Infant (birth — 1 year)
Infancy is an exciting time for both the child and the family. Infants are able to recognize familiar objects, situations and faces. They will begin to show an interest in and react to their surroundings. Infants learn quickly that crying brings the parent or caregiver to their side, and they seek interaction with other people.
Common fears for infants can include separation from their primary caregivers; stranger anxiety; pain; parental anxiety, which is passed on to the infant; and anxiety due to either a lack of stimulation or over stimulation. These fears can be increased during a hospital or healthcare experience. The following strategies can help parents and caregivers during their infant's healthcare experience.
Review our growth and development information for more about your child's development by age.
Play and recreation
- Listening to music such as lullabies
- Providing familiar toys and objects from home such as stuffed animals, music, blankets and rattles
- Creating a visually stimulating environment during an inpatient stay with mirrors, mobiles and brightly colored crib toys
- Offering rattles, rings and keys
- Placing toys to encourage kicking, rolling and crawling
- Playing peek-a-boo
Medical play
- Playing peek-a-boo with doctor hats and masks
- Allowing your child to watch you play with medical equipment and dolls
- Letting your child explore and play with medical equipment, for example stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs and BAND-AIDS.
Preparation
- Bringing your child's favorite toy, blanket or stuffed animal
- Preparing yourself — if you are prepared, you will be more relaxed around your infant
- Bringing music that helps relax your baby
- Keeping routines as normal as possible
Coping techniques
- Holding your baby
- Speaking in a soft voice
- Playing music or singing
- Offering a pacifier
- Shaking rattles
Contact Us
- 215-590-2001
