World Prematurity Day is marked on 17 November each year to raise awareness of babies born too soon, before 37 weeks of pregnancy. WHO estimates that about 13.4 million babies were born preterm in 2020, and complications of preterm birth are the leading cause of death in children under five. Simple care, especially warmth, breast milk, infection prevention and kangaroo mother care, saves many of these babies.
Categories of preterm birth
- Extremely preterm: less than 28 weeks
- Very preterm: 28 to less than 32 weeks
- Moderate to late preterm: 32 to less than 37 weeks
Caring for a premature baby at home
1. Keep baby warm
- Preterm babies lose heat quickly. Keep the room warm and draught-free.
- Continue kangaroo mother care (skin-to-skin on the chest) for as many hours as possible. Fathers and other family members can help.
- Use a hat and socks; check that the chest or back feels warm, not hot.
2. Feeding
- Breast milk is best. Small babies may need feeds every 2 to 3 hours, including at night.
- If baby is too weak to suck well, express milk and give it by cup or spoon as shown by your nurse or midwife.
- Watch for good feeding: baby swallows, has 6 or more wet nappies a day after the first week, and gains weight.
- Give vitamins or supplements only as prescribed.
3. Prevent infection
- Wash hands before touching baby
- Limit visitors, especially anyone with a cough or cold
- Keep the cord clean and dry
- Keep baby away from smoke
- Follow the vaccination schedule based on baby’s actual date of birth, unless your doctor advises otherwise
4. Safe sleep
- Place baby on their back to sleep, on a firm, flat surface
- Keep pillows, loose blankets and soft toys out of the cot
Danger signs: go to hospital immediately
- Not feeding well or not waking for feeds
- Fast breathing, chest indrawing or grunting
- Baby feels cold or very hot
- Convulsions (fits)
- Very sleepy or floppy
- Yellow skin, especially palms and soles, or yellow eyes
- Pauses in breathing or blue lips
- Pus or redness around the cord or eyes
Follow-up appointments
Preterm babies need regular checks for growth, eyes (retinopathy of prematurity), hearing, anaemia and development. Use the corrected age (age minus weeks born early) to judge milestones such as smiling and sitting, usually until about 2 years.
Supporting parents
Parents of premature babies often feel anxious, guilty or exhausted. Nurses and midwives can help by explaining care clearly, involving parents in the neonatal unit, screening mothers for postnatal depression, and connecting families with support groups.
Frequently asked questions
When is World Prematurity Day?
17 November every year. The colour for the day is purple.
What is corrected age?
Your baby’s age from birth minus the number of weeks they were born early. A 6-month-old born 2 months early has a corrected age of 4 months.
Can premature babies breastfeed?
Yes. Many start with expressed breast milk by tube or cup and move to breastfeeding as they grow stronger.
Related reading: Kangaroo mother care · Neonatal jaundice · Safe sleep for babies
Source: WHO preterm birth fact sheet. Updated 5 November 2026.