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Premature Baby Milestones: When Will My Premature Baby Smile, Sit, Crawl and Walk? A Month-by-Month Guide for Indian Parents (2026)

Care for Baby

Written by - Mylo BabyLast updated: Oct 5, 2026

Premature Baby Milestones: When Will My Premature Baby Smile, Sit, Crawl and Walk? A Month-by-Month Guide for Indian Parents (2026)

24 min

Quick Answer

A premature baby is a baby born before 37 weeks of pregnancy, usually in the 7th or 8th month. When checking milestones, count your baby's age from the due date, not the birth date. For example, a baby born 2 months early who is now 6 months old should be doing what a 4-month-old does. Most premature babies catch up by 2 to 3 years.

What Is a Premature Baby, and How Early Is Early?

Short answer: A premature baby is a baby born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. The earlier a baby is born, the more care and time they usually need to catch up.

A full pregnancy is about 9 months, or 40 weeks. Any baby born before 37 weeks is premature. Here is how the month of pregnancy matches up with weeks:

Born In	Weeks of Pregnancy	How Early	What Doctors Call It
Before the 7th month	Before 28 weeks	More than 3 months early	Extremely premature
7th month	About 28 to 31 weeks	About 2 to 3 months early	Very premature
8th month	About 32 to 35 weeks	About 1 to 2 months early	Moderately or late premature
Early 9th month	About 36 weeks	About 1 month early	Late premature
9th month, from 37 weeks	37 to 40 weeks	On time	Full term

Families count pregnancy months a little differently, so ask your doctor for the exact week your baby was born. It's written in your discharge summary.

Your Baby's "Milestone Age" at a Glance

Find the week your baby was born, then read across to see which age to use for milestones.

Born At	Born About	At 3 Months Real Age	At 6 Months Real Age	At 12 Months Real Age
28 weeks (start of 7th month)	3 months early	Like a newborn (due date)	Like a 3-month-old	Like a 9-month-old
30 weeks (7th month)	2.5 months early	Like a 3-week-old	Like a 3.5-month-old	Like a 9.5-month-old
32 weeks (start of 8th month)	2 months early	Like a 1-month-old	Like a 4-month-old	Like a 10-month-old
34 weeks (8th month)	1.5 months early	Like a 1.5-month-old	Like a 4.5-month-old	Like a 10.5-month-old
36 weeks (early 9th month)	1 month early	Like a 2-month-old	Like a 5-month-old	Like an 11-month-old

Key Facts Every Parent Should Know

Before 37 weeks: The WHO definition of a premature (preterm) birth
13.4 million: Babies born premature worldwide in 2020, about 1 in 10 births (WHO)
About 3 million: Premature births in India in 2020, the highest number of any country (WHO and UNICEF estimates)
Until about 2 years: How long doctors count your baby's age from the due date for milestones and growth (AAP)
Birth date for vaccines: Premature babies get vaccines on the same schedule as full-term babies, counted from the day they were born (AAP)
Under 2 kg: The WHO recommends kangaroo mother care (skin-to-skin) for babies under 2 kg, started as soon as possible after birth
By 2 to 3 years: When most premature babies catch up with other children of the same age

Why Should I Count My Baby's Age From the Due Date?

Short answer: Because a baby born 2 months early has had 2 months less time to grow inside the womb. Counting from the due date gives you a fair way to check their progress. Doctors call this the corrected age or adjusted age.

Think of it this way: a baby born in the 8th month (2 months early) who is now 4 months old has really had only 2 months of growing time compared with a baby born on time. Expecting them to do what a 4-month-old does would be unfair.

Term	What It Means	Used For
Real age (actual age)	Age counted from the day your baby was born	Vaccines, birthdays, official documents
Milestone age (corrected age)	Real age minus the months or weeks born early	Milestones, growth charts, development checks
Weeks of pregnancy at birth (gestational age)	How far along the pregnancy was when your baby was born	Describing how early your baby came

For what counts as a premature birth and the different types, read what counts as a premature baby.

How Old Is My Premature Baby, Really?

Short answer: Take your baby's real age and subtract how early they were born. The answer is the age to use for milestones.

Milestone age = Real age minus how early your baby was born

The easy way (in months)

How early was your baby? Born in the 8th month? That's about 1 to 2 months early. Born in the 7th month? About 2 to 3 months early.
How old is your baby now? Say 6 months.
Subtract. 6 months minus 2 months = about 4 months. Use the 4-month milestones.

The exact way (in weeks)

Weeks born early: 40 minus the week your baby was born. Born at 31 weeks? 40 minus 31 = 9 weeks early.
Your baby's real age in weeks: Say 20 weeks.
Subtract: 20 minus 9 = 11 weeks, or about 2.5 months.

Examples

Baby	Born In	Real Age	Milestone Age
Aarav	Early 9th month (36 weeks, 1 month early)	4 months	About 3 months
Meera	8th month (32 weeks, 2 months early)	6 months	About 4 months
Kabir	7th month (28 weeks, 3 months early)	9 months	About 6 months
Anaya	8th month (34 weeks, 1.5 months early)	12 months	About 10.5 months

Tip: Write your baby's milestone age next to their real age in your baby diary or the Mother and Child Protection (MCP) card, so it's easy to share at every check-up.

How Long Do I Count From the Due Date?

Short answer: Most doctors do this until your child is about 2 years old. After that, the small difference matters much less, and most premature babies have caught up.

Born In	Typical Catch-Up
Early 9th month or late 8th month (34 to 36 weeks)	Often matches full-term babies within the first year, though some need a little longer
8th month (32 to 33 weeks)	Usually catches up by 1.5 to 2 years
7th month (28 to 31 weeks)	Usually catches up by 2 years; some skills may take longer
Before the 7th month (before 28 weeks)	May need extra follow-up until 2 to 3 years

Your pediatrician may stop counting from the due date earlier if your baby has fully caught up, or continue a little longer if your baby was born very early.

Premature Baby Milestones Chart

Short answer: Premature babies reach the same milestones as other babies, in the same order. They just reach them by their milestone age (age from the due date). Use this chart with your baby's milestone age, not their real age.

Milestone Age	Movement	Social and Emotional	Speech and Sounds	Thinking and Learning
2 months	Holds head up during tummy time, moves both arms and legs	Calms down when spoken to or picked up, smiles when you talk	Makes cooing sounds	Watches you as you move, looks at a toy for a few seconds
4 months	Holds head steady without support when held, pushes up on elbows during tummy time, brings hands to mouth	Smiles to get your attention, chuckles	Makes sounds like "oooo" and "aahh"	Looks at hands with interest, opens mouth when hungry
6 months	Rolls from tummy to back, pushes up with straight arms, leans on hands when sitting	Knows familiar people, laughs	Takes turns making sounds with you, blows "raspberries"	Puts things in mouth, reaches for toys
9 months	Sits without support, gets into sitting position alone, moves things from one hand to the other	Shy or fussy with strangers, reacts when you leave	Makes sounds like "mamama" and "bababa", lifts arms to be picked up	Looks for objects when dropped out of sight
12 months	Pulls up to stand, walks holding on to furniture	Plays games like peek-a-boo and "chhupa-chhupi"	Waves bye-bye, calls a parent "mama" or "dada"	Puts something into a container, looks for hidden toys
15 months	Takes a few steps alone	Shows you a toy they like, claps when excited	Tries to say 1 or 2 words besides "mama" and "dada"	Copies other children while playing, stacks 2 small objects
18 months	Walks alone, climbs on and off a sofa	Moves away from you but checks you are close by	Tries to say 3 or more words, follows simple 1-step directions	Copies chores like sweeping, plays with toys in simple ways
24 months	Kicks a ball, runs, walks up a few stairs	Notices when others are hurt or upset	Says at least 2 words together, like "more milk"	Holds something in one hand while using the other

Based on the CDC and AAP developmental milestones, read using age from the due date.

When will my premature baby smile, sit, crawl and walk?

Milestone	Milestone Age	Real Age if Born in 8th Month (about 2 months early)	Real Age if Born in 7th Month (about 3 months early)
First social smile	6 to 8 weeks	About 3.5 to 4 months	About 4.5 to 5 months
Holds head steady	About 4 months	About 6 months	About 7 months
Rolls over	About 6 months	About 8 months	About 9 months
Sits without support	About 9 months	About 11 months	About 12 months
Walks holding furniture	About 12 months	About 14 months	About 15 months
Walks alone	12 to 18 months	About 14 to 20 months	About 15 to 21 months

These are typical ages. Babies born at the end of the 8th month will be closer to full-term babies.

Example: Meera was born in the 8th month and is now 6 months old. Her milestone age is about 4 months. If she holds her head steady and smiles to get attention but isn't rolling over yet, she is right on track. Rolling is a 6-month milestone.

How Much Does a Premature Baby Weigh at Birth?

Short answer: Babies born in the 7th month usually weigh about 1 to 1.7 kg at birth, and babies born in the 8th month about 1.7 to 2.5 kg. Every baby is different, and what matters most is steady weight gain.

Born At	Average Birth Weight (Approximate)
28 weeks (start of 7th month)	About 1.1 kg
30 weeks (7th month)	About 1.4 kg
32 weeks (start of 8th month)	About 1.7 kg
34 weeks (8th month)	About 2.2 kg
36 weeks (early 9th month)	About 2.6 kg

Approximate middle values from preterm growth charts. Many healthy babies weigh more or less than this.

How do doctors track a premature baby's growth?

In the NICU and soon after, doctors use special preterm growth charts (such as Fenton or INTERGROWTH-21st). After your baby reaches their due date, most doctors switch to the standard WHO growth charts and plot your baby by their milestone age.

Stage	Growth Chart Usually Used
Birth to around due date	Preterm growth charts (Fenton or INTERGROWTH-21st)
After the due date up to 2 years	WHO growth charts, using age from the due date
After 2 years	WHO or IAP growth charts, using real age

What matters most is steady growth along a curve, not one exact number. Many premature babies move upward across the growth curves in the first months. This is called catch-up growth.

Why Do Premature Babies Reach Milestones Later?

Short answer: Premature babies miss the last weeks of growth in the womb, when the brain, muscles and lungs develop fast. Many also spend time in the NICU, which can slow down movement and feeding practice.

Reason	How It Affects Development
Less time in the womb	The brain and muscles are less mature at birth
Low muscle tone at first	Babies may feel floppy and take longer to hold up their head
Time in the NICU	Less floor time, less tummy time, more medical care
Breathing support or oxygen	Babies get tired faster and have less energy for practice
Feeding challenges	Sucking, swallowing and breathing together takes time to learn
Illness or infections	Can pause progress for a while

This is why comparing a premature baby with a full-term baby born on the same date isn't fair. Compare your baby only with babies of the same milestone age.

When Do I Use Real Age and When Do I Use Milestone Age?

Short answer: Use milestone age (from the due date) for milestones, growth and development. Use real age (from the birth date) for vaccines.

Use Milestone Age For	Use Real Age For
Developmental milestones	Vaccines (unless your doctor advises otherwise for a specific vaccine)
Growth charts after the due date	Birthdays and celebrations
Expecting sleep patterns	Official documents
Choosing toys and activities
Deciding when to start solid foods, with your doctor's advice

Why are vaccines given by real age?

A premature baby needs protection from infections from birth, and vaccines work well in premature babies. The AAP advises that they get vaccines at the same real age as full-term babies. Some babies who weigh very little at birth may get an extra or delayed dose of hepatitis B, so follow your pediatrician's schedule.

When should a premature baby start solid foods?

Most premature babies are ready for solids around 6 months milestone age, though some are ready a little earlier. For a baby born in the 8th month, that is usually around 7 to 8 months real age. Look for signs of readiness: good head control, sitting with support, and interest in food. Always check with your pediatrician first, especially if your baby had feeding difficulties or reflux in the NICU.

What Activities Help Premature Babies Develop?

Short answer: Skin-to-skin contact, tummy time, talking, singing and floor play help premature babies develop. Choose activities by milestone age and follow your baby's cues, because premature babies tire easily.

Milestone Age	Best Activities	Tips for Premature Babies
Before due date (at home or in the NICU)	Kangaroo mother care, gentle talking and humming, gentle touch	Keep the room calm and dim; premature babies get overwhelmed easily
0 to 3 months	Short tummy time sessions on your chest, face-to-face talking, black and white pictures	Start with 1 to 2 minutes at a time, a few times a day
3 to 6 months	Tummy time on a mat, reaching for toys, rolling games, singing rhymes	Stop if your baby yawns, looks away, hiccups or sneezes a lot (signs of tiredness)
6 to 9 months	Supported sitting, passing toys hand to hand, peek-a-boo, reading picture books	Let them practise on the floor, not in a walker or bouncer
9 to 12 months	Crawling games, pulling up on a sofa, stacking cups, naming things around the house	Praise every small step
12 to 24 months	Push toys, walking barefoot indoors, simple ball games, talking about daily routines	Follow the full-term milestone guides using milestone age

Kangaroo mother care (KMC)

KMC means holding your baby skin-to-skin on your chest, dressed only in a nappy and cap. The WHO recommends it for babies under 2 kg, started as soon as possible after birth. KMC helps babies stay warm, feed better, sleep better and gain weight. Fathers, grandmothers and other family members can do it too. Read more about kangaroo mother care.

Signs your baby needs a break

Premature babies can get overwhelmed faster than full-term babies. Watch for:

Yawning, sneezing or hiccupping a lot
Looking away or closing their eyes
Spreading their fingers wide or arching their back
Changes in skin colour or breathing

If you see these, pause and let your baby rest.

When Should I Worry About My Premature Baby's Development?

Short answer: Talk to your doctor if your baby is missing milestones even after you count from the due date, loses skills they had, seems very floppy or very stiff, uses one side of the body more than the other, or doesn't respond to sounds or faces. Early help works best.

Milestone Age	Red Flag
Any age	Loses skills they once had (see a doctor right away)
Any age	Very floppy or very stiff body
Any age	Uses one arm or leg much more than the other
Any age	Doesn't startle at loud sounds or turn to voices
2 to 3 months	Doesn't follow your face with their eyes, no social smile
4 months	Can't hold head steady when held upright
6 months	Doesn't reach for toys, doesn't make sounds, can't roll at all
9 months	Can't sit even with support, doesn't babble
12 months	Can't stand with support, doesn't wave or point, no babbling
18 months	Not walking alone, no words
24 months	Doesn't put 2 words together, doesn't follow simple instructions

Why premature babies need regular follow-up

Babies born early, especially in the 7th month or earlier (before 32 weeks) or under 1.5 kg, have a higher chance of:

Cerebral palsy and other movement problems
Vision problems (retinopathy of prematurity, or ROP)
Hearing loss
Speech and language delays
Learning and attention difficulties later in childhood

Most premature babies don't have these problems, but regular follow-up catches them early, when treatment works best. Babies born in the late 8th or early 9th month (34 to 36 weeks) also need follow-up. They are often treated like full-term babies, but they can still have feeding, jaundice and development challenges.

Check-ups every premature baby needs

Check	When	Why
Eye check for ROP	Usually within the first 4 weeks, for babies born before 34 weeks or under 2 kg (as per Indian guidelines)	ROP can cause blindness if missed; treatment works best early
Hearing screening	Before discharge or soon after	Early hearing support helps speech
Growth and development check	At every vaccine visit and at follow-up clinic visits	Catches delays early
Development assessment	Often at 3 to 4, 6 to 9, 12 and 18 to 24 months milestone age	Checks movement, vision, hearing, speech and learning

Who Can Help?

Professional	How They Help
Pediatrician or neonatologist	Regular check-ups, growth tracking, referrals
High-risk newborn follow-up clinic	Planned developmental checks for babies who were in the NICU
Pediatric physiotherapist	Helps with head control, sitting, crawling and walking
Occupational therapist	Helps with feeding, hand skills and sensory issues
Speech therapist	Helps with feeding and early language
Pediatric ophthalmologist	ROP screening and vision checks
Audiologist	Hearing tests

Free government support in India

Service	What It Offers
Special Newborn Care Units (SNCU) and KMC units	Free newborn intensive care and kangaroo care support in government hospitals
Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK)	Free treatment and transport for sick infants up to 1 year in government facilities
Home Based Newborn Care (HBNC) and Home Based Young Child Care (HBYC)	ASHA home visits to check feeding, weight, warmth and danger signs
Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK)	Free screening for birth defects, developmental delays and disabilities
District Early Intervention Centres (DEIC)	Free assessment, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy
Anganwadi centres	Growth monitoring, nutrition support and referrals

Emergency numbers: Dial 108 for an ambulance or 112 for emergencies. In many states, 102 provides free transport for mothers and sick infants.

What Should Indian Parents Keep in Mind?

Short answer: Check milestones by age from the due date, never miss a follow-up visit, protect your baby from infections in the first months, and don't compare your baby with cousins or neighbours' children.

Common Practice	Better Approach
Comparing with cousins born around the same date	Compare only by milestone age, and only with your own baby's progress
Many visitors coming to see the baby	Limit visitors in the first months; everyone washes hands before holding the baby
Ghutti, honey or gripe water	Only breast milk (or formula your doctor advises) until about 6 months milestone age
Heavy oil massage with oil in the nose or ears	Ask your doctor before starting massage; never put oil in the nose, ears or eyes
Tight swaddling or keeping the baby in a hammock (jhula) all day	Daily floor time and tummy time when awake
Using a baby walker to "catch up"	Floor play, push toys and cruising along furniture
Skipping follow-up visits once the baby "looks fine"	Go to every follow-up visit, including eye and hearing checks
Delaying vaccines because the baby is small	Give vaccines on time by real age, unless your doctor says otherwise

A note for parents

Having a premature baby can feel overwhelming, and many parents feel worried, guilty or exhausted. These feelings are normal. Talk to your doctor, your family or other parents of premature babies, and ask for help if you feel low for more than 2 weeks. Taking care of yourself helps you take care of your baby. Read about life in the NICU.

Myths vs Facts About Premature Babies

Myth	Fact
"A baby born in the 7th month of pregnancy survives better than one born in the 8th month"	This is an old myth. Every extra week in the womb helps, so babies born in the 8th month usually do better than babies born in the 7th month.
"Premature babies will always be behind other children"	Most premature babies catch up by 2 to 3 years
"Count from the due date for vaccines too"	Vaccines are given by real age, from the birth date (AAP)
"If my baby is behind for their real age, something is wrong"	Check milestones by age from the due date; being behind on real age is expected
"Babies born in the early 9th month are the same as full-term babies"	Babies born at 34 to 36 weeks still need extra care and follow-up
"A baby walker will help my premature baby catch up"	Walkers cause injuries and don't help walking (AAP)
"Small babies need heavy oil massage to grow"	Growth depends on feeding, warmth and health. Ask your doctor about safe massage.
"Only the mother can do kangaroo care"	Any healthy family member can do skin-to-skin care
"My baby looks healthy, so we can skip the eye check"	ROP has no visible signs early on, so screening is essential

Frequently Asked Questions About Premature Baby Milestones

How do I know my premature baby's milestone age?
Take your baby's real age and subtract how early they were born. A baby born 2 months early who is now 6 months old has a milestone age of about 4 months.

What is corrected age?
It's the doctor's term for your baby's age counted from their due date instead of their birth date. It's the same as the milestone age in this article.

Corrected age kya hota hai? (Hinglish)
Corrected age woh umar hai jo aapke bachche ki due date se gini jaati hai, janam ki date se nahi. Bachche ki asli umar mein se utne mahine ghata dijiye jitne mahine pehle woh paida hua tha. Jaise, agar bachcha 8ve mahine mein, yaani lagbhag 2 mahine pehle, paida hua aur abhi 6 mahine ka hai, toh uski corrected age lagbhag 4 mahine hai.

8 mahine mein paida hua bachcha kab baithega? (Hinglish)
8ve mahine mein paida hua bachcha lagbhag 1 se 2 mahine pehle aata hai. Zyada tar bachche due date se gine to lagbhag 9 mahine mein bina sahare baithte hain, yaani asli umar ke hisaab se lagbhag 10 se 11 mahine mein. Agar is umar tak bhi bachcha sahare ke saath bhi nahi baith pata, toh doctor se milein.

Will my baby born in the 7th month of pregnancy grow up normal?
Most babies born in the 7th month grow up healthy and catch up with other children by about 2 years, with good care and regular follow-up. They do have a higher chance of some problems with vision, hearing or development, so never miss their check-ups.

Is a baby born in the 8th month of pregnancy premature?
Yes. A baby born in the 8th month (about 32 to 35 weeks) is premature, because full term starts at 37 weeks. Most 8th month babies do very well, but they still need extra care and follow-up.

Until what age should I count from the due date?
Most doctors do this until about 2 years. For babies born very early, your doctor may continue a little longer.

Do premature babies catch up?
Yes, most do. Most premature babies catch up with full-term children by 2 to 3 years. Babies born very early may need more time and support.

Are vaccines given by real age or milestone age?
By real age, counted from the birth date. Premature babies get vaccines on the same schedule as full-term babies.

When will my premature baby smile?
Most premature babies give their first social smile around 6 to 8 weeks after their due date. For a baby born in the 8th month, that's about 3.5 to 4 months after birth.

When will my premature baby walk?
Most premature babies walk alone between 12 and 18 months, counted from the due date. For a baby born about 2 months early, that's about 14 to 20 months after birth. See your doctor if your baby isn't walking by 18 months counted from the due date.

Mera bachcha 7 mahine ka hai par abhi baith nahi pata, kya yeh normal hai? (Hinglish)
Agar aapka bachcha premature tha, toh pehle uski corrected age nikaliye. Jaise, agar woh 2 mahine pehle paida hua tha, toh uski corrected age 5 mahine hai, aur 5 mahine ke bachche ka bina sahare baithna zaroori nahi hai. Agar corrected age ke hisaab se bhi milestone miss ho raha hai, toh doctor se zaroor milein.

When should a premature baby start solid food?
Usually around 6 months milestone age, when your baby shows signs of readiness. For a baby born about 2 months early, that's usually around 7 to 8 months after birth. Always check with your pediatrician first.

When should I worry about my premature baby's development?
If your baby misses milestones even after you count from the due date, loses skills, seems very floppy or stiff, uses one side more than the other, or doesn't respond to sounds or faces, speak to your pediatrician.

References

World Health Organization (WHO). "Preterm Birth" (fact sheet). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/preterm-birth
World Health Organization (WHO). "WHO Recommendations for Care of the Preterm or Low-Birth-Weight Infant" (2022). https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240058262
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). "Corrected Age for Preemies." HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/preemie/Pages/Corrected-Age-For-Preemies.aspx
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). "Your Preemie's Growth and Developmental Milestones." HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/preemie/Pages/Preemie-Milestones.aspx
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "CDC's Developmental Milestones." https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones/index.html
Sydney Children's Hospitals Network. "Corrected Age and Milestones." https://www.schn.health.nsw.gov.au/kids-health-hub/growth-and-development/premature-babies/corrected-age-and-milestones
Pathways.org. "Adjusting Age for Prematurity." https://pathways.org/adjusting-age-for-prematurity
Healthdirect Australia, Pregnancy, Birth and Baby. "Growth and Development for Premature Babies." https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/growth-and-development-for-premature-babies
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). "Where We Stand: Baby Walkers." HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Where-We-Stand-Baby-Walkers.aspx

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for information only and does not replace professional medical advice. Every premature baby is different, and your baby's care team knows their health history best. If you have concerns about your baby's growth, development, feeding, vision or hearing, please consult your pediatrician or neonatologist.

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