Measuring premature baby milestones is very individual for each child. After all, they made an early appearance on Earth! They are not developmentally in the same place as their peers sharing their birthday. Here’s all the information you need to measure premature baby milestones.
How do you measure premature baby milestones?
Measuring premature baby milestones involves tracking their development based on their adjusted age rather than their actual age. Calculate the adjusted age by subtracting the weeks premature from the chronological age. For example, if a baby was born 8 weeks early and is now 6 months old, the adjusted age would be 4 months.
Are premature baby milestone charts beneficial?
Many parents make the mistake of constantly comparing their babies milestones with the doctor’s charts based on the adjusted age. While we can do this when consulting a doctor familiar with the baby, it is not good to be overly critical since every baby’s progress is unique, and each premature baby will develop at their own pace. You will be better off asking the doctor about what to expect from your child based on this unique situation and asking which intervention may be necessary. Monitoring your baby’s progress is very important to ensure necessary steps are taken, especially in these key areas.
Areas to Monitor Your Babies Progress
Motor Skills
Observe the baby’s ability to control movements. This includes gross motor skills (like rolling over, sitting up, crawling) and fine motor skills (like grasping objects).
Cognitive Skills
Look for signs of problem-solving and understanding of their environment. This includes looking at and reaching for toys.
Social and Emotional Development
Assess how the baby interacts with caregivers and expresses emotions. Milestones include smiling, cooing, and making eye contact.
Language Development
Monitor babbling and response to sounds. Early milestones include cooing and eventually forming words.
What if I am concerned about my babies progress?
Consult your doctor
If you are worried about your baby’s progress, always ask your doctor if it’s normal and ask them what can be done. Always opt for rather safe than sorry! It is preferable to ask a hundred extra questions than miss one important one.
Get White Glove Early Intervention therapy services
Whether your baby needs assistance with eating, fine motor skills, cognitive skills, or something else, our expert therapists will come to your home to help your child. The earlier you start early intervention, the more effective it will be! If you are unsure whether intervention is necessary, feel free to contact us for a free developmental consultation to determine what the best route for your child will be.
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