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What It's Like To Be a Preemie

Last Updated: August 31, 2009

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Prenatal Tips for Your Newborn

If your baby was born before the full 9 months of pregnancy, he is considered a premature baby. Premature babies catch up on their development, but are a little different than full term babies.

  • My skin may be almost transparent and may change in color.
  • I may be a little floppy because my muscles are not developed.
  • I may be covered with a thin layer of hair.
  • My outer ear may not be fully developed.
  • I will look more like a full-term baby when I am 40 weeks old from the time the pregnancy began.
  • I may not be able to suck, or I may have trouble sucking and swallowing at the same time.
  • I may not cry very much. When I do cry it has a different sound than a full term baby.


Learn more about Your Newborn Baby from Just In Time Parenting. You can also go to our Resource Links for additional information on child care and development.


Note to Parents: When reading this newsletter, remember: Every baby is different. Children may do things earlier or later than described here. This newsletter gives equal space and time to both sexes. If he or she is used, we are talking about all babies.
References: These materials were adapted by authors from Extension Just in Time Parenting Newsletters in California, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Tennessee, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Wisconsin.

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