behind?

Susan - posted on 07/30/2010

You need to adjust your expectations for a baby born 12 weeks early. so at the least, if a typical baby can do something at 6 months, it may be that she will be 9 months old before she does it - taking into account the time she was early. So my 24 weeker didn't roll over until she was 11 months old, which is 7 months corrected age.
You should also contact your state early intervention program and ask for a free evaluation to see if she is at risk for disabilities. Every state has such a program; it is federally mandated. good luck.

Samar - posted on 07/29/2010

my son is almost 6 months and isnt even holding his head all the way... i blamed it on his hernia and the point that i made him lazy.. give ur daughter time n when she is ready she will do it,, their is no right time... doctor said to give my son another 2 months... and it will all catch up to him

Sandra - posted on 07/29/2010

I completely agree with a lot of the other responses. Premies are special babies and you shouldn't compair your childs development with a full term baby. My son was born at 34 weeks, and was behind in his development. His doctor told me that he wouldn't be caught up with other babies his age until he was 2. He didn't start walking until 18 months, but now at 4 yrs. old he doesn't stop running! Don't push her too hard mom, pretty soon you'll be wishing for the days that she used to stay put!

Ashlee - posted on 07/29/2010

I wouldn't worry! My son was born at 32 weeks and is 10 months old yesterday (OH MY WHERE DID THE TIME GO????) and he still doesn't hold his bottle! He barely holds a cup but he is still primarily on a bottle...he doesn't drink from a sippy cup yet. As for crawling, he did that at 8 months old...which is 6 months corrected. I wouldn't worry at all! I would ask the doctors to make sure she is caught up to her adjusted age which accounts for what they should be doing given how preemie they were and go from there! Good luck!

Paula - posted on 07/28/2010

Would you expect a 3 month old to crawl or hold a bottle? Your daughter is really only 3 months old. She was gipped out of nearly 3 months in utero and has had to do that growing and developing in a much tougher environment. My full term son didn't crawl until he was 10 months. Relax. : )

Schmoopy - posted on 07/28/2010

First line of defense is your pediatrician. Ask what s/he thinks about how your baby is doing.

If your ped's answer doesn't ease your fears - or if you just "feel" like something is wrong in your gut, you should definitely call your local Early Intervention program. It's for babies and children ages 0-3, and it's completely free. They'll schedule an evaluation for your baby with experts (pediatric physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, etc) so you can find out exactly where you baby falls within the developmental spectrum.

Don't wait to call EI. They're usually pretty busy and it can take a while (a few months sometimes) to actually get an eval.

Here's a link where you can find contact info for your local EI program: http://www.nichcy.org/Pages/StateSpecifi...

TaMonica - posted on 07/27/2010

1st of all stop comparing your baby to what "books" say they should be doing at what age. My son was a 31 weeker and now almost three years of age can read short stories, count to 100, recognize all his letters Big and Little and knows much more...and you really want to know why....Not MD's or therapist...but good old mommy and me time. Just loving on him and encouraging him to do whatever makes him happy. Now the only thing I really need help with is a Potty Training Boot Camp! lol

Candi - posted on 07/27/2010

Oh goodness. My boys never held their own bottles. It was more of an attitude problem than anything else. We think they just thought, "Um, HELLO??? This is YOUR job!" As to crawling at six months, many babies are just working on sitting up at six months, so I wouldn't be concerned if I were you. If you baby isn't crawling by 8 or 9 months, then talk to your ped. and see what he/she has to say. Just remember that milestones are the way that the "experts" drive us crazy! Not one child otu there has hit every single milestone right at the time that the experts say it should happen. This is just normal development. Every baby is an individual, with their own attitude issues and awesome accomplishments.

Sharalyn - posted on 07/27/2010

Ok--so she was a 28 weeker, and is now just 6 months old? Is that adjusted age or actual age? Because a 28 weeker at actual 6 months of age is really only 3 months old. Average age of crawling in a non-preemie is 8 months. Here's an article:
http://wondertime.go.com/learning/child-...

Relax! Your baby sounds like she is right on target even if 6 months is adjusted age! If you are concerned, make sure she is getting lots of tummy time.

Kari - posted on 07/24/2010

The 6 months, is that corrected or actual?? With prems milestones go out the window!! With crawling, thats usually a 9 month corrected milestone give or take a month or so. Holding bottles? Well that is dependant on each child but I would look at more basic things like is she able to grasp at toys? Can she transfer objects? Can she sit yet? If you are concerned you can try a baby health nurse who can give you a list of milestones for her corrected age. If she is 6 months corrected, then she should be just about to , if not already, sitting. If she is 6 months actual then you would only expect her to be rolling at this stage:) These babes like their birth will tend to do things in their own time:)

Ellen - posted on 07/24/2010

My son was 27 weeks and didn't start crawling until his 1st birthday literally. Shortly after he was walking then running.. Your child will do his thing on his own time. All you can do is encourage. As far as tummy time, does it seems like all preemies hate to be on their bellies? My son would scream bloody murder if he was on his belly..

Kathryn - posted on 07/23/2010

Everything you mentioned, my son wasn't able to do at that time either. Today he's a year old, 9 months adjusted. You did not state if your child's age is adjusted or not. Here are my little one's milestones: sitting (still working on), crawling (8.5 months adjusted), rolling over (6 months adjusted), pulling up (8.5 months adjusted), standing (8.5 months adjusted), holding own bottle (still working on), and taking a cup (haven't even tried yet). While my son does get PT, I have been told over and over he's hitting his milestones ... and I have to keep reminding the PT he still can't sit reliably. While it's getting better with time, my son has balance problems. I would encourage you to ask you pediatrician for the devleopmental milestones your child should be achieving ... so that you have a better frame of reference (should be adjusted age). But from what you said, it all sounds right on target.

Pam - posted on 07/21/2010

definitely don't push her, give her the chance to start crawling and holding her bottle, but she will start in her own time. My granddaughter was 27 weeks and her actual age was over 9months before she starting moving around on her own and she really hated tummy time.... She is now a vibrant 7, almost 8 yr. old. She had the therapists until she started school.

Cristina - posted on 07/21/2010

My son was born at 32 weeks and 6 days. Hes now almost 11 months old. I had him evaluated because hes behind on his development and they adjusted him at 6 months old. He does not hold the bottle (i think hes lazy on that one) hes not crawling and he cries when I put him on his belly for tummy time. He has a long way to go but I have developmental specialist and physical therapists starting to work with him to catch him up to speed. You might want to check on that in your area. Ask you pediatrician about any services they might have in your area. Good luck!!!

Wendy - posted on 07/19/2010

its actually very normal for preemies to be behind a lil bit on their development, my babies' doc sed not to worry if they were behind, cuz they'll catch up when its time.

Marlasw1991 - posted on 07/19/2010

my son 26weeker actually walked before he crawled. his hands were very sensitive. I check with doctors and had therapist come to our home. pt/ot they taught us how to be patient and try different ways. he is now 8 and still have a few struggles like.... not comfortable riding bike without training wheel.(we are down to 1 wheel now). oh and speech therapy. all the therapist were a great help and support. God Bless you and your family

Candace - posted on 07/19/2010

Some babies don't crawl until about seven months old and then their are some who never crawls at all. She may be one of those who never crawls or she just may not be ready yet.Try putting some toys down on the floor with her, that may help. As far as holding her bottle she just may be lazy and wants mommy or daddy to hold it for her. That was the case with my nephew, he'd hold it when he wanted to but for the most part wanted whoever was going to feed him to hold it That went on until he was about eight months. I wouldn't worry about it too much, talk to your doctor and see what he or she thinks