While premature babies often need state-of-the-art medical care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), there’s one special, simple service that only parents and caregivers can provide: kangaroo care, or skin-to-skin contact. This well-studied method of closely snuggling newborns offers multiple benefits to both premature and full-term infants — and it’s free!| What to Expect
If you’re faced with the possibility of giving birth very early, you’re likely filled with questions and concerns about fetal viability.| What to Expect
First, the good news: Advances in medical care mean the outcomes for preterm babies have improved in recent decades, and even the smallest of premature babies have a greater chance of surviving and living healthy lives.| What to Expect
Tired of explaining your preemie daughter’s size and age to passersby? Indeed, premature infants are smaller in terms of length and weight, but they do put on the ounces and pounds, just like their full-term peers. And keep in mind that the differences between on-time and premature babies are most pronounced in the first year, with the gaps generally closing by age 2 or 2 1/2.| What to Expect
Being a new parent is already a lot to handle, but when a baby is born early, the job comes with its own set of special issues. But thankfully, due to a myriad of medical advances, even some of the tiniest premature babies born after 28 weeks have a good chance of surviving— and thriving. | What to Expect
