Having a Premature Baby
Premature babies
Around 57 babies are born prematurely each day in Australia, representing about 7% of all births. A baby is considered premature if they are born before 37 weeks of pregnancy, with a full-term pregnancy lasting around 40 weeks.
Sometimes the reasons for a premature birth are known, but in around half of cases they are not. Thanks to major advances in neonatal care, survival rates for premature babies are now greater than 90%.
What can I expect for my premature baby?
Most premature babies go on to develop normally. However, some children born prematurely may experience developmental difficulties. These are often mild and can include sensory issues (such as needing glasses or hearing aids) or motor challenges (such as clumsiness).
Children born prematurely are more likely than full-term children to experience challenges across different areas of development, although many difficulties improve over time.
Common developmental difficulties for premmie babies
The severity of developmental difficulties can range from very subtle to more significant. Some children may have mild motor delays, while others may require specialist support. Babies born very early are more likely to experience challenges, and these can sometimes be more pronounced.
One challenge for parents is that developmental difficulties are often hard to identify in the early years. Many young children show behaviours that are part of normal development and resolve as the brain matures, such as during the “terrible twos”.
Even when young children are formally assessed, early measures are not always as accurate as those used with older children. Developmental differences often become clearer when children reach school age, where skills can be compared with peers of the same age.
The premmie baby’s changing brain
Brain plasticity is one of the great strengths of premature babies. Developing brains are highly adaptable and can change in response to a child’s environment. Even when there have been early challenges during pregnancy or shortly after birth, the young brain has a strong capacity to grow and develop in positive ways.
Rather than feeling anxious about possible future difficulties, we encourage parents to learn about child development and ways to support and enrich their baby’s early environment. The first years of life are especially important, as this is when the brain is most flexible and responsive to positive experiences.
What are the issues for parents of premmie babies?
Emotional health of parents
After the birth of a premature baby, parents often experience a wide range of emotions. These can include fear and helplessness while their baby is in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), as well as sadness or frustration about not always being able to comfort or hold their baby.
Some parents worry about bonding with their baby while in the NICU. Wherever possible, we encourage parents to be involved in their baby’s care, such as touching, washing, changing nappies, or talking to their baby. NICU nurses can guide you on how and when to do this, and when your baby needs rest and quiet time.
Adjusting to being at home with your premmie baby
When it is time to take your baby home, many parents experience mixed emotions: joy and relief alongside anxiety and uncertainty. These feelings are completely normal.
By this stage, you will likely have spent weeks or months getting to know your baby and taking on much of their care. Before discharge, make sure you have emergency contact numbers and know who to call if you need advice or reassurance once you are home.
Looking for further support?
If you are experiencing anxiety, depression, or emotional distress, PIRI programs such as MumMoodBooster and Mum2BmoodBooster may be helpful.
For additional support tailored to families of premature babies, the Life’s Little Treasures Foundation and the Miracle Babies Foundation (24-hour support line: 1300 622 243) offer excellent resources and support for parents.
