Near-Term Babies Have Special Health Needs

Though not as frail as tiny preemies, babies born three to six weeks early are still at greater risk than full-term newborns for potentially serious health problems.

Near-term infants, who account for around 6 percent of all well-baby births, are more likely to experience breathing problems, feeding problems, body temperature instability and jaundice.

“They have not had the benefit of those extra days of incubation within their mother’s womb,” says Karen Peddicord, director of research, education and publications for the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). “Because of this, they are at risk for a certain set of complications.”

Yet near-term babies don’t always get the special consideration that they need. “Despite being born early, these babies are all too frequently treated in the same manner as full-term newborns,” Peddicord says. “It is important for parents to understand that these near-term infants may face different and more serious health problems than most full-term infants, and to be alert for the special situations or needs that may arise because a baby is just a few weeks early.”

Specifically, parents of near-term infants should pay closer attention to: