"Normal" Infant development. Please help.

Shana - posted on 12/27/2009

Thanks again everyone. A few hours after posting this I layed her down for tummy time and she decided she didn't want to be on her tummy because I turned around for three seconds and when I looked back at her, she was on her back! I rolled her back onto her tummy and she kept flipping over. It made me so excited to see her learn something new.

Jodi - posted on 12/27/2009

if she was three weeks early you need to think of her as 5 weeks developmentally. At least, that's what they told my sister with her baby who was 4 weeks early. I know of a lot of babies who were right in your child's developmental stage at 8 weeks and weren't born early! If you have any concerns though, I would talk to your pediatrician, just to ease your mind.

Christy - posted on 12/27/2009

my daughter was also 3 weeks early and the drs. told me that during the first 6-12 mos of her life i should adjust her milestones to her due date. your daughter will probably be about a month behind others her age for a bit, i think my daughter was fully caught up around 4-5 mos. i also worried about smiling and laughing and was jealous when others her age started and mine didn't but she is now a very happy, sociable little girl. and just because they start out behind doesn't mean they'll stay there, once my daughter caught up she started hitting her milestones early. it's natural to worry, especially for a first time mom, but try not to and just enjoy your daughter for who she is. best of luck to both of you =)

Diana - posted on 12/27/2009

How early was your baby born? That makes a big difference. Also, even for a 2 month old, what you're describing seems to be pretty normal. Just keep trying-one day you'll be amazed that your baby will just reach up for something, then be picking up things, and it will be from there. =)



Edit: Sorry, somehow I missed that you said she was 3 weeks early. Don't be overly concerned-it may take her a few extra weeks to learn some skills. My son was 8 weeks early, and he's mostly caught up with his actual age group at almost 9 months. Besides-all babies develop at their own rate anyway. I don't see any reason to be concerned unless a chidl is lagging way behind and/or doesn't seem to be making any progress. Like adults, not all babies fit the status quo. =)

Celia - posted on 12/27/2009

my frist child was eight weeks eairly and now hes eight yrs old when he was a baby he wasnt intrestited in anything i always wondered if he'd have any neg effects from being too eairly..... hes on top of his class you cant tell he was eairly, i would say just keep teaching her and try to keep toys and music in her daily routine all babies are different good luck!

Renee - posted on 12/27/2009

Being 3 weeks early, she had a lot more catching up to do...My son was born a week late, after being enduced. I was paranoind with my son too when he was that little. Each kid develops at their own pace...My son is now a week shy of 20 mos and still sleeps 12 hours a night and will take a 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon.

Ashlea - posted on 12/27/2009

My daughter is 10 months old and sometimes she still takes 2 hour naps twice a day. Sometimes if she is tired enough...especially if she is sick she will sleep very early in the evening and stays in bed til morning. It is very normal for your child to sleep long hours at that age though. My daughter slept for 17 hours a day total when she was that little.

Shana - posted on 12/26/2009

Thanks Allie and Amanda for your thoughts, I guess I just need to learn to not be so paranoid about things.

Amanda - posted on 12/26/2009

She is more than fine. When a baby is born, they do a series of tests on her, so if something was wrong, you would of found out by now. She is still a bit young to actually giggle, my son was 4 months when he did that. He is extremely to young to stand on his feet if you hold him which is not good for the spine. And sleeping all the time is still very normal.

Allie - posted on 12/26/2009

I'll be the first to tell you that you shouldn't worry. there will be things that she'll not get right away. My son was born 6 weeks early and he seems to be doing fine now. he's almost 9 months now and he just started getting good at crawling. and it took him 8 months to get a tooth through. and he still hasn't started walking or anything like that. but also my mom had my sister, well one of them, 8 weeks ealy. she's 7 now and she's super smart. she's in the gifted program and is making straight A's in school. and my last sister, she's 5 now about to be 6, was also a preemie. she was i think 4 weeks early. and is doing the same. she just started school this year and it excelling in everything. so i wouldn't worry too much about it. as long as you work and have patience with her then she'll do fine.

Shana - posted on 12/26/2009

Thanks Raechel, I know kids learn differently, I think I'm just overly excited to interact with her more...

Raechel - posted on 12/26/2009

My son is 16 months old and still doesnt laugh he was born 2 weeks early. I dont think it has anything to do with when they were born its just your childs nature kids are all different and they learn at different paces. my daughter was walking at 8 months and my son still doesnt walk at 16 months. there is nothing wrong with either of my kids they just learn differently.