Newborn swaddled in hospital bassinet with skin probe
Baby Health

Late Preterm Babies: Why Babies Born at 34 to 36 Weeks Need Extra Care

June 22, 2026

Key takeaways: Late preterm babies are born between 34 0/7 and 36 6/7 weeks. They’re at higher risk for feeding problems, low blood sugar, jaundice, temperature instability, and breathing issues. Close monitoring, feeding support, and early follow-up help.

Late preterm babies are often close in size to full-term babies, which can make them seem ready for everything. But their brains, lungs, and digestive systems are still maturing. They need extra attention.

Common Challenges

Feeding:

  • Sleepy, tire quickly, and may have a weaker suck.
  • May not wake for feeds on their own.
  • Higher risk of poor weight gain and dehydration.

Jaundice:

  • More likely to develop jaundice and to have higher bilirubin levels, and for longer.

Temperature:

  • Less body fat and more difficulty staying warm.

Blood sugar:

  • Higher risk of low blood sugar after birth.

Breathing:

  • More likely to have breathing problems, including transient tachypnea and apnea (pauses in breathing).

Infection:

  • More vulnerable to infections.

From the author

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In the Hospital

  • Blood sugar checks.
  • Temperature monitoring and skin-to-skin.
  • Feeding plans with close tracking.
  • Bilirubin checks.
  • A car seat test before discharge, recommended by the AAP for preterm babies.

Feeding a Late Preterm Baby

  • Wake your baby to feed at least every 3 hours, or more often as advised.
  • Watch for active feeding: sucking and swallowing, not just latching and sleeping.
  • Breast compression can help keep milk flowing.
  • Pump or hand express after feeds in the early days to protect your supply and give extra milk to your baby if needed.
  • Feeding plans may include supplementation with expressed milk, donor milk, or formula.
  • Work with a lactation consultant experienced with preterm babies.

After Discharge

  • Follow-up visit within 1 to 2 days after discharge, often sooner than term babies.
  • Frequent weight checks.
  • Watch closely for jaundice, poor feeding, and dehydration.
  • Use adjusted age for developmental milestones.
  • Ask about RSV protection.

Call your baby’s doctor if your baby: feeds fewer than 8 times a day, has fewer wet diapers than expected, looks more yellow, is very sleepy or hard to wake, has a temperature below 97.5°F or of 100.4°F or higher, or has trouble breathing.

The Bottom Line

Late preterm babies may look ready, but they need extra support with feeding, warmth, and monitoring. Close follow-up helps them thrive.

Want more support for your baby’s first year? My book, From First Breath to First Birthday, is available on Amazon.

Related Articles

Sources

  1. Engle WA, Tomashek KM, Wallman C; Committee on Fetus and Newborn. “Late-preterm” infants: a population at risk. Pediatrics. 2007;120(6):1390-1401.
  2. Boies EG, Vaucher YE; Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. ABM Clinical Protocol #10: Breastfeeding the late preterm (34-36 6/7 weeks of gestation) and early term infants (37-38 6/7 weeks of gestation), second revision 2016. Breastfeed Med. 2016;11(10):494-500.
  3. Kemper AR, Newman TB, Slaughter JL, et al. Clinical practice guideline revision: management of hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn infant 35 or more weeks of gestation. Pediatrics. 2022;150(3):e2022058859.
  4. Bull MJ, Engle WA; Committee on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention; Committee on Fetus and Newborn. Safe transportation of preterm and low birth weight infants at hospital discharge. Pediatrics. 2009;123(5):1424-1429.

This article is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always talk with your baby’s health care provider or your own provider about your specific situation. If you think your baby or you may have a medical emergency, call 911.

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