Premature Baby Development Week-by-Week

Like all babies, premature babies need their parents' love and support to grow and thrive. They also need a little more time to get comfortable with the outside world and process their surroundings. When you take your preemie home for the first time, you’ll want to learn as much as you can about the unique qualities of preemie development and when they may reach certain milestones. Your baby’s healthcare providers will provide you with information and support based on your little one’s individual situation; however, this article is a great resource to give you an idea of premature baby development week-by-week and the milestones your preemie may reach based on their adjusted age.

Premature Newborn Development

Premature babies are babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. There are different stages of premature birth. Your healthcare providers will be able to tell you more about the level and type of care your preemie may need in the future based on their individual medical background and whether they were extremely premature, very premature, or moderate to late premature. Because preterm babies enter the world earlier than full-term babies, they typically experience developmental milestones at a different pace. Although you’ll no doubt be anxious to see your preemie hitting early developmental milestones, it’s important to remember that there’s no definitive guide to preemie week-by-week development, and, like each baby, your preemie is unique.

Adjusted Age for Prematurity

For preemies, when certain milestones should be reached is generally calculated based on their due date, not their birth date. It may help you to calculate your preemie’s “adjusted age,” also known as “corrected age,” which takes into account how early they were born to estimate when they might hit certain milestones. To calculate your preemie’s adjusted age, start with how many weeks it has been since their birth and subtract the number of weeks premature they were. This will give you their adjusted/corrected age. For example, if your baby was born 12 weeks ago and they were 6 weeks premature, their corrected age will be 6 weeks (12 weeks – 6 weeks = 6 weeks). For more information on adjusted age for preemies check out our dedicated article. Above all, keep in mind, that your healthcare provider and neonatal team are the true experts who can give you the best guidance and advice.

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Preemie Development Milestones

If you’re wondering “When do preemies catch up?” It’s important to remember that every baby is unique and grows and develops at their own rate, whether full-term or premature. Still, professionals have identified common milestones that children reach, and it’s possible to track this development for premature babies, too, by using their adjusted/corrected gestational age, which we discussed earlier in the article. So, whether your preemie was late preterm (born shortly before 37 weeks), moderately preterm (born between 32 and 34 weeks), or very (born between 28 and 32 weeks) to extremely preterm (born before 28 weeks), using their adjusted age can help you when considering their developmental milestones. So, if your 6-month-old baby was born 2 months early, their adjusted age is 4 months, so you would anticipate 4-month milestones even though they’re 6 months old. Once you have your baby’s adjusted age, you can check out our preemie developmental milestone charts below to track their progress. You’ll find rough guides for language, physical, and social development. But remember, every baby is unique and they develop at different rates! Your healthcare provider and neonatal team can provide individual guidance and support to help your preemie’s progress. Always refer to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about your little one’s development.

Preemie Milestones: Physical Development

Physical development includes both gross and fine motor skills. Preemies may reach these milestones later than full-term babies, but tracking their adjusted age can help set appropriate expectations. So, if you have questions such as “When do premature babies start to see?” or “When to start tummy time with a preemie?” use our chart below as a rough guide.

Preemie Milestones: Language Development

Language development in premature babies may be slightly delayed compared to full-term babies. However, using your preemie’s adjusted age can give you a better idea of when to expect certain milestones, such as cooing and saying their first words.

Preemie Milestones: Social Development

Social development encompasses how preemies interact with others and their environment. Using your preemie’s adjusted age can help you gauge when to expect social milestones.

When Can Preemies Go Home?

When your preemie can go home from the hospital usually depends on their individual situation, including how early they were born and the special care they need. So, whether your baby was born at 27, 30, 34 weeks, etc., the length of time infants stay in the hospital or NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) depends on the progress they’re making. Your neonatal care team will assess your baby’s progress and discuss with you if they’re ready to go home or if they need more time in the hospital. They will check to see if your preemie has reached certain NICU milestones, such as:

• being medically well enough

• regulating their own body temperature

• breathing on their own

• gaining weight

• feeding without supplemental tubes.

Before your premature baby is discharged, your healthcare team will closely assist you in preparing for life at home and help you feel comfortable caring for your preemie. Some hospitals allow you to stay with your preemie until they’re ready to go home. This may allow you more involvement in the daily care of your baby while in the hospital. Either way, your healthcare team will support you with anything you need and any questions you may have.

How to Help Support Your Preemie’s Development

It’s natural to feel nervous about bringing your preemie home and supporting their developmental needs, but there are some great ways you can help support their early growth and development:

1. Support your baby’s efforts. As babies grow, they learn how to do things for themselves, for example how to self-soothe and self-regulate. You will see how amazing they are and what they can do as they develop. However, preterm babies may need extra assistance. Try helping your baby’s efforts; if sucking their fingers calms them, gently guide their hand to their mouth or provide a stable arm for support.

2. Handle with care. When they’re awake, move them gently and slowly. They’re still learning and working hard to control their arms and legs. Holding your child close so they feel support and warmth or swaddling them in a blanket will help until their movements are more purposeful and controlled.

3. Provide routine and consistency. Just like most adults, babies need to know what to expect next to reduce their anxiety and help them perform better. By providing a set daily routine (with the same caregiver and bedtime rituals, for example), you are creating an organized and predictable world for them. When they feel safe and relaxed in this routine, they will learn new skills more easily.

4. Create a soothing environment. Reduce noise and bright lights to create a soothing space for your baby. Preemies are often more sensitive to stimuli, so a calm environment can help them feel secure and relaxed. Be aware of places and situations that tend to be overwhelming for them, and try to avoid them. For example, taking a fragile infant to a grocery store may be too much sensory input.

5. Keep them comfortable. To ensure their sensitive skin is more comfortable, use a super absorbent preemie diaper, as this will help reduce diaper rash and help maintain the skin’s pH. Pampers sensitive wipes are also helpful in caring for easily irritated preemie skin.

6. Kangaroo care. Skin-to-skin contact, also known as kangaroo care, is important for all newborns, and preemies also benefit from being held against their parent’s bare chest. The benefits may include stabilizing your baby’s heart rate and breathing, supporting sleep, and helping to create that special bond between you and your baby. You can even do skin-to-skin with your preemie while in the hospital if the care team says it’s ok. They’ll provide you with advice based on your baby’s needs.

7. Encourage tummy time. Start with short, supervised sessions of tummy time as soon as your baby is ready. This helps strengthen their neck, shoulders, and upper body muscles, which are important for physical development.

8. Talk and sing to your baby. Even if they don’t respond right away, talking and singing gently to your baby can help support their language development. Your voice is comforting, and hearing language helps them learn sounds and rhythms.

9. Follow your preemie’s cues. Pay attention to your baby’s signals to understand when they need rest, food, or interaction. Preemies can get overstimulated easily, so it's important to respond to their needs promptly.

10. Attend all your appointments. Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider are crucial for monitoring your preemie’s growth and development. These visits help ensure any developmental concerns are addressed early on.

11. Provide gentle sensory stimulation. Softly touch your baby’s hands, feet, and face to help them become accustomed to sensory experiences. Gradually introduce different textures, sounds, and gentle movements to support their sensory development.

12. Encourage interaction with toys. As your baby grows, introduce age-appropriate toys that encourage reaching, grasping, and exploring. These activities help develop fine motor skills and cognitive abilities.

13. Be patient and positive. Celebrate each small milestone and be patient with your baby’s unique timeline. Providing a positive and supportive environment can boost their confidence and development.

The Bottom Line

Preemie development may follow a different timeline compared to full-term babies, but using your baby’s adjusted age can provide a clearer picture of when to expect key milestones. Every preemie is unique, and they will reach these milestones at their own pace. By creating a nurturing and supportive environment, engaging in gentle developmental activities, and staying vigilant with regular healthcare appointments, parents can help their preterm baby thrive. Remember to celebrate each small achievement and consult your healthcare provider to ensure your baby’s development is on track. And while you’re here, you might like to download our Pampers Club app for rewards on all those diaper purchases.

_{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.}