Resources for Children Developmentally from Birth to Age 1
undergoing medical care and healthcare experiences
Read.
Read, sing, or talk to your baby, to help develop language and sounds.
Book of the Month: Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, by Mem Fox
Watch.
Each other! Encourage family members to sing songs, read books, and use expressive language to tell stories via video chat if they are unable to visit. Reach out to Child Life or Music Therapy to help you or family members record voices to comfort your baby when you need to step away from the bedside.
Do.
Bring comfort from home: familiar music, blankets, books, favorite toy/stuffed animal, and/or photos to encourage a sense of familiarity and routine.
Provide caregiver presence and familiar routines in order to develop your baby’s sense of trust and security through your consistent interactions and support.
Create an environment that fosters routine, by maintaining a daily schedule of regular sleep and awake patterns during their hospital stay.
Utilize position for comfort for medical procedures and exams.
Read, sing, or talk to your baby to help develop language and sounds
Use appropriate lighting to follow natural sleep cycles.
Physically soothe or comfort your baby to help calm their startle responses and regulate their nervous system, to promote their sense of calm, trust, and security.
Use soft and soothing voice (Caregiver’s voice preferred).
Play with your baby when they are relaxed and alert to promote relaxation.
Play peek-a-boo with medical masks and hats.
Allow infants to hold and play with medical objects. Use only safe items. Anything that fits in the mouth can cause choking.
Screen-time for children from birth to age 1.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children younger than 18 months, avoid the use of screen media other than video-chatting.
I Can. You Can.
Developmental Support for infants birth - 12 months (printable)
