Short answer
A baby born before 37 weeks is premature (preterm). Many need help with breathing, warmth, feeding and infection, which a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) provides. WHO notes that simple care such as kangaroo mother care, early breastfeeding and CPAP for breathing problems greatly reduces deaths in preterm babies. Parents are an important part of the care team.
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- Dhruva Hospitals, Kadapa
How early is premature?
| Category | Born at |
|---|---|
| Extremely preterm | Less than 28 weeks |
| Very preterm | 28 to less than 32 weeks |
| Moderate to late preterm | 32 to less than 37 weeks |
WHO estimates that more than 1 in 10 babies worldwide is born preterm.
Why babies are born early
Most preterm births start on their own. Others are planned early because of a medical problem, such as high blood pressure or infection, when an early birth is safer for mother or baby. Twins, infections, diabetes and high blood pressure raise the chance, but often no cause is found.
If early birth is likely, doctors may give the mother steroid injections to help the baby’s lungs, and medicines to delay labour or prevent infection. It is safer to deliver in a hospital with a NICU, so the baby does not have to be moved after birth.
What happens in the NICU
- Keeping the baby warm
- Continuous monitoring of heart rate, breathing and oxygen levels
- Breathing support when needed: high-flow oxygen (HFNC), CPAP or a ventilator
- Feeding with breast milk, by tube at first if the baby cannot suck yet
- Phototherapy for jaundice, which is common in preterm babies
- Prompt treatment of infection
Kangaroo mother care and your role
In kangaroo mother care, the baby is held skin-to-skin on the mother’s or father’s chest for long periods. WHO recommends it for small and preterm babies, along with early breastfeeding, because it keeps babies warm, supports feeding and saves lives.
Express breast milk from the first day if your baby cannot feed directly. Ask the NICU team when you can hold your baby skin-to-skin.
After going home
- Keep follow-up appointments for growth, development, eye and hearing checks.
- Always put your baby to sleep on their back, in their own cot in your room. Do not share a bed with a baby born before 37 weeks or weighing less than 2.5 kg.
- For premature babies, follow safe-sleep advice for a year from the due date, not the birth date.
- Keep vaccinations on time, according to the baby’s actual birth date unless your doctor advises otherwise.
At Dhruva Hospitals
Our Level III NICU, led by paediatrician and neonatologist Dr. Sudarshan Reddy K, cares for preterm babies with continuous monitoring, HFNC and CPAP, ventilator support and phototherapy. The neonatal emergency team is available 24 hours a day.
Common questions
How long will my baby stay in the NICU?
It depends on how early the baby was born and how unwell they are. Babies usually go home once they breathe on their own, keep warm, feed well and gain weight steadily.
Will my premature baby catch up?
Many preterm babies grow and develop well. Some need extra support, which is why regular follow-up checks of growth, development, eyes and hearing are important.
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This article is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. In an emergency, call +91 90368 52311.