There are a number of ways that prematurity can affect children in the early stages of growth, while in the nursery setting, at a daycare or in the preschool.  These children may have poor trunk stability, strength and coordination, resulting in delayed rolling, sitting, crawling, walking, talking and hand use.  Feeding and communication may also be compromised in preterm infants.  Inefficient breast or bottle feeding may result in poor weight gain and a slowed transition to textured food with a limited diet or picky eating.  There children may also display a decreased amount and variety of babbling and delayed use of single words.

Child and Family Development is a multi-disciplinary pediatric therapy clinic in Charlotte, North Carolina.