MODEL RELEASED. Premature baby. Nurse's hands and a 5-day-old baby that was born 10 weeks premature. It is seen inside an incubator. A premature baby (born before 37-42 weeks of gestation) needs constant monitoring in a contained and controlled environment. Its immune system and internal organs will still be developing and it will have problems maintaining its body temperature. It will be given antibiotic drugs and require intravenous drips and feeding tubes. The incubator allows access for the nurse to care for the baby, while maintaining the temperature, humidity and oxygen levels.