Infant Intervention Targeted Toolkit

Ages 0 - 12 Months

Parenting a baby with a congenital heart defect (CHD) can be exhausting, and it is normal to feel overwhelmed when thinking about how to help a baby to receive developmental services. In this toolkit, we have identified the most important developmental interventions for most babies with heart defects. By focusing on these interventions, you can feel confident that your baby is getting the help they need to move forward.

A mom with short black hair sits on a white couch and holds up her baby, who has a congenital heart defect (CHD) and is standing on her lap.

Services to support a baby's motor skills

Babies with congenital heart defects (CHDs) are sometimes slower to learn how to use their bodies. These interventions can help them to work towards their next milestone.

A baby with a congenital heart defect (CHD) wears a brown shirt and uses a drumstick to bang on a white drum.

Services to build cognitive skills in babies

Babies have a lot to learn about the world, and sometimes babies with congenital heart defects (CHDs) need some extra help. These interventions can help babies to develop their thinking and understanding.

A father with a brown beard holds his infant girl with a congenital heart defect (CHD) on his lap, reading her a picture book.

Language interventions for babies

Babies with congenital heart defects (CHDs) can sometimes need support in learning to use and understand language. These interventions can help them to make progress.

A dad cradles his infant son, who has a congenital heart defect (CHD), while the baby's other holds the baby's hands and smiles.

Interventions to promote a baby's social skills

Early social development can be disrupted in babies who are often sick and hospitalized. These services can help a baby and family to build strong early social skills.

A baby with a congenital heart defect sits on a parents hip, with a brown pigtail and sucking on a pink pacifier.

Services to support a baby's emotional skills

Babies with congenital heart defects (CHDs) can have trouble learning to recognize, regulate, and communicate their emotions. These interventions can help them to build emotional skills.

A mother in a dark red head scarf holds her baby boy, who has a congenital heart defect (CHD) and wears a light blue outfit, in front of a green background.

Guide to Early Intervention (EI)

This step-by-step guide directs parents and caregivers on the steps to set up early intervention for their young child.

A baby with a congenital heart defect (CHD) and black hair wheres a green and yellow hoodie and sits at a table, looking up.

Early Intervention (EI)

Early Intervention is a program for young children (ages 0, 1, 2) at risk of developmental delays, and nearly all children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) to receive this critical service.

A baby with a congenital heart defect is wrapped in a fleece blanket, and looks up at the camera.

Developmental Care

Developmental Care is a set of practices that can improve outcomes for hospitalized babies. Learn how Developmental Care could help your baby.

A woman wearing pink scrubs holds a baby with a congenital heart defect (CHD) on his stomach on a blue cylinder.

Head Start and Early Head Start

Some young children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) qualify for Head Start or Early Head Start, and can receive developmental interventions including daycare and preschool.

A baby with a congenital heart defect sits in a ball pit, wears a red dress and red bow, and sticks out her tongue.

Speech and language therapy for babies

Speech and language therapy can help babies with congenital heart defects (CHDs) with communication, understanding, and also eating and swallowing.

A baby with a congenital heart defect (CHD) wears a white shirt and lies on a white blanket on her side, while an adult gently cups her body.

Physical therapy for babies and toddlers

Babies and toddlers with congenital heart defects (CHDs) often need physical therapy (PT) in order to build strength and coordination in their bodies.

A baby with a congenital heart defect (CHD) wears an orange jacket and gray hood, and smiles at his mother on a playground.

Occupational therapy for babies

Babies with congenital heart defects (CHDs) often need occupational therapy to help them with skills such as self-regulation, using their hands, and learning play skills.