POOJA KOTHARIExpecting Mom due in 1 month2 months agoA. Developmental milestones for preterm babies (born before 37 weeks of pregnancy) are usually tracked using corrected age, not actual age. Corrected age is calculated by subtracting the number of weeks the baby was born early from their actual age. This helps give a more accurate picture of their development.
For example:
If your baby is 6 months old but was born 2 months early, their corrected age is 4 months—and their milestones should be compared to what a 4-month-old full-term baby typically does.
Key Developmental Areas to Monitor: Gross Motor Skills (head control, sitting, crawling, walking) Fine Motor Skills (grasping toys, hand-to-mouth movements) Language and Communication (cooing, babbling, responding to name) Social and Emotional (smiling, eye contact, playing with others) Cognitive Skills (tracking objects, recognizing faces, curiosity) What to Expect: By 3 months corrected: Smiling, lifting head, cooing By 6 months corrected: Rolling over, reaching for toys, responding to sounds By 9 months corrected: Sitting without support, babbling, stranger anxiety By 12 months corrected: Pulling to stand, saying simple words, waving bye Important Notes: Many preterm babies catch up to their peers by 2–3 years of age. Regular developmental check-ups are important to monitor progress. Early intervention (like physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy) is helpful if delays are seen.
Always use corrected age until at least 24 months when checking milestones, and consult your pediatrician if you're concerned about any delay.
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