More than 9 out of 10 premature babies survive and develop normally, thanks to medical advances. Here's what to expect when you have your baby before 37 weeks.

Preterm labour is when you go in to labour before your pregnancy reaches 37 weeks.

Learn about the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where premature or very ill babies are admitted for highly specialised hospital care.

Some babies are premature, others are born with a condition that may make their life different in some ways, at least for a time. These babies need special care in hospital.

This article is based on our booklet 'Breastfeeding Your Premature Baby'. The booklet contains valuable information from research on breastfeeding premature infants, as well as experiences of other parents of premature babies to inform, reassure and encourage you. If your baby has been, or is about to be born prematurely, we recommend that you purchase the booklet, which will provide much more information to help you deal with the challenges of breastfeeding and parenting your baby.

Miracle Babies Foundation NurtureGroups are free play and support groups for families who have experienced the birth of a premature or sick newborn

NurtureTime in-hospital support is facilitated by caring parents who themselves have experienced the birth of premature or sick newborn

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), or cot death, is when an apparently healthy baby dies for no obvious reason.

betterhealth.vic.gov.au