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Developmental Milestones in Preemies

"Preemie" is the slang term for a premature infant, a baby born before the gestational age of 36 weeks. Parents of preemies may hear that their child is developing in accordance with his "adjusted age," a calculation of the actual age of the baby minus how many weeks early he was born. While a baby born early won't necessarily hit the same developmental milestones at the same time as his full-term peers, parents should watch for certain milestones.

  1. Using Both Hands Equally

    • According to the March of Dimes, by the end of their third adjusted month, babies should be able to grab a rattle using either hand equally and by 7 months should be able to transfer the rattle from one hand to another. In preemies, favoring one hand or the other can be an early sign of low muscle tone, requiring physical or occupational therapy.

    Cooing and Babbling

    • According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies between months 4 and 8 should repeat sounds and string them into "sentences." These sounds should differ from normal crying and/or vocalizing. The March of Dimes recommends that preemies who are not babbling by 7 or 8 months adjusted be taken for hearing tests to assess whether they are able to discern sounds. Preemies with fine hearing will also benefit from speech therapy.

    Focusing on an Object or Face

    • According to the March of Dimes, by the end of the third month, babies should be able to track objects with their eyes, whether it be their mother's face or a favorite toy. Preemies who aren't tracking should receive vision testing. Often this can be a sign of poor vision or an underlying neurological condition brought on by the prematurity.

    Sitting Up or Crawling

    • Children between 9 to 12 months of age should be able to sit unassisted and roll onto his or her hands and knees in preparation for crawling, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The March of Dimes recommends that a preemie who is wobbly or unable to sit unassisted by 1 year adjusted should visit a physical therapist and developmental pediatrician, who can make sure that the baby is not presenting with signs of cerebral palsy, a common preemie condition.

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