What should I expect in the first year for my preemie baby?

Katie - posted on 07/02/2010

They say that their development is based on the due date. So your son would be expected to be five weeks behind. However, I wouldn't worry too much. Boys tend to be slower on some aspects of developing, like speech for example. My son was 9 weeks early and although he is on the low end of his age for speech development he is in the normal range even with his prematurity. They are expected to catch up by age 2 so just go with the flow and don't fret too much. If you worry to much you'll just upset yourself and not enjoy the baby moments.

Kelly - posted on 06/28/2010

I understand where you are coming from. A lot of my friends have young babies as well. It concerns me that he doesnt do the same things as them. My son was born 7 weeks early. He was in the NICU for 2 weeks & came home pretty much like a newborn. He hasnt rolled over, except once which I am pretty sure was a fluke. He just started smiling & laughing which was a huge relief. He was born on March 17 of this year so it seemed as though he was behind. Our pediatrician told me that he should only be doing what he wouldve been doing had he been born on time. It is still frustrating. But he is really coming along.

Natasha - posted on 06/27/2010

don't worry to much and enjoy every moment. my linda was over 6 weeks early and is now 14months. she is as happy and healthy as other babies. yes there is some bits she is behind like she only started crawling about 2 months ago but today she walks a few steps all by her self.most people don't even notice that she is a premie...a good advice from my experience and i heard as well from some doctors. just because they are premies doesn't mean the have to live in complete sterile conditions.in fact, i know it sounds mad but they need some dirt and bacteries to improove theyr imunesystem. my little one was never sick. we're out with her every day.she helps in the garden, plays in her sandbox or on the beach.yes there is sand, stones, grass, leaves ect.going in her mouth but never harmed her..so try to be as natural as possible and trust in your instinkt and don't worry about how far he will be behind.good bless

Kristin - posted on 06/25/2010

my son was 3 months early and he is not behind at all he is really kinda smart for his age is on a 3-4 year level and he is only two if work with him a lot like numbers and letters he will be rite in track dont get down about it becuz it all depends on you working with him and him being willing to play make it a game for him

Ginette - posted on 06/24/2010

To get the best answer you will have to give a little more info. like how much did he weigh, and were there any complications during or after birth. With that said my son was also born 5 weeks early and weighed 6lb 3oz. there were no complications after birth. He's 5 now and hasn't shown any signs of being behind any kids his age; in fact he progressed faster than most kids in his Kindergarden class. It all depends on the child and any complications they may have had.

Sarah - posted on 06/23/2010

Yes, it depends on yur child but IMO it also depends on the level of care you provide! My daughter was 9 weeks early and we are beating the odds- I have put hours and hours in with her, occupational therapy, developmental specialist, homemade baby food, breast milk- anything and everything to help her. Do the work! It makes a difference!!

Jay - posted on 06/23/2010

Jennifer....if you believe in God, there is nothing he cant do!! Including give your child the ability to do all things.....My daughter, now 3, will be 4 in October, was born 5 weeks earlier than expected on 22 Oct...she AND her twin sister were due on Thanksgiving day 2006. I lost her sister in August....even my doctors don't know what went wrong, and I continued to carry my baby girl, until she decided she was ready to come. At 5 lbs 4 oz....I delivered, and she left the hospital with me the very next day......
To this day, her milestones have been consistently near, or close to other children her age.....but what helps me is keeping in mind that she is not in a competition with the others. She is an individual, and will do what she wants............
She has no abnormalities, physically, emotionally, or academically. If you don't count the allergies which she has through hereditary.
So, be encouraged. Be strong. And know that everything works out for the best. ALWAYS!!

Liara - posted on 06/23/2010

Hello, I also echo everything everyone says. My son was born at 29 weeks at 2 lbs 10 oz. He stayed in the NICU for 2 months. Those were the hardest two months of my life. He came home on an apnea monitor as well. It alarmed but it turned out that he never had a true episode. Of course once out of the hospital, he had some other problems with wheezing (hereditary). I have to say, if it wasn't for the infants and toddlers program he is in, I don't know where he would have been today. He is now 2 years old and is progressing really nicely. He catches on to things very quickly, is talking very nicely, etc.

Like everyone said, every child is different. You have to be the advocate for your child. I did find that when people looked at him, they would always say how small he was etc. and I would always make excuses that he was a preemie. And it's funny how some parents who are not a preemie mom, has no clue the extra things you have to take into consideration, like learning to breath, suck and swallow and drink out of a bottle, learning to roll over, hold their head up, learning to walk etc. My son walked at 16 months. My neice walked at 11 months. I would say just be patient, everything happens in their own time. The first year will be hard, but hang in there.

Erin - posted on 06/23/2010

I echo everyone else who says it just depends on the kid, they're all different (preemie or not). My son was born 4.5 weeks early, he was small (5#2) but otherwise didn't require any interventions. He was not on the growth chart for his age until 12mos and then just 5th percentile, but he's hit all the developmental milestones.

His ped told us that they expect preemies to be caught up by the time they're 2 and as long as he was growing and progressing they didn't worry.

Laura - posted on 06/18/2010

I think it depends a lot on whether your son experienced any other complications at birth. Our daughter was born 5 weeks early, with no other complications except low birth weight (3.5 lbs). By 6 - 9 months she was in the 50 - 75 percentiles on her height and weight. She was late in walking (18 months) and talking (24 months) but I attribute that more to her personality, not to her being a preemie.

It's a cliche you hear repeated over and over but it's true: every baby is different and develops on his or her own schedule. Having said that, when you are the parent of a preemie, it's harder to keep that in perspective. I know I was hyper-aware of her development because she was a preemie, and wanted to be sure that I would detect any delays that should be addressed.

My recommendation is to make written notes of all your son's milestones. Number one, it's wonderful to have those memories written down. Number two, it becomes very important when a specialist is determining whether there is a developmental delay that needs attention. Although you think you will never forget these things, when you are asked 3 years later how many months old your son was when he started cooing, you might not remember very accurately. Just make sure you keep your child's pediatrician accurately informed about developmental milestones and any concerns you may have along the way, and if there is something that needs attention your doctor should make any recommendations about early intervention.

That's another thing to keep in perspective: if your child does need a little assistance through early intervention or a similar program, don't view it as a disability or something to be embarrassed about; accept it as an opportunity for your child to get assistance. I know as a parent our first response is "there's nothing wrong with my child" but let's face it: any child would benefit from a little extra help with speech or physical therapy or whatever. It's hard to put our pride behind us to accept help for our children but it's not about us, it's about them.

It's understandable that you are anxious about what to expect, because the outcomes for preemies range so widely. I remember when our daughter was born we didn't know what to expect: the doctors prepare you for the worst, and the internet is full of stories about varying experiences. Again, if your child didn't have any other complications except being premature, I wouldn't expect to notice any difference after the first year. Most importantly enjoy this precious time when your son is an infant: it goes by way too fast!

Chandra - posted on 06/14/2010

My son was 14weeks early spent 3 months in the NICU came home on a little bit of oxygen apnea monitor meds for acid refluex vitamins but he is now 18months 15months adjusted and he is right on. Our first year had rough times lots of different checkup appts in the begining oxygen and apnea monitors diaper bag carseat all had to be carried at once thats hard :) If your babys on oxygen I stongly suggest combining your diaperbag oxygen tank and monitor into a backpack its a lot easier and more comfortable. He is right at 15 months we are now done with OT and PT which we started last June to help him stay on track he was a little behind at first about a month but after the first appts he was learning and catching on so fast and now he is doing everything a 15 month old should be and he does a lot of different things between 16 and 24 months. At times you will want to pull your hair out but dont worry cause its totally worth it cause we are playing and laughing you never remember those hard moments. I hope everything goes well and another piece of advice if you have any concerns dont wait to call Doctor call right away even if you find out it was nothing it make life less stressful My sons Doctors are amazing and totally understand its strange cause they are all male and are way more gentle and comforting then the female doctors which suprises me. It will get hard but Ive been told thats normal :)

Samantha - posted on 06/14/2010

my son was born at 32 weeks he was 5 pound 1 couldnt breathe or eat he now 19 months and rules the house i wouldnt be too worried they learn quick just maybe tiny bit later my alfie was about a month behind in things but he is fine dw !

Kari - posted on 06/13/2010

My eldest daughter was 6 weeks early. By the time she was 9 months old she had pretty much caught up with other kids her actual age. The easiest is to consider his corrected age when looking at him developmentally. But it all depends on any complications or illnesses you may have had.

Ashley - posted on 06/12/2010

Like Monicquea said he will most like be 5 weeks behind, alot are slower, and alot are faster. And there are times when they go up and down. My boys were born at 24 weeks, meaning 4 months behind. They are 15 months so 11 months adjusted. My one boy was behind usually and the other was right on track or a little ahead. It depends on the baby and if they went home with like a feeding tube/oxygen. Makes things a little harder. You'll get used to it, and keep high hopes for your little man. He'll catch up to his real age soon enough!

Michelle - posted on 06/12/2010

my son was born 6 weeks early he went home with a heart and breathing monitor now he'll be 1 in 2 more weeks he has 8 teeth and he can crawl now hes tryna walk and he can talk a lil bit. so just expect the best for ur little 1 he will grow up b4 u know it. good luck!!!!

Monicquea - posted on 06/12/2010

Since your son was born 5 weeks early he will be expected to be 5 weeks behing. However that would only happen in a perfect world and as you know this is not a perfect world. Some progress faster and others like my daughter progress slower. Your son's progress is really going to be up to him. You are his best advocate. You know him, his likes, dislikes, etc. Just be sure to let his doctors, case workers, etc to know about them.