Development of a premature baby

Childbirth that begins prematurely always causes concern among both parents and medical personnel. The child is not yet developed enough and is not ready for a full-fledged existence. But with proper care and special attention, he will successfully overcome all developmental difficulties.

Features of premature babies

Let's figure out which babies are usually referred to as “premature.” This concept applies to a child if he was born before 37 weeks pregnancy. The weight of such a baby is usually less than 2500 grams, and the height does not reach 47 cm. Prematurity is also divided into degrees, which depend on the date of birth and the weight of the baby.

Premature babies have significant differences from babies born at the right time:

• Low weight that does not correspond to the norm.
• Small size of a disproportionately developed body.
• Soft bones of the skull.
• The child moves little, is lethargic, his voice is very quiet.
• Soft fluff is visible throughout the body.
• Insufficiently developed genitals.
• Soft ears and imperfect visual system.
• A premature baby quickly becomes hypothermic or overheated.
• The internal organ systems are undeveloped, especially the nervous system.

Premature babies master the basic skills inherent in normally born babies much later. If the baby was born before 32 weeks of pregnancy, then the lag in its development will be from three to four months. If the baby appears later than this period, the delay will be only one or two months.

Babies weighing less than one and a half kilograms require special conditions for development immediately after birth. They are placed in special incubators that create conditions as similar as possible to the womb. When the baby's weight reaches 1700 grams, he is transferred to a heated crib. Once the weight reaches 2 kg, additional heating is no longer needed. It is important to create the most comfortable conditions for premature babies due to the peculiarities of the development of their nervous system.

A baby with the first degree of prematurity is born at 36 or 37 weeks pregnancy. Their weight ranges from 2 kg to 2.5 kg.

If the baby was born between 32 and 35 weeks pregnancy and weighs from 1.5 kg to 2 kg, then grade 2 prematurity is assigned.

In the third degree of prematurity, the baby appears weighing from 1 kg to 1.5 kg. This usually occurs from 28 weeks to 31 weeks of pregnancy. This degree of prematurity is considered profound.

The last degree of prematurity is extreme. The weight of such babies is less than 1 kg. Such babies are born with a pregnancy of less than 28 weeks.

But even with such differences, a premature baby should not be considered defective. If there are no serious health problems other than prematurity, he can quickly catch up with his peers. The most important thing is that the baby successfully gains weight.

Development of premature babies by month

Let's look at how premature babies develop month by month and when they will catch up with their peers who were born on time. A premature baby in the first month of life requires the creation of special living conditions. He must be provided with constant medical supervision. Depending on the degree of prematurity and the state of his health, resuscitation measures are carried out. If there is such a need, the baby is connected to a special feeding tube and provided with artificial ventilation. They also create conditions for comfortable thermoregulation. Due to the immature state of the gastrointestinal tract, body weight increases very slowly. The child may partially or completely lack congenital reflexes, be lethargic, and have decreased muscle tone.

In the second month, body weight increases more rapidly. The same can be said for increasing height. Babies get tired quickly and therefore most often sleep. It is very difficult for them to breastfeed, so they are fed with expressed milk. It is difficult for a child to hold his head.

In the third month, the baby doubles its weight at birth. The child begins to show reflexes and respond to sound and facial expressions. The baby is already able to fix his gaze on certain objects or on the faces of his parents. He still gets tired easily and mostly sleeps.

The fourth month of birth is marked by new successes in motor activity - he can lift and hold his head, and picks up a toy with his hands. The baby can already make sounds on his own. At this time, special attention must be paid to the development of the nervous system. Usually the doctor recommends several sessions of a special massage, as well as several exercises to perform independently with your mother.

At five months, premature babies begin to smile. The little ones are already beginning to be more awake, and there is an increase in interest in the world around them. He can reach for a toy, grab it and hold it. The baby actively moves his limbs, his vision and hearing improve. But the high tone of the arms and legs still remains.

At the age of six months, the baby is already advised to spoon-feed semi-liquid food. Babies at this age can roll over on their side and make attempts to roll onto their stomach. There is an active desire to communicate with other people. Children with 1 degree of prematurity by this age, subject to all recommendations and conditions, are catching up with their peers.

At the age of 7 months, babies already independently roll over onto their stomachs and even try to crawl. Children have been babbling and playing for a long time, they can pick up objects on their own. They stand on all fours for a long time, swaying. This means that they will soon crawl on all fours.

At 8 months, the baby is already making attempts to sit independently, constantly changing body postures, and making further attempts to crawl. He already hums in different ways; some children can already pronounce individual syllables.

Nine-month-old premature babies can already roll over on their own, sit down and rise confidently, holding onto support. Children at this age begin to pronounce their first simple words.

At 10 months, the baby’s movements are already confident and dexterous, he is already trying to take his first steps, and not just stand. When sitting, the child usually holds his back confidently, but may not control his balance. The baby is already actively interested in moving objects and may show interest in adult food.

Eleven-month-old babies are already crawling well and are attempting to take their first steps with support from the wall. At this time, it is important not to rush the child. He will take the first step himself when he is ready. This usually happens later than in full-term babies - from 13 months to 18 months.

At one year, children with 1st or 2nd degree prematurity are no longer different from their peers born on time.