Some of our wonderful forum members and mummies have been hard at work finding out what is the average time a premature baby will stay in hospital for depending on their gestation when born.

We had over 190 premature births recorded from 23 weekers up to 36 weekers to help figure out the average length of stay thanks to our forum members. The stats are very interesting and we hope will provide further information for parents with premature babies currently in hospital. These stats are not reflected by the weight of each premature baby, just the length of time that they spent in hospital. The averages would of course change for twins & triplets.

They are below;

Baby born at 23 weeks gestation – Average of 163 days (23+3 weeks) in hospital
Baby born at 24 weeks gestation – Average of 147 days (21 weeks) in hospital
Baby born at 25 weeks gestation – Average of 104 days (14+6 weeks) in hospital
Baby born at 26 weeks gestation – Average of 114 days (16+2weeks) in hospital
Baby born at 27 weeks gestation - Average of 89 days (12+5 weeks) in hospital
Baby born at 28 weeks gestation – Average of 74 days (10+4 weeks) in hospital
Baby born at 29 weeks gestation – Average of 60 days (8+4 weeks) in hospital
Baby born at 30 weeks gestation – Average of 51 days (7+2 weeks) in hospital
Baby born at 31 weeks gestation - Average of 39 days (5+4 weeks) in hospital
Baby born at 32 weeks gestation – Average of 36 days (5+1 weeks) in hospital
Baby born at 33 weeks gestation- Average of 21 days (3 weeks) in hospital
Baby born at 34 weeks gestation – Average of 18 days (2+4 weeks) in hospital
Baby born at 35 weeks gestation – Average of 14 days (2 weeks) in hospital
Baby born at 36 weeks gestation – Average of 11 days (1+4 weeks) in hospital

Remember that this is just an average from 190 premature births recorded and not an Australian average. Not all babies will fit within the above results. Each of the babies included in these results all had different complications at birth including IUGR (growth restriction) so they were born smaller than the average of their gestational age, dependant on oxygen for longer due to lung complications so their time in hospital greatly differed. Most babies come home on their due date however others sometimes stay a little longer depending on each child’s circumstances.

Does your premature baby fit within the above averages?

Please feel free to view the thread on the forum for further information.

Maxx born at 25 weeks

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The subject matter provided in these articles is strictly for informational purposes alone and should never be used in the place of a doctor’s advice. Please ALWAYS contact your doctor if you ever have questions or need advice in any area where medical advice is needed or medication is suggested.