11/10/2025
✨ Let's Talk "Adjusted Age": A Key for Preemie Families ✨
When you have a premature baby, there are two important ages to keep track of: their actual age and their adjusted age (also called corrected age). Understanding the difference is crucial for tracking milestones and, most importantly, for your peace of mind!
🗓️ Actual Age (Chronological Age): The time that has passed since your baby was born (the age we use for birthdays and vaccine schedules).
📉 Adjusted Age (Corrected Age): The age based on their original due date. This is the age healthcare providers use to track their development and milestones.
💡 Why Does It Matter?
Premature babies miss valuable time developing in the womb. Their little bodies and nervous systems need time to catch up. Using their adjusted age gives a more accurate picture of where they should be developmentally and sets realistic expectations.
Here's how to calculate it:
Start with your baby's actual age and subtract the number of weeks/months they were born early.
Example: If your baby is 6 months old (actual age) but was born 12 weeks early (3 months early), their adjusted age is 3 months.
By their adjusted age, they are right on track!
Milestones like smiling, sitting up, crawling, or walking are all based on the adjusted age for preemies. Pediatricians typically use adjusted age until the child is around 2 years old, by which time most preemies have caught up to their full-term peers.
💜 Don't let comparison steal your joy. Celebrate every single milestone, no matter when it happens. Give your little fighter the grace of their adjusted age.
