Babies are the most delicate thing in the world. That is why as a parent, you have to know how to truly care for them. Accordingly, premature babies are more fragile. I’m a premature baby and I remember my folks telling me how I forgot to breathe as a baby and that I had to be watched over with more attention. Premature babies usually suffer from complications which are either short-term or long-term. This is why as a parent of a “preemie” should know these things.

Preemies may suffer from learning disabilities. These disabilities might include coordination problems such as difficulty in writing, drawing, solving jigsaw puzzles, language problems such as difficulty in reading or remembering words, and cognition complications such as memory problems, difficulty in spatial relationships, or difficulty with abstract concepts.

Preemies could also suffer from behavioral problems. Be wary of these signs of a budding behavioral problem: overly aggressive playing and tantrums, stubbornness, hard to control loudness, short attention span, problems with behaving, or extreme shyness.

Preemies also have higher chances of suffering from vision problems such as Amblyopia, decreased color vision, Nystagmus, poor vision, smaller field of vision, and Strabismus. Be wary of the following symptoms of eye problems: constant eye movements, frequent crossing of eyes beyond 3 months of age, appearance of a cloudy or white texture on the pupil, abnormal head tilt, inability to fix eyes on a specific object, drooping eyelid, and oversensitivity to light.

When you notice any possible eye problems, consult with your pediatrician. Fortunately, such eye problems can be usually corrected with glasses, eye patches or contact lenses.

Preemies are also known to be prone to hearing problems, as well as dental. In the case of a hearing problem, therapists specializing on speech and hearing can help. With dental problems, preemies might suffer from delayed teething and abnormal bite, to name a few. There’s nothing to worry, though. Most dental problems can be fixed by a dentist.