Question
My baby was born prematurely at 34 weeks due to oligohydramnios and had a cesarean section. After an 8-day hospital stay in the pediatric ward, the baby was discharged in good health. I’ve been breastfeeding at home, but the baby only gained 1.2 pounds at one month. I’m worried if the baby’s weight is normal!
Answer
Premature babies are those born with a weight of no more than 2500 grams and a head circumference of no more than 33 centimeters. Premature babies weighing more than 2500 grams but with poorer organ function and adaptability than full-term infants still require special care. A low birth weight infant refers to a baby whose birth weight is lower than the 10th percentile of normal birth weight for gestational age or two standard deviations below the mean due to factors such as incomplete placental function.