Development Journey for Premies

Hey Mama,

Welcoming a premature baby into the world brings its own set of challenges and joys. As a fellow mom, I understand the rollercoaster of emotions you're on. At Petatoes, we want to walk this path with you, offering the right development support and guidance. One crucial thing to understand is the difference between chronological age and corrected age, and how these impact your baby’s development.

Chronological Age vs. Corrected Age

Let’s break this down in simple terms.

Chronological Age is your baby’s actual age from their birth date. For example, if your baby was born three months ago, their chronological age is three months.

Corrected Age (or adjusted age) is a little different. It’s based on your baby’s original due date. If your baby arrived three months early, their corrected age at three months chronological age would be zero. We use corrected age because it gives a clearer picture of where your baby is developmentally, accounting for those extra weeks they needed to grow and develop outside the womb.

Calculating Corrected Age

Calculating corrected age isn't difficult. Here's how:

1. Start with your baby's actual age in weeks (number of weeks since the date of birth).
2. Subtract the number of weeks your baby was preterm.

Corrected Age = Actual Age in weeks − weeks Preterm

$8\; weeks\; =\; 16\; weeks\; -\; (40-32)\; weeks$

For example, if your baby was born at 32 weeks' gestation, she was 8 weeks (2 months) preterm. If she is now 4 months old (16 weeks since birth), her corrected age is 2 months.

So, even if your baby is 4 months old, you should expect her to have the developmental skills of a 2-month-old term baby. It would be unrealistic to expect your baby to be ready to roll from her stomach to her back—a skill that often develops in term babies around the age of 4 months.

Why Corrected Age Matters

Corrected age helps track your premature baby's growth and development more accurately. For instance, if someone notices that your six-month-old isn't sitting up yet, you can explain that your baby was born three months early. So, when you look at their corrected age, they’re really only three months old and doing everything a three-month-old typically does.

This concept is most relevant during your child’s early years. It explains why some developmental milestones might seem delayed when, in fact, your baby is right on track for their corrected age.

Growth and Development Differences

All children grow and develop at their own pace, whether they were born early or full-term. Some areas of your preemie's development might catch up quickly, while others take a bit more time. Corrected age is especially important when looking at their growth and reaching milestones. Remember, your baby is just catching up on the growth they would have had in the womb.

Who to Tell About Your Baby’s Corrected Age

It’s a good idea to inform anyone who cares for or works with your child about their corrected age. This includes early childhood educators, preschool teachers, and health professionals. They’ll find it useful to know how many weeks early your child was born, which helps them understand your child’s development better.

If you’re ever concerned about learning or developmental issues once your child starts school, it will help their teachers to know that your child was born early.

Corrected Age and Playtime

You might notice that other babies of the same chronological age can do more during playtime than your premature baby. But if you think in terms of corrected age, you’ll see that your child is doing just fine for their age. Just like all children, your preemie will learn and grow from having a variety of experiences – reading together, trips to the park, and playing with other kids all contribute to their development.

Starting Child Care, Preschool, or School

Your child will likely start preschool and school based on their chronological age, not their corrected age. However, a few months can make a big difference in what children can do and what’s expected of them, especially in preschool. Some parents of premature children choose to delay starting school for a year if their child’s corrected age is just below the school entry age. This extra time can help your child catch up in growth and develop the social skills they need for preschool and school.

If your child is ever assessed for developmental delays, ask for the test results to be scored at both their corrected and chronological ages.

Celebrating Milestones

And a little tip – when it comes to celebrating your baby’s first birthday, go ahead and celebrate one year from when they were born, regardless of their corrected age.

Most health professionals recommend using corrected age until your child is about 2 years old. After that, all babies tend to hit milestones at their own pace, and you can just enjoy watching your little one grow and thrive.

Remember, Mama, you’re doing an amazing job. By understanding the differences in development and taking a mindful approach to care and communication, you can provide the best support for your baby’s growth and happiness.