Mother-Infant Relationship | Gut-Brain Axis By Professor Anne Buist
Key Points
- Antenatal depression and anxiety may influence infant outcomes, particularly when difficulties continue into the postnatal period.
- Emerging research is examining associations between maternal mental health and biological factors including microbiota, oxytocin and epigenetic processes, although these mechanisms are not yet fully understood.
- Treating maternal depression or anxiety alone may not address difficulties in the mother–infant relationship, making attachment an important additional clinical consideration.
- Depression and anxiety can affect a parent’s capacity to mirror, enjoy and respond to their baby, while another caregiver may help provide this emotional connection when the mother is struggling.
- The first year provides an important opportunity to work with parents on recognising infant cues, soothing distress and strengthening attachment, including in families where relationship difficulties may not initially be obvious.
Professor Anne Buist explores the mother–infant relationship in perinatal mental health, including the impact of antenatal and postnatal depression and anxiety on attachment. She discusses emerging research into the gut–brain axis, microbiota, oxytocin and epigenetics, while acknowledging that much remains to be understood about these biological pathways.
Drawing on clinical examples, Professor Buist highlights why treating maternal depression alone may not resolve difficulties in the mother–infant relationship. She discusses recognising infant cues, emotional regulation and the importance of helping parents respond to their baby’s needs, emphasising the early postnatal period as an important opportunity to support attachment and development.
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Prof Anne Buist is the Chair of Women’s Mental Health at the University of Melbourne. Anne has more than 30 years of clinical and research experience in perinatal psychiatry and works with the legal system in cases of abuse, kidnapping, infanticide, and murder. Her work has had direct implications for clinical care as well as assisting in advising government and health services to ensure good outcomes.
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