brain The link between developmental milestones and social-emotional growth The difference between prenatal depression and perinatal anxiety What secure attachment looks like in everyday parenting Why toddler behavior makes sense developmentally Concrete strategies to support co-regulation and emotional resilience Key Takeaways Infant mental health is relational. Emotional wellbeing in the early years is built through responsive, connected caregiving. Attachment grows in everyday moments. Security comes from consistent attunement — not perfection. Brain development and emotional development are intertwined. Early relational experiences shape stress response and regulation. Toddler behavior is communication. What looks like defiance is often dysregulation. Perinatal mental health impacts the whole system. Supporting parents is part of supporting children. Regulation starts with the adult. Young children borrow calm from their caregivers. Prevention matters. Early relational support lays the foundation for lifelong emotional health. Resources: Website Boulder Psychological Services Book: You Go Away by Dorothy Corey

You can listen to #53 Building Healthy Attachment from Birth: Infant Mental Health & Toddler Regulation online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

#53 Building Healthy Attachment from Birth: Infant Mental Health & Toddler Regulation is an episode from Parenting Well Podcast by Parent Engagement Network.

This episode is 35:15 long.

This episode was published on Feb 25, 2026.

Yes. Use the heart button on the episode page to add it to your favorite episodes list.

Yes. This page shows related episodes from Parenting Well Podcast when more episodes are available from the podcast feed.