Developmental Milestones in Premature Babies

Image calculating preterm infant growth chart tracking progress using adjusted age versus chronological age.

What is Adjusted Age?

Premature babies are infants born before 37 weeks, which means they have less time to develop in the womb. To account for this, healthcare providers use “adjusted age” to assess a preemie’s growth and development. 

Adjusted age is calculated by subtracting the number of weeks your baby was born early from their actual age.

Here’s a guide to what you can typically expect at different stages of your preemie’s development. Keep in mind that these milestones are based on how full-term babies develop. For premature babies, it’s important to use their adjusted age as a reference point.

Preemie Health guide to key developmental milestones for preterm infants based on adjusted age.

Most premature babies catch up to their full-term baby peers by the age of 2! However, this timeline depends on how early your baby was born and any health challenges they faced. Preemies born before 28 weeks or with significant medical complications may take longer to reach this milestone. 

Remember that every baby is unique so celebrate your baby’s progress no matter how small, and focus on their individual strengths and achievements. If you ever have concerns about your baby’s development, reach out to your healthcare provider.

 

This article was brought to you by Preemie, on a mission to close the precision gap in preterm nutrition.

Our platform uses federated AI and real-time milk analysis to deliver personalized, data-driven care for preterm infants while protecting patient privacy.

REFERENCES

  1. American Academy of Pediatrics. (2019). Your preemie’s growth & developmental milestones. HealthyChildren.org. Retrieved February 6, 2025, from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/preemie/Pages/Preemie-Milestones.aspx
  2. Friedman, J. D. (2015). Your Premature Baby: Milestones for the First 18 Months. WebMD. Retrieved February 6, 2025, from https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/features/premature-milestones