Premature babies

A premature (preterm) baby is born before 37 weeks of gestation. Because they arrive earlier than expected, their nervous system, muscles, digestion, and overall development may still be immature.

Premature infants may require specialized medical care in a NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) and often need gentle, carefully adapted touch and handling during early development.

Common considerations in premature infants include:

- Low or fluctuating muscle tone

- Increased sensitivity to touch, sound, and light

- Feeding and digestion challenges

- Fatigue and limited energy reserves

- Immature nervous system regulation

Infant massage is not a medical treatment for prematurity, but it can be used as a supportive, developmentally appropriate intervention when approved by the infant’s healthcare team.

When introduced appropriately, infant massage may support:

● Positive sensory development

● Regulation of the nervous system

● Parent-infant bonding, especially after NICU separation

● Weight gain and feeding tolerance (in some clinical settings)

● Improved sleep-wake regulation

● Reduced stress responses