In de wieg gelegd om te reguleren: Over de gevolgen van trauma voor de ouder-kindrelatie, en daarmee voor de affectieve binnenwereld van een baby

This article addresses the influence of trauma on the infant-parent relationship and its impact on the affective inner world of the infant. The case presented gives insight into how the death of a mother (and spouse) affects both the father and his baby daughter and puts their relationship under pressure. The focus of Infant Mental Health is a relational approach, which means that infants can be best understood, assessed and treated in the context of their primary caregiving relationship. Behavioral indicators of infant mental health include affect regulation, the ability to communicate feelings to caregivers, and active exploration of the environment. These indicators are discussed in this case-study. Defense mechanisms as a second skin and the experience of loss of the breast come to the fore. The writings of Esther Bick offer a framework for understanding the non-verbal communication of this girl and her father and searching for meaning in that which is almost incomprehensible.

Key words: affect regulation, Bick, Infant Mental Health, second skin, parental loss, parent-child relationship