In a policy paper, Mental Health in Infancy, the charity argues that the mental health of under-twos is being overlooked, resulting in problems that could have been prevented.
Dinah Morley, acting director of YoungMinds, said: "The first few weeks and months are critical in the development of the child and the child's mental health, and people are generally unaware of that.
"We know that attachment problems can produce a whole range of antisocial behaviours and a whole range of mental health problems."
Mental health problems in babies may become more entrenched through childhood and the teenage years, when they can result in educational problems, crime, teenage pregnancy and substance abuse.
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