Premmies, how far behind others are they with their physical development?

[bgbgbb]

I thought about putting this in the 'Development stages' section, but as it is applicable only to premmies, I wanted to be sure I got the appropriate answers.

My twins were born at 34w4d. They were in SCN for 2 weeks. Since they've been home they've thrived and are still breastfed. However I have noticed that they are slower than my other babies (all born between 36-37 weeks and all went home with me) to reach the milestones such as rolling over, crawling and sitting up. They've just turned 8 months and are rolling over, trying to tummy crawl (1 is trying to get into the crawling position) but are not sitting up yet unassisted. My other children were all at least crawling by this stage.

Is their prematurity a cause for them being that little bit behind? I'm not majorly concerned as I know all kids without physical issues do crawl, sit and walk eventually.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

[Tangarine Mummy Machine]

you are supposed to use their corrected age until they turn 2. So take 6 weeks development off their actual age. So corrected they are only 6 and a half months.

[sheep]

Agree with Tangarine Mummy Machine, you need to be using corrected age. However it depends on the child as to when they stop using corrected age. My DS1 is nearly four and is still corrected for his development, as he is delayed across all areas (with speech, language and social development being the most delayed).

My 30 weeker, DS1, was 8-9 months actual age before rolling, 10 months actual age before crawling and 10.5 months before sitting. His gross motor skills developed quicker than the rest of his developmental skills, but then by 2yrs corrected his gross motor started to lag behind and his fine motor had caught up. He's still on the small side, at almost 4, he's just over 13kg. We have no issues with lungs at all with him.

My 34 weeker, DS2, was crawling at 7.5 months actual age, sitting by 8 months actual age and he walked at 11.5 months actual age. He's very advanced for his gross motor skills. At 18 months he is only just starting to babble now, so while he was putting lots of effort in to moving about his other skills got left behind. Which is quite common. He was a massive 34+3 weeker at 3.09kg, he required ventilation and CPAP. His weight helped him through the NICU, but he slowly dropped off the chart and now at 18 months has yet to reach 10kg. He also has breathing related issues and is on regular ventolin puffs.

At the end of the day, each baby is different and therefore are going to develop at different rates, regardless as to whether they were term or not. I strongly believe that if mum is concerned then that it enough to see a Dr to get checked out. I prefer my CHN, as she is also the co-ordinator for the local therapists (speech, OT, physio etc).

I hope that helps :)

[TripleTime]

Need to correct their age till they are 2.

This lot all rolled by 3 months corrected (28 weekers), girls sat at mo actual, DS at 9mo actual. Girls walked at 14 & 15 months, DS 16 months.
DS's speech is way ahead of the girls & corrected age.

In the end they all develop at different stages, even if they are born at the same time.

[Tangarine Mummy Machine]

My dd was 30 plus 5 and didn't roll until nearly 12 months, didn't crawl for 3 weeks later and walked 2 weeks after that. She did say her first words at 10 months. All actual ages. Try not to worry. :)