Growth and Development in Premature Babies

A child's development, whether a full-term baby or a a preemie, is a complex series of steps. The first year is a time for big changes in a baby, though development rate for each baby is different; no two babies mature at the same rate or even in the same way.
A premature baby, however requires special care and attention after discharge from the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit, and extra care is given to see development and growth in a preemie in the first two years of their lives. There are often a host of medical problems and delayed development issues with a premature baby.

First Two Years in a Preemie's Life

the development progress of a preemie is counted from his/her original due date rather than by birth date. Thus, if a baby is 15 weeks old as per normal delivery date but was born at week 30 of gestation, he/she was born 10 weeks before full term. The age of the baby in terms of developmental age will be counted as not 15 weeks in that case, rather it will be 5 weeks.
          Using this adjusted age system makes it easier for parents to understand why most preemie babies reach their development milestones of first smile, first sit up etc at ages later than full-term babies. It is important for parents to realize that preemie development chart is not the same as that for full-term baby, and with time they will understand their baby's progress chart.

Tracking Growth in a Preemie

A pediatrician tracks changes in a growing preemie baby over the course of the first two years. To ensure growth is healthy, the doctor regularly checks the baby's reflexes, motor skills, sensory responses, muscle tone and speech.
It is the first two years that are critical in determining the growth progress in a premature baby; for most cases, preemies catch up with their full-term counterparts in all aspects of development like height, weight and other statistics by the end of the two years. As a preemie grows big enough to begin school, it is important to keep track of any possible difficulties in hearing, vision or even in learning. The good news is, however, as a preemie grows older, the noticeable differences between his/her development and a full-term baby become progressively less significant.           

Fitting Immunization in a Preemie's Growth Chart

apart from regular checkups with doctor, getting all recommended immunization shots keeps childhood illnesses like hepatitis, meningitis and whooping cough at bay. Most important of immunizations are to be administered within the first two years of a baby's life, and should not be missed under any circumstance. Most premature babies need to receive their vaccine shots at the same age as full-term babies unless the pediatrician suggests otherwise.

Premature babies  may have their own growth milestones to reach which they will in their own time; it is important for parents not to get anxious over delays in some development stage. Providing the baby with right nutrition and personal care will help them develop faster to catch up with their counterparts.