Frequently Asked Questions

This is one of the most common and emotional questions parents ask. The honest answer? It depends—but the general expectation should be that your baby will stay in hospital until around their original due date (40 weeks gestation).

Many factors can affect the length of stay, including how premature your baby is, their weight, organ development (especially lungs and digestion), and whether any complications arise.

While each baby’s journey is unique, here’s a rough guide based on average lengths of stay by gestational age at birth:

Gestation   Average Length of Stay

23 weeks - 142 days (20 weeks + 2 days)

24 weeks - 133 days (19 weeks)

25 weeks - 108 days (15 weeks + 3 days)

26 weeks - 101 days (14 weeks + 3 days)

27 weeks - 80 days (11 weeks + 3 days)

28 weeks - 76 days (10 weeks + 6 days)

29 weeks - 75 days (10 weeks + 5 days)

30 weeks - 50 days (7 weeks + 1 day)

31 weeks - 49 days (7 weeks)

32 weeks - 36 days (5 weeks + 1 day)

33 weeks - 27 days (3 weeks + 6 days)

34 weeks - 21 days (3 weeks)

35 weeks - 16 days (2 weeks + 2 days)

36 weeks - 11 days (1 week + 4 days)

37 weeks - 22 days (3 weeks + 1 day)

38 weeks - 10 days (1 week + 3 days)

39 weeks - 18 days (2 weeks + 4 days)

40 weeks - 22 days (3 weeks + 1 day)

 There are many factors that influence a premature baby’s chance of survival. These include:

• Gestational age at birth
• Birth weight
• Organ maturity, especially the lungs
• Presence of congenital conditions or complications at birth
• Maternal health during pregnancy
• The baby’s gender (female babies often mature slightly faster in utero)
• The level of neonatal care available at the hospital
   

While that may sound like a lot, it’s important to know that outcomes for premature babies have improved dramatically in recent years. Advances in neonatal intensive care have given even extremely premature babies a good chance of survival.

That said, there is always some risk—especially the earlier a baby is born. Each additional week in the womb increases a baby’s chances of survival and reduces the likelihood of long-term complications.

If you're facing a premature birth or NICU stay, your care team will guide you with support, realistic expectations, and the best possible medical care.

Chronological age is your baby’s age based on their actual birth date. For example, if your baby was born 10 weeks ago, their chronological age is 10 weeks—even if they were born early.

Corrected age (also called adjusted age) takes into account that your baby was born prematurely. It’s used to assess your baby’s development more accurately.

👉 Corrected Age = Chronological Age – Weeks Premature

For example:
If your baby was born at 30 weeks (10 weeks early) and is now 10 weeks old, their corrected age is 0 weeks.

 Corrected age is used by doctors and therapists to evaluate things like:

• Growth milestones (smiling, sitting, crawling)
• Developmental assessments
• Feeding and sleep patterns

It ensures your baby is compared to others at the same stage of development even if they arrived early.

📌 You'll usually hear about corrected age until your baby turns 2 years old. After that, most preemies “catch up” to their peers.

 Yes, in most cases, you can but it depends on your baby’s condition. Many NICUs support kangaroo care (skin-to-skin holding) as soon as it's safe. Even if you can’t hold your baby right away, your presence, voice, and gentle touch are powerful forms of bonding. 

Yes. Many NICUs encourage you to pump breast milk, even if your baby can’t feed orally yet. It can be given via feeding tube and offers vital immune protection. Lactation support is often available to help you get started and later transition to breastfeeding. 

Every baby is different. Some preemies may face challenges, while others catch up quickly. Factors like how early your baby was born, any complications, and organ maturity all play a role. Ongoing developmental follow-ups help catch and treat issues early. 

You’re already helping just by being there. Other ways include:

• Pumping breast milk
• Practicing kangaroo care
• Talking, reading, or singing to your baby
• Keeping a journal of milestones
• Asking questions and being part of the care team