Self-regulation is often discussed as an early skill babies should develop quickly. In reality, regulation is something infants borrow from their caregivers long before they can generate it themselves. This webinar explores the science of co-regulation and explains why responsive caregiving is not a preference or parenting style, but a biological necessity.
This topic matters now because many families are still receiving guidance that encourages emotional independence before neurological readiness. When co-regulation is misunderstood or minimised, infant distress can escalate and parental confidence is often undermined.
The session will explore infant nervous system development, stress physiology, sensory processing, and attachment, showing how regulation develops gradually through repeated co-regulatory experiences. The approach is evidence-led, practical, and grounded in developmental science, without behavioural simplifications.
This webinar is suited to infant and early-years practitioners, health professionals, student practitioners, and anyone supporting babies and caregivers who wants to understand what regulation truly requires, and what it cannot be rushed.
Key takeaways
- What co-regulation is and how it supports neurological development
- Why infants cannot self-regulate independently
- How caregiver responses shape stress regulation over time
- The impact of stress and mismatch on infant behaviour and sleep
- How this knowledge changes day-to-day professional support
