![]() ![]() It's easy to become very focused on comparing your child with other children. Try to avoid comparing your child to others Remember that term babies may not meet development milestones either so try not to worry too much. The milestones have been designed to help professionals spot problems early. For example, 8–18 months is the average age when a child will start trying to walk on their own. These are usually carefully worked out targets based on the average age at which children tend to develop certain skills. Throughout your child's early life, the healthcare team will observe their development and measure their progress against milestones. Rather than 'targets' to be measured, it's more helpful to view milestones as signals that some premature babies might need extra help. Speak to your health visitor if your baby’s measurements vary more than this. Your baby’s weight or length centile may change as they get older, but they usually only go up or down 1 centile. The healthcare team may recommend changing how often and how much you feed them. If they’re very different from each other, this may show that your baby is overweight or underweight. Your baby's measurements for their height and weight should be on similar centiles. There are separate charts for girls and boys, as boys tend to be heavier. For example, if your baby's length is in the fifth centile, it means they are the fifth longest out of 100 babies of the same age. The centile charts in your baby’s red book show how quickly your baby is growing and how their size compares with children of the same age. After that, they are plotted in the main charts using their corrected age, which is measured from your due date rather than their birth date. Babies born at 32–37 weeks are plotted in the preterm chart until 2 weeks after their estimated due date. ![]() If your baby was born before 32 weeks, their growth will be plotted in the low-birthweight chart. This has growth charts to plot your baby's growth and compare it with the average growth for their age. Understanding your baby's growth chartīefore you leave hospital, the healthcare team will give you a Personal Child Health Record, which is also called the 'red book'. The NHS website has more information about the development checks offered to all babies. You should also be offered emotional support to help you and your family cope with the effects of having a premature baby. Specialist services, such as physiotherapy, speech therapy and support from a dietitian are often co-ordinated so you can see more than 1 specialist in a single clinic visit. If your baby needs support or further tests, they may be referred to a specialist. They will also ask if you have any questions or concerns about your baby’s growth or development. For example, whether they are rolling over or sitting up, depending on their age. They may ask you how well your baby is feeding and what they’re doing. If your baby was born before 28 weeks, they will be offered an extra check when they are 4 years old.Īt your clinic appointments, the healthcare team may measure and weigh your baby. This is your baby’s age from your due date, rather than the day they were born.Īfter the age of 2, your child will have the same checks as other children their age. Your baby will be assessed according to their ‘corrected age’. ![]() Reaching developmental milestones may take a little longer for premature babies by comparison with babies born at full term. The healthcare team will use your baby’s developmental age to assess their growth and development in the first 2 years. Some premature babies have extra appointments so that any possible problems are picked up early. How will my premature baby’s development be checked?Īll babies have routine clinic appointments to monitor their development. You can speak to your health visitor or GP if you’re worried that your baby isn’t reaching their milestones, such as rolling over or crawling. Babies born with severe complications, such as a brain injury or infection, also have a higher risk. Babies born before 32 weeks are especially at risk because they have had less time to develop in the womb. But there is a higher chance of premature babies developing a long-term illness or disability compared with babies born at full-term. Most premature babies develop as expected and have healthy childhoods. ![]() How might premature birth affect my baby’s development? They will weigh your baby and check that you are settling in well together at home. A member of the healthcare team will usually visit you at home within the first few days of leaving the baby unit. ![]()
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