Premmie babies and reaching their milestones.

[yeya]

My daughter was born at 36 weeks. She is now 13 weeks, corrected to 9 weeks, but she stilln isnt smiling.. Is this common for premmie babies? At what age did your premmie bub start to smile in repsonse to you?? Thanks for your replies, I am just getting very anxious....

[tired*mummy]

Hi
My DD2 was born 17 weeks premature. She didnt smile at us until she was about 7 months or 3 months corrective age. Which dr's said was normal, not sure if it would be the same for all premature bubs though.

[Elfin]

I have had 2 premmie babies, one born at 35 weeks and one at 34 weeks. I had a similiar thing with the smiling. One was 10 weeks and the other about 11 weeks so I think it is normal. Most other milestones they did on time or even early although my daughter didn't walk till 16months so not abnormal but a bit later than my other children.

But if you are ever worried always ask a health professional for advice.:)

[yeya]

My daughter was born at 36 weeks. She is now 13 weeks, corrected to 9 weeks, but she stilln isnt smiling.. Is this common for premmie babies? At what age did your premmie bub start to smile in repsonse to you?? Thanks for your replies, I am just getting very anxious....

Oh thank you both so much for your replies.. I am feeling alot better about it now! I am taking Alivia to see the Neurologist ion Feb anyway just to follow it all up and to be sure!
Regards Georgia...

[Elfin]

No problem:) Good luck with the neurologist appointment I am sure everything will be fine.

With my two premmies they were a bit smaller and thinner than most other children their age until 2 but not behind developmentally though. They caught up size wise pretty very quick after that. Now they are 8 and 3 and you would never know they are prems.

I used to get fed up with the comments what a tiny baby, how much are you feeding them, that is the smallest baby I have ever seen blah blah blah. I seriously wanted to punch these people. So don't let these comments get you down if you cop them and don't worry in a Grade 1 class you will never be able to pick the premmies, they do catch up:thumbsup:

[MiSs~KeZ]

My boy was 13weeks premmie he was in hospital 15weeks so after a month or so he started smiling he will be 2 next month and tha last 2-3 days he just startin to walk and he still not eating much i cant get him to even eat meat but im not stressin he still puttin weight on and doin fine he will get there in his own time..... Kez :)

[MummyCharmzy]

DD was 5 weeks prem but was smiling at a week old, and yep proper omg I'm so happy to see you smiles, she was laughing by one month so still technically -1 week old. Everything shes done since has been totally on track.

DS was 9 weeks prem he smiled around 8 weeks old or -1 week adjusted and giggled around 12 weeks old or adjusted 3 weeks! He was quite delayed with everything else and with some help caught up in most areas by 3, he is now 4 and advanced in a few areas and perfectly average in the rest! :)

[chameleon]

My DD was born at 29 wks. I don't actually remember exactly when she started smiling to be honest! I think it was while she was still in hospital...

But as far as milestones go she has been doing well. She isn't early at doing things... just average. And as far as weight... I am constantly getting comments about how "well fed" she must be. She is the same size as every other bub her age. I wouldn't stress too much!

P.S Tired*Mummy- your daughter was born 17 wks prem?? :eek: How small was she?

[mummaof3boyz]

Hi yeye - my twin guys were born at 28 wks. Due to their prematurity, we attend regular check-ups with ped. every 3 months to ensure that we are reaching our milestones. This is all through public medicare, therefore free and very reasuring, they even offer us free physio if needed at times.
Your ped should be able to help you? Even though there may be no issues with your beautiful babe, it's wise to check these things out so your doing the right thing.