1) I don't know if there are special growth charts for preemies.  Generally
speaking, premature children are treated as being only as old as the time
passed since their due date, not their actual birth date, until they are 3
or 4 years of age, by which time they should have caught up.  So a child who
was six weeks premature and is now six weeks old should look like a newborn,
and grow like any other kid from then on.  Does that make sense?  The growth
charts for twins indicate complete catch-up in most kids by 4 or 5, and
others catch up later.

2)  If someone wants to provide an e-mail address for Newt Gingrich, perhaps
we can all send him e-mail complaining about our tax dollars being spent to
provide infant formula which is more expensive and less healthy to poor
children.  Here one case where less government involvement would be better
health for the kids, at least in many instances.  I realize that some poor
families will give the kid cows' milk or Kool-aid or Coke, but surely SOME
would breastfeed instead.  And if breastfeeding is supposed to be a sign of
poverty, how can accepting free formula from WIC be any better in that
regard?  Taking food aid from WIC is a clear sign of poverty to begin with
-- I speak from experience.

Kathy Dettwyler
former WIC mom (1980)