Child development: Premature babies
Welcoming a premature baby into the world can be both a joyful and challenging experience for parents.
About 8% of babies born in Australia are premature, meaning they were born before 37 weeks gestation.
Most premature babies will thrive as they grow, but some babies can have added challenges with areas of development caused by their early arrival into the world. Below, you can read about childhood development considerations when your baby is born prematurely, and how you can support their growth.
Understanding premature birth
Most premature babies are born between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation.
- Some babies born before 32 weeks can have immediate challenges with their health because their bodies are not as developed.
- Things like breathing and eating can be especially difficult, and your baby will probably need extra support from a medical team in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or Special Care Nursery (SCN).
- NICU and SCN can be an emotionally taxing period for parents as they recover from childbirth and adapt to a different start to their parenting journey.
- The doctors and nurses looking after your baby in NICU and SCN will not only support your baby, but they can supply support to you as parents and provide important education on your child’s individual development and how you can help them to grow strong.
Developmental disability
Most premature babies will eventually catch up in their development, but some may face mild disabilities depending on the reason for their premature birth and any added complications that might have happened during birth. Developmental disabilities related to premature birth can include:
- cerebral palsy
- visual or hearing difficulties
- learning delays
- gross and fine motor skill difficulties
- speech development delays.
Language development
While premature babies typically follow a similar language development path to full-term babies, their language development can be delayed. Delays in language development can be an indicator of early hearing, cognitive, or learning issues.
Physical disability
Premature babies will usually have a lower birth weight. It might take them a little while to physically catch up in weight and height compared to babies born at term. Some may experience minor difficulties in fine motor skills, coordination and planning of movement, matching what they see to their movement, and responding physically to sensory stimuli.
Dental health
Dental problems can be an issue with premature babies, including issues with tooth enamel, delayed teething or tooth eruption, and differences in the shape and structure of their mouth. Your baby’s doctor might recommend seeing a paediatric dentist around the age of 12 months, or when their first tooth arrives.
Sensory development
Most premature babies will have typical hearing, vision, and sensory awareness, but they are at a higher risk of developing hearing loss and visual impairments as they grow. These issues are usually picked up and addressed early through routine screening and assessments.
Learning and social-emotional development
Social and emotional development can vary for premature babies, considering any other complications or challenges with their birth. They might also experience difficulties with learning and concentration.
Premature babies can behave a bit differently to other babies in their first year, seeming more irritable and less engaged. This can be very stressful for parents especially when comparing baby behaviour and milestones in social situations. It’s important to keep checking in with your baby’s doctor about any concerns you might have.