preemie development

Marcy - posted on 04/15/2010

My daughter was born in February, 6 1/2 weeks early. She did not rollover until Thanksgiving, at around 9 months and then didn't sit supported until she was 11 months old. Once she hit a year, she started crawling, then within weeks she was trying to stand and walk. It is amazing how quickly each child can develop. Just give her time and lots of love and patience. Try not to compare to other children. Though it is hard to do.

Lilah - posted on 04/07/2010

I have had 2 preemie babies. My oldest now 14 was also a 36 weeker, weighed 5 lbs 10 oz and was 17.5 inches. My last baby now 8.5 months was a 35 weeker, weighed 4 lbs 7 oz and was 17 inches. He spent 5 days in the NICU. They both have thankfully developed exactly on target. Keep in mind many preemies don't reach milestones until they adjusted age. If you really feel like there may be a problem, check with your ped at her 6 month check up.

Heather - posted on 04/07/2010

Not at all. It will be different and she will excel in different areas than others. As what Kristen says remember the birth age is different than the develomental age. I always read what they should be doing then go back and see what my twins were doing and it was their right age.

Amber - posted on 04/06/2010

My daughter was born at 32 weeks weighing 3lbs 14oz. She was in the Nicu for 71/2 weeks. I play games with her to what I think will encourage her to attempt to roll over. I'll put her on her side and hold a toy behind or in front of her and allow her to lean for it until she kinda tips over. She ofter will try on her own if I lay her on her back but never on her stomach.

Reiko - posted on 04/05/2010

My little one was born at 29 wks she is 7 months 1 week and she is still not rolling over or grasping anything for more than 3 seconds

AnneMarie - posted on 04/05/2010

my daughter was born 6 weeks early too..she started crawling at around 8 months..but until then never rolled over from her tummy to her back..only from back to tummy..dont really worry about it..all babies are diffrent..im sure she will be just fine! enless your doctor expresses concern just enjoy your time with her while your not having to keep her out of the dogs water!

Nikki - posted on 04/05/2010

I wouldn't worry :) My son Ethan was born at 29 weeks and weiged 4 lbs , and spent 3 months in intensive care . Ethan was always a couple of months behind on rolling over, crawling , walking etc. He is 3 now and wears a size 5-t . He is a big boy and over all seems to be doing ok however he does have some preemie issues . He still will not eat much and gets frustrated easily over little things. He is just now potty trained at 3 and 1/2 so I think all preemies do things in their time. It doesn't mean they won't do it at all :) I know I worried myself sick as all my friend's children were ahead of Ethan in every regard BUT he did catch up !! I noticed once the "light bulb" went off he was good to go !! If your daughter does not start doing the things she should be doing months later , you may want to have her checked out. I know it's a scary feeling as everyone suggested I take Ethan to a developmental "clinic" but I chose to stick it out and work with him myself and he did fine. I think your daughter will be just fine as she was a 36 weeker so even though she is a preemie she still was not born extremely early :) I hope all goes well with her and you :) God Bless you both.........

Joaquina - posted on 04/05/2010

By 5 months my son was able to sit up alone without support then closer to 5 1/2 months he did start rolling over but he didn't ever like being on his stomach. Something I had to remember was that every baby is different and sometimes preemies take longer at doing things but I wouldn't worry. There is this website I go to when I have any questions its babycenter.com and it like explains what stages your baby can be at but it also states that every baby is a individual and when they are ready they will do things.

Tanya - posted on 04/05/2010

My son was born at 34 weeks. They believed he would have developmental problems but he has proven them all wrong. he didnt crawl until 8 months and walk until about 15 months. Dont worry your lil angel will be just fine!

Adriane - posted on 04/05/2010

Congrats on your little one.. don't get too caught up on the "milestones" - not all full-term babies hit those marks, they are just guidelines. Plus, like others above have said, you need to use their corrected age. My litte guy was 3 months early. He's now turned 3 years old, but we (the doctors and my family) considered him 33 months at his 3-year check up.... She'll roll over when ready... you can try to encourage it by placing her on her back and then placing her favorite toy/blankie/pacifiier/etc just out arms reach so that she has to try rolling over to get it herself.... Good luck to you!

Andrea - posted on 04/05/2010

My son just turned a year old (10 months corrected) and he cannot quite sit up on his own (but he's almost there). He doesn't crawl persay...he does get around though, but does not go very far. Other than that, he learned to roll over at 7 months and hold his own bottle at 11 months.

His pediatrician is concerned about him not sitting up unsupported so we go abck this week to see if anything needs to be done.

Brandy - posted on 04/04/2010

My son is almost a year (adjusted 10 month). He didn't roll over till 9 months and still can't figure out how to get into a sitting position. He still can barely hold his bottle, but he is standing and walking along the edge of our table. He is doing everything backwards, out of order, you name it. It is his own schedule. This was a huge reality check for me because my daughter (not a preemie) walked by herself at 9 months. Is your Dr. concerned?

Sara - posted on 04/04/2010

Even if your daughter had gone to term, she may not do everything by the book. That's the great things about us as individuals. Use books and other peoples kids as visual aides, but not a direct comparison. I was told it could take as long as 3 years for my daughter to "catch up". It seems like a lifetime ago I waited for her to be able to situp and hold her head up on her own., but now she is an honor student and starting center on the varsity volleyball team.
The real question is - do you see her growing and getting stronger each week? Is she doing more today than she did two weeks ago? Are the Dr's who are part of your support system happy with her development? Go there first....
My son who was a term baby didn't crawl until 11.5 months. He crawled then for 1 day and started walking the next...you just can't tell what kids will do. Enjoy this time with her.

Tammy - posted on 04/04/2010

My baby was born at 32 weeks and didn't start holding his own bottle until 10 months old and he's now 16 months and can't say any words yet or walk. He can stand on his own and walk around holding onto furniture but not on his own yet. Sometimes I get really frustrated but I have learned with him to be patient.

Patrice - posted on 04/03/2010

Alyssa don't worry, remember they are 3 months behind in their gestation. Their overall development will be delayed, but not for long trust me. My son was born 2 pounds and 5 ounces and he is a healthy 5 going on 6. Thank God. He had 2 therapists for four years and everything worked out fine. Everything happens in due time, just keep hope.

Kirsten - posted on 04/02/2010

just always keep in mind the corrected age of your daughter.

in otherwords if she was born to term how old would she be, so being born 4 weeks early you should right now be looking for your daughter to be meeting the milestones for a 4 month old and not a 5 month old.

I have preemie twins (now 3 years old) and all of the infant development specialists that I saw always tested for their corrected age. They also didn't crawl until 8 months and didn't walk until 16 months. But they got there and have now caught up developmentally to the rest of the children their age.

Best of luck to you and have fun with your daughter.