Purpose to analyze the possible correlation between changes in levels of risk to infant development baby’s linguistic and psychological and maternal depression in a sample of mothers of babies born in medium-sized city and around the central region of Rio Grande do Sul. Methods the survey was conducted with 165 mother-infant dyads in University Hospital in which the children were newborn hearing screening in the period from March to May 2010. The data collection used a structured interview on socioeconomic, demographic, obstetric and psychosocial factors, application of the Beck Depression Inventory and Clinical Indicators of Risk for Child Development. Results when assessed values of the mother depression ranges between children with and without development risk, there was statistically significant difference, as most mothers did not show signs of depression and the babies had no risk for the development. Conclusions the analysis showed that a higher proportion of babies with development risk altered when levels of maternal depression are elevated in the postpartum period.