Preemie Growth Charts

Preemie growth charts will help you keep track of your little one's preemie development. She came into the world a bit too early, so you'll want to celebrate every ounce she gains!

Watch your baby grow!

Preemie is the term commonly used for premature babies. A full term baby is typically born at around 40 weeks, and a baby born before 37 weeks is typically referred to as premature. For babies born before 26 weeks and/or weighing less than 1 ¾ pounds, the term micro preemie is commonly used. Preemies may spend weeks and even months in the hospital, depending upon the status of their health. Doctors will continue to monitor a baby born prematurely for as much as two years or more.

Your pediatrician will have specific growth charts that he will use to monitor your baby's development, but there are numerous preemie growth charts that can be downloaded on the Internet for you to use at home. Many of these growth charts are divided into categories, including the following:

• Gestational age
• Pounds and ounces
• Grams
• Length (inches)
• Length (centimeters and millimeters)

Some of these charts will be blank, so that you can fill in your baby's weight and other measurements, while others will have amounts filled. Keep in mind that any measurements and weights you see on these charts are only averages. These amounts can vary significantly from one baby to another. Babies develop at different rates, so don't be alarmed if your baby isn't developing on the same schedule that the chart suggests.

Be sure you understand how the measurements are taken as well. Many of these charts take the measurements of babies under 19 weeks by measuring from the crown to the rump. Then, after a baby has reached 20 weeks, he is measured from head to toe.

The time between doctor's visits can seem awfully long, especially when you are anxiously awaiting the news that your baby is growing and developing normally. You can use growth charts to track your baby's progress at home, but keep in mind that your measurements may not be as accurate as your pediatrician's. Still, you should be able to tell if your baby is growing even if you don't have totally accurate statistics.

To measure your baby, try the following:

• Length: For preemies, you can choose to measure from the top of her head to her bottom or to her feet. Lay her flat on a firm surface, and stretch her legs out as you hold a tape measure against her. This will be easier if you have someone to help you!
• Head Circumference: The best place to wrap a tape measure on your infant's head is just above his ears and his eyebrows. You want to measure the largest part of his head.
• Weight: With preemies, every ounce makes a difference, so using digital scales is your best bet.

The following Web sites offer preemie growth charts for you to download and/or refer to:

• Baby Ling offers several different types of growth charts for premature babies. These measure pounds and ounces, circumferences and lengths. The site also offers several conversion charts so that you can see pounds and ounces or grams and inches or centimeters.
• MedCalc offers a variety of growth charts for full-term babies, preemies, and Down Syndrome babies as well.
• The Center for Adoption Medicine includes growth charts for premature infants, and also has several charts that are separated by country, including the U.S., China, Guatemala, Russia, and Korea.
• Preemie Care has more growth charts that you can use with your premature baby.
• Preemie Club is a great Web site full of supportive resources and stories. You can download growth charts here as well.

Don't forget to share your growth charts with your pediatrician during your baby's checkups!

• Infant Car Seat Covers
• Elegant Dresses for Infants
• Baby Shower Cupcakes

• Baby Shower Cake Pictures
• Free Printable Baby Shower Games
• Baby Shower Invitation Wording
• Baby Shower Poems
• Baby Shower Sayings

• Premature Babies
• Preemie Development
• Preemie Birth Announcements
• Premature Birth Success Stories
• Preemie Calendar