Caring for a premature baby

Hi,
Our daughter was born 1.6 k"g (less than 4 pounds).  Based on our experience my advise is:
1.  Always remember that she is premature.
2.  That means that she will develope slower than normal.
3.  So never compare your daughter to others.
4.  She might be a bit more sensitive (not necessarily).
5.  Treat her as a normal child.....  
6.  At most cases she will catch up in size as well.
My wife was also born less than 4 pounds and if you saw her today you would never believe she was born premature.
I wish you'll grow your daughter with good health and that she'll bring you a lot of joy, happiness, and love.

Our son was born 8 weeks early and weighed 4 lbs 1.8 oz.  He was in the hospital for 8 weeks, but never needed a respirator.  One of our worries was that he would contract RSV, which is a respiratory disease.  We did not take him out of the house for one year (except for Dr appts.) and we did not allow a lot of people to come over to the house to hold him.  Developmentally, he was behind until about 2 years old, and now he is a normal little boy. 

Hi, my son was born at 32 1/2 weeks, he weighed 5lbs 2 oz, (i think because I had gestational diabetes) so he was a little larger then most babies born at that time, he had to stay in the hospital for 2 weeks, because he could not suck on his own and had to have a feeding tube... He is 9 months old now, and he is starting to crawl. Developmentally all mental things he was right on time, and caught up, he smiled within the first 3 weeks (real smiles not sleep smiles) and started baby babbaling in the first month giggled/laughed when he was about 2 months. Motor skills- hes a little slower so as the person above said you have to be patient and not compare him to others, all baby books and websites say thatyour premature baby will deveop at the adjusted age(maybe even a little later), not at the actual birth age.

I bring him out everywhere and always have except for the first 2 months we stayed in because i was very worried. My son has never even had a cold not even a runny nose! and like i said before he is now 9 months old, has 2 teeth and weighs 23 lbs and is 2ft and soem-odd inches long!!

I think every baby is different and has different trials and tribulations, but for the most part, relax and just enjoy your baby, if different situations come up, you will know what to do, because your parental instincts will come out

P.S we are lucky because we get to see our babies earlier then most and we get to enjoy them being babies for longer! Enjoy because this last 9 months has flown by!

Oh wow, i just noticed u wrote this question 3 years ago!! How is your child now? maybe u have some tips for me since u have 2 years or more of experience with a premie!!