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Developmental Care Collection

Ages 0 - 12+ Months

When young children are hospitalized, Developmental Care practices can help them to relax, heal, and grow. Care focuses on the rights and needs of each child, centering their agency and their place within a family and community. These resources can help parents and providers to better understand the principles of Developmental Care, and to use them to support sick babies and children.

A mother in a Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) holds her baby with a congenital heart defect (CHD) skin-to-skin.
Developmental Care overview

Click to learn the big ideas of Developmental Care, and to begin using them with your child or patients.

Psychologist Dr. Samantha Butler, PhD, of Boston Children's Hospital headshot.
Development Care in Boston

In this article, psychologist Dr. Samantha Butler explains how Boston Children's Hospital uses Developmental Care in its nurseries.

A mother holds her baby with a congenital heart defect (CHD) skin-to-skin and kisses his head in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU).
Developmental Care in action

In this issue of the Boston Children's Hospital Answers blog, we see how Developmental Care is being used within a hospital nursery to support babies and families.

A mother wearing a pink shirt leans over and kisses her baby in a cardiac intensive care unit (CICU).
Hospital spaces

This article explains how hospital space can be designed or modified to promote the healthy development of babies and families.

A father wearing a blue shirt cuddles his infant son, who has a congenital heart defect (CHD).
Care practices

Parents and clinicians can use these strategies to support sick babies, and to help help to stay calm and content.

A parent cups their baby with a congenital heart defect (CHD) in their hands in the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU).
Pain management

Flexible and responsive pain management can help little ones to relax, heal, and focus on the tasks of development. This articles explains how parents and staff can work together to reduce children's discomfort.

A mother in a cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) holds her baby skin-to-skin under a blanket.
Developmental consultations

While babies are hospitalized, a developmental consultation can help to identify their unique strengths and needs, and to customize a developmental plan.

A father holds his newborn skin-to-skin in a cardiac intensive care unit (CICU).
Kangaroo care

Babies are often most relaxed when a parent can hold them as much as possible. Luckily, parents can safely hold most babies with congenital heart defects (CHDs). Keep reading to learn more about kangaroo care.

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