Infancy and Early Relationships

PIRI’s longstanding research interest in infancy spans early findings demonstrating the protective role of the mother–infant relationship, including its neurophysiological foundations, through to the development of contemporary parent–infant interventions.

Professor Jeannette Milgrom established the Parent-Infant Research Institute in 2001 with a specific focus on infancy research and early intervention.

PIRI has designed and evaluated multiple interventions through high-quality RCTs targeting both maternal mental health and infant outcomes, including stress-reduction approaches for preterm infants. PIRI researchers were among the first to show that even when postnatal depression is effectively treated, associated stress within the parent–infant relationship may persist and continue to influence infant development. One influential study demonstrated links between early interaction difficulties and later cognitive outcomes.