MODEL RELEASED. Premature baby. Mother breastfeeding her premature baby in a hospital special baby unit. The baby has a nasogastric tube through which liquid food is passed directly into its stomach. This is because premature babies are born with no sucking reflex and poor swallowing ability so initially breastfeeding is impossible. Premature babies are those born before the normal 37 weeks of gestation have elapsed. Characteristically they have wrinkly features, downy hair called lanugo and irregular breathing. Premature babies are normally kept in hospital until they weigh 2.25 kg and are feeding well.