What will my premature baby look like?

Your baby may have very mild symptoms of premature birth, or may have more-obvious complications.

Little scalp hair, but may have lots of lanugo (soft body hair)

Small size, with a disproportionately large head

Low body temperature, especially immediately after birth in the delivery room, due to a lack of stored body fat

Low body temperature, especially immediately after birth in the delivery room, due to a lack of stored body fat

Immature development: your baby might not be able to regulate its body temperature, breathing or heart rate.

Lack of reflexes for sucking and swallowing, leading to feeding difficulties

Thin, shiny, pink or red skin, able to see veins

Small Size

fat

little body fat

pink

pinkish-red skin