A premature or preterm baby is born well before the expected 40 weeks of gestation. The baby born before completing 37 weeks is termed a premature baby. Preemies commonly weigh under 2 kgs and are often faced with delay in their developmental milestones. Weight is the most important measure to assess your baby’s growth. Here is a bird’s eye view of how you can gauge if your baby’s growth is on the right track.
Image Source: Wikipedia
Weight:
Growth: A premature baby shows a slower growth pattern as compared to a normal full term baby. Hence, it is important that you use the adjusted age of your baby while referring the growth charts.
Most of all, don’t get too worried. Try and stay calm and show all your love and care - that fuels growth the most!
References:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/1998/0501/p2123.html#sec-5
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007302.htm
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/preemie/Pages/Preemie-Milestones.aspx
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/premature-birth/basics/coping-support/con-20020050
http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/premature_baby_development_concerns.html
https://www.babycenter.com/0_whats-normal-development-for-your-premature-baby_10300025.bc
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/poor-weight-gain-in-infants-and-children-beyond-the-basics
Disclaimer: This article has been written by experts for the users of BabyChakra
Also Read: Stop Worrying About Caring for Premature Babies. Follow These Tips, The Basics About a Premature Baby