Infant Trauma

Trauma can result from physical, mental or emotional pain combined with shock and the inability to get away from the cause.

When the flight and fight response is triggered, the baby is neither able to fight or flee, and the response is to freeze or collapse. The baby’s body is charged with stress hormones, the autonomic nervous system is activated and the baby has at some level dissociated. The developing baby can be affected even in the first months after conception. Many common symptoms arise when the baby has not been able to release shock and return to an uncharged resting state.

• prolonged, intense screaming
• repeated nocturnal awakening
• feeding and digestive problems including colic
• sensitivity to touch around the head and neck (lack of descent or dilation)
• feet and torso sensitivity (forceful handling, painful examinations tests etc.)
• exaggerated startle responses (sudden medical interventions)
• breathing irregularities and respiratory problems
• tactile defensiveness
• lack of eye contact
• lack of responsiveness

• intensive anger
• feeling stuck, trapped
• fearfulness, nightmares, panic
• abusive and aggressive behaviour to others or to self. eg. pulling hair, pinching, head banging
• destructive behaviour. eg. tearing books, throwing things

• physical health and emotional wellbeing
• the ability to cope with challenges and change
• the capacity to love ourselves and others and to form healthy relationships
• the ability to reach our full creative potential