A baby two weeks early is not premature. A premature baby at term is
different from a baby born at term. The premature baby usually has not
reached the weight he would have, had he grown in utero. The intrauterine
growth rate would be optimal to maintain but usually cannot be.The
problems that accompany premature birth slow the babys growth. The baby
usually loses some weight from fluid loss, just like a full term baby,
but may take several weeks just to regain his birth weight. Usually the
head circumference catches up first, next the length and finally the baby
fattens up. Some babies catch up quickly but smaller sicker babies take
much longer. Babies whose birth weight was apporpriate for their
gestational age have an excellent chance of achieveing their normal
growth potential. It really is not fair to compare the baby's weight to a
full term baby born at the same time. As long as the baby is growing
steadily he should not be compared to babies conceived months before he
was.
 My own daughter born at 30 weeks, was borderline large for gestional
age.I think she would have been a ten pounder.She didn't grow fast and
remained small. She finally "made the chart" at 3 years old. She is now
quite tall and thin. I wonder if she is skinny because she never really
had any baby fat. It matters not. She is healthy.
  Also, The premature baby at 40 weeks is usually less neurologically
developped.He may not give reliable cues to indicate hunger,or over
stimulation. He may be difficult to feed.It takes weeks for a fullterm
baby to settle in and a premie might take longer. Many premies go home
around their due date and parents tend to assume they are bringing home
the equivalent of a fullterm baby. There usually are some differences.
 I am using as a reference, "The Premature Baby Book" b y Helen Harrison
And Ann Kosisky

Mary Gaden LLL Leader Idaho