When two Ohio parents divorce, they usually have a great deal of concern about helping their children handle the split and adjust to their new family situation, and rightly so. A divorce is a big adjustment for children, and it can be a life-altering event if not handled properly. But what happens to infants when their parents divorce?

According to Armin Brott, the author of several books on fatherhood, babies may not understand the events that are happening around them, but they can definitely pick up on the emotions. To say it a different way, infants may not be affected by the actual divorce, but they are very easily affected by the behavior that often goes along with a split.

For example, if there is a lot of shouting and arguing in the marriage, a baby will be more fussy and prone to crying. In these situations, a divorce may actually be good for an infant but decreasing the amount of hostility and tension in the home.

After separation, a baby will continue to pick up on his or her parents' emotions. If you are depressed, for example, your baby may start exhibiting symptoms of depression, such as a decreased appetite, sluggish behavior, trouble sleeping, and a lack of interest in playing or spending time with people.

Therefore, Brott says, if you are divorcing with an infant, it is imperative that you take care of yourself and your emotions for the sake of both you and your baby. "If you're depressed," he said, "you won't be an effective caregiver."

Source: The Seattle Times, "Ask Mr. Dad: Don't divorce your baby," Armin Brott, Jan. 19, 2012