Developmental Milestones of Preemie Babies

If your baby was born early, their developmental milestones are often different than a full-term baby. That is perfectly normal. Most premature babies, or preemies, do catch up over time. They just may need a bit more time and support to get there. Understanding your baby's timeline can help you feel more confident about their progress.

What Is a Preemie?

A preemie is a baby born more than three weeks before the due date. A full-term baby is born around 40 weeks. Preemies can arrive anywhere from a few weeks to several months early.

The earlier a baby is born, the more time they may need to catch up, developmentally. Babies born just a few weeks early often catch up fast. Babies born much earlier may need more time and extra support.

Many preemies spend time in the NICU after birth before going home.

What Is Adjusted Age?

One of the most helpful tools for understanding your preemie's growth is called adjusted age. This is based on your baby's due date, not their birth date.

Here is how it works. Take your baby's current age and subtract the number of weeks they were born early. For example, if your baby is four months old but was born two months early, their adjusted age is two months. You would look for two-month milestones, not four-month ones.

Doctors often use adjusted age to track growth until your child is about two years old.

What Milestones Should You Look For?

Every baby is different. But here are some milestones you might look for based on your preemie's adjusted age.

• Month 2. By two months, your baby may start to smile, follow objects with their eyes, and hold their head up for a little while.
• Month 4. By four months, they may begin to babble, reach for toys, and hold their head steady.
• Month 6. By six months, many babies start to sit with support, respond to their name, and roll over.
• Month 9. By nine months, your baby may crawl, pull up to stand, and pick up small objects.
• Month 12. By twelve months, some babies take their first steps, say a few words, and wave goodbye.

Keep in mind that these are guides, not rules. Your baby may reach some milestones sooner and others a bit later. Your pediatrician can track these milestones at regular checkups and let you know if your baby is on track.

When Should You Get Help?

If you feel like your baby is falling behind, talk to your provider. Getting help early can make a big difference. There are programs that offer support for babies who need extra help with movement, speech, or learning. These are called early intervention programs.

Signs to watch for include not meeting milestones for their adjusted age, losing skills they once had, or trouble with sleeping or feeding.

If you have questions about your preemie's growth or milestones, reach out to your Baptist Health primary care provider. If you don't have one, you can find a provider using our provider directory.