Cognitive Development in Babies with Heart Defects
Ages 0 - 12 Months
Cognition is how a baby learns, thinks, solves problems, and understands. During infancy, the brain grows quickly, and babies discover new ways to perceive and understand their world. Babies are born ready to learn. They are keen observers, and they pay attention to the people and objects around them. They notice patterns, and experiment through play and exploration. Some babies make slower progress, and each baby develops at their own pace. Intervention can always help.
In this section
Typical infant cognitive development
During their first year, babies discover the basics of how their world works. During this year, most babies learn how to do things such as:
Recognize familiar people, places, and things
Remember and predict routines
Examine objects with their hands and mouths
Explore their space by moving and feeling
Know how people and objects usually behave (example: if you drop an object, it falls)
Bang things together to make sounds
Understand that something still exists even if they cannot see it
Use gestures, sounds, or words to get what they want
Respond to simple gestures and words
Tell the difference between living things and nonliving things
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Challenges to typical cognitive development
Like all babies, babies with congenital heart defects are curious and eager to learn. However, sometimes that face challenges that can make learning hard, at least for a while.
For example, babies may have a harder time learning if they:
often feel sick
often feel stressed
sleep more than usual
get tired easily
spend a lot of time in the hospital
are often recovering from illness or injury
cannot safely be touched or held
cannot explore new spaces and objects
have a genetic syndrome that affects brain development
have a brain injury
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Differences in a baby's cognitive development
Sometimes, babies with congenital heart defects (CHDs) develop differently from other babies. With intervention, most babies with CHDs can catch up to their peers. Other babies do not catch up, but intervention can help them to make great progress.
When a baby has a cognitive delay, they might:
Not remember objects or people
Not learn to expect things that happen every day
Seem uninterested in toys
Not respond to their name
Not watch and follow objects with their eyes
Not coo (make “ahh” noises) or babble (make “ba-ba-ba”-type noises)
Not seem to remember things they have already learned
Behave in a way that is more typical of a younger infant
If you notice that your baby is struggling in any of these ways, tell your doctor. Remember: every baby can learn, and help is always available. See below for information about intervention.
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Your unique and wonderful baby
Each baby follows their own path. Most babies develop in an expected way, and some babies develop in a more unusual way. All babies can make progress with love, attention, and intervention, and all babies can bring joy to those lucky enough to care for them.
Developmental care is best when it is local. Families local to Boston can receive care from the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program (CNP). Families from other regions can use the link below to find their local care team.
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