Does Premature Birth Affect Height?

What do you know about prematurity?

As mentioned above, if your baby was born 3 weeks or more earlier than their expected due date, they are called “premature.” 

Why are they born early?

Previously, doctors did not know why babies were born early. But then, it is often because a mother has a health issue during pregnancy, such as

• High blood pressure or high blood sugar
• Kidney or heart problems
• An infection of the vaginal or urinary tracts or the amniotic membranes.

Also, babies might be born early if:

• The mother’s womb is not typically shaped
• Multiple births like twins, triples, or more
• The mother did not gain enough weight during pregnancy or was underweight before the pregnancy
• The mother used drugs, smoked, or drank alcohol during pregnancy
• There is bleeding, often due to a placenta that divides from the womb or a low-lying placenta

So, does premature birth affect height?

You need to determine the child’s corrected age first. For instance, if your 3-month-old baby was born one month early, their corrected age is 2 months. Hence, you would expect two-month milestones though they are 3 months. When knowing your premature baby’s corrected age, you can mention a development milestones chart to check their growth. And after they turn 2, you no longer care about the corrected age.

Now, back to the above question!

The short answer is preemie babies might have a higher chance of not reaching their growth and development milestones compared to babies born at term. This is because they have had less time to grow in the protective environment of the uterus.

When will my preemies catch up in height and weight?

Well, it is hard to answer this question because all babies grow and develop according to their timeline. That’s why some preemie babies might catch up within weeks, while others take one or two years before moving to a conventional growth chart for full-term babies.

There is a small number of premature kids who never completely reach and remain slightly smaller than average during their lives. For instance, if your baby had a tough time getting enough nutrition in their early months, they tend to remain on a lower growth curve.

Also, very premature babies are more likely to remain relatively short, though they might approach in terms of weight by their late teens. It is necessary to remember that genetics can be the main reason for their shorter stature or smaller size.

How about the time my preemies reach their development milestones?

Again, there is no one answer here. The reason is simple as all babies learn and develop on their schedule, whether or not they were born prematurely. But in general, doctors suggest following along with your kid’s corrected age to determine when they might reach developmental milestones and growth-related ones.

For instance, if your premature is 3 months old with an adjusted age of 2 months, you can expect them to satisfy the milestones of a 2-month-old baby such as making cooing sounds, smiling, and following you with their eyes. Another example is that most full-term babies will sit up between 4 and 7 months, but a baby born two months early can be expected to do this later (about 6 to 9 months).

Learn about premature baby development

Here you will find important milestones for language, physical, and social development based on the corrected age for preterm babies. But remember that each baby is unique, and they grow and develop at different ages.

What should parents do as their preemies grow?

Pay attention to the baby’s nutritional needs

We all know breast milk is the best nutrition for all newborn babies, especially preemies. Because breast milk has protein that helps fight infection. Most premature babies cannot feed straight from the breast or milk bottle at first, so mothers often pump their milk given to babies through a tube. Or, doctors might sometimes suggest giving the donor milk from a milk bank.

Doctors and dietitians observe the diets of premature babies carefully and make adjustments if necessary to ensure the babies get the nutrients to grow.

Give a soothing environment

Pre-term babies might be sensitive to noises or new experiences. Hence, parents need to be careful when they are tired or concentrating on a difficult skill like feeding. Also, be watch out for places and situations that are overwhelming. For instance, a short visit to the supermarket might be too much.

Comprehend pacing and timing

Your baby is easily annoyed about organizing their sleep-wake schedules and dealing with caregiving from different people. Therefore, you need to notice signals that they are ready for play, yet make sure to give them pauses when they need to take a nap or recover.

Have a routine

No matter how old you are, having some sort of routine might benefit your health. Of course, it does help your premature babies, especially at bedtime. Giving consistency with bedtime and placing them to sleep in the same bed can help them feel safe and relaxed.

Be aware of the baby’s demands

Believe it or not, babies can self-regulate and self-soothe. But preterm babies need extra assistance like giving them a stable arm or supporting their feeding. These small changes can have a significant influence on their developmental progress. Importantly, the more time you spend with them, the more in tune you will be with their demands.

Take care of your baby

For instance, your baby is awake, and you need to change their nappy. Make sure to move them slowly and gently. You can say gently like “Hello, my sweetheart. Now, we are going to do a nappy change.” Read their cues and respond accordingly.

Final thoughts,

Having a premature baby might make you worried during the first couple of years. However, everything can be solved thanks to your child’s providers. They are always here to support you if you have any concerns or questions about your child’s growth and development. They can ease your mind and help you throughout each stage of your baby’s life.

• Related post: Reasons why children cannot grow taller