Corrected age and milestones

The growth and development of premature babies will look a little different, depending on how early they were born. Their growth and development progress is based on their corrected age, which helps check their progress and identify concerns more accurately. 

Corrected age = time since your baby was born - number of weeks or months they were early. 

Example: a baby was born 16 weeks ago. They were born at 29 weeks gestation, which is 11 weeks early. Their corrected age is 5 weeks old. 

Being positive about milestones

Developmental milestones are a common source of anxiety for parents. While they help track how your child is growing, they are broad guidelines and will be slightly different for every baby. Every child develops at their own pace, and not reaching a milestone on time doesn't necessarily indicate a problem. 

Comparison is the thief of joy and a source of unneeded stress. Try reframing milestone windows as a way to help you: 

  • encourage or boost certain areas of your baby’s development 
  • adapt your baby’s environment for stimulation and safety
  • identify potential delays early, which helps to bring your child up to speed. 

A quick guide to milestones by corrected age

Milestones are a guide. Remember every child is different. Speak to your child’s doctor or your local child and family health nurse if you are worried about your premature baby’s development. 

1 to 2 months corrected

  • Smiling 
  • Making eye contact 
  • Basic limb movements 
  • Vocalising and cooing 
  • Responding to sounds and voices 
  • Starting to engage with immediate surroundings. 

4 months corrected

  • Laughter and more vocalisations 
  • Head control gets better 
  • Grasping objects 
  • Exploring by touch and bringing things to the mouth 
  • Building strength through tummy time  
  • Starting to sit up with support. 

6 months corrected

  • Sitting with support 
  • Rolling over, left to right and front to back 
  • Reaching for objects 
  • Head control gets even better 
  • Starting to hold their bodyweight on their legs, with support 
  • Vocalisations and interactions get more advanced and personal. 

9 months corrected

  • Babbling with various sounds – da, ba, and ma are common 
  • Sitting on their own without support 
  • Crawling or pulling themselves along the floor 
  • Recognising familiar faces and names 
  • Walking with support 
  • Fine motor skills like pulling and pincer grip are developing. 

1 year corrected

  • Pulling up on objects to a standing position 
  • Cruising around furniture 
  • Fine motor skills develop like grasping a spoon and moving it to the mouth 
  • Anxiety or fear around strangers develops 
  • Enjoying picture books and interactive play 
  • Developing language skills and showing independence.