
Toni - posted on 01/28/2010 ( 24 moms have responded )
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I am a proud mother of a mico-preemie girl born at 25 weeks 3 days weighing 1lb 8oz, 12 1/2 inches long. She is 10 1/2 months old now and weighs 14 lbs. She has had eye surgery for Retinopathy of Prematurity and has Chronic lung disease. She is very Active and inquisitive and such a joy to us! I was just wondering when your micro-preemies caught up with others their age? When did they start crawling, walking, talking and did thier size ever catch up? Thanks and God Bless!
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Pam - posted on 10/25/2011
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My granddaughter was born at 27 weeks, 1.5lbs and 12inches long.. she was our real life Barbie Doll. She's 9 years old now.
She came home on her original birth date-3 months later on O2. She had Chronic lung disease, her eyes cleared up without surgery, her lungs have healed.. (quite awhile ago) she was on O2 at home for almost 2 years. She got RSV at 3 months.. just before starting her round of shots for the season, got pneumonia after RSV season ended, has had several severe ear infections (hopefully seems to be doing well in that area now). Had speech therapy, motor skills therapy since before she was a year old.. that ended when she started school at 5years, couldn't get the therapy for her in school.. would have helped her to pass 2nd grade the first time, but she's in 3rd now-which is where she would have been had she not been born early.
She didn't start walking, alone, until about 18 -24 months. Didn't smile at anyone until she was a year.. and then only at Mom for the longest time.. She used to have major meltdowns.. would get over stimulated very easily.. Her mother and I were the only people to be able to calm her down.. but when she wanted Mom there was nothing I could do at all. She is close to her peers in size, weight but still below.. she just weighed in at the drs at about 45-47lbs last week. She's very bright but fights learning (what kid doesn't sometimes?)
I've seen preemies-micro preemies catch up to their peers in no time and then others who never do. Gabby can keep up with any of her friends, but she will get very tired sometimes because she is always on the go-even at home.. it took so long for her to talk.. now she doesn't stop..LOL literally.. The thing to remember -most important to any kids development-is that every child learns and improves in their own time, some end up having little reminders that they started out as a preemie.. Gabby still doesn't run and jump as well as she might have if she hadn't been a preemie, but she keeps trying to improve and she is.
I believe that her dr stopped using the corrected age at about 3 years, but it could have 5 yrs-because of her slow growth and weight gain.. and to be honest we don't think about it much.. but when someone tries to compare her to their 'normal' child I always mention that she may not do as well because her system was delayed at birth- but we don't compensate for it.. we try to get her to push herself to catch up, as much as she can each day.. Her meltdowns have almost gone away, but she will still have them occasionally when she's tired and easily confused..
So actually answer the question.. I would say that micro-preemies may appear to 'catch up' with their peers, but there will always be something that will hold them apart.. and it's probable that no one will ever know-except for the parents/care-giver..
Sara - posted on 01/30/2010
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My daughter was 27 weeks, 2lbs 1oz. She had a lot of respiratory, and still has Asthma and some chronic nasal issues. By 3 she was caught up in a lot of places except physical endurance. She will be 14 next week. 5' 8" tall, plays club volleyball and is in the top 2% of her class. in the day to day world, it takes forever - but over the span of life, it's only a moment that we think time stands still as our kids work so hard to grow \.
Jeanine - posted on 06/18/2011
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I can relate to Ariel Dantzler. I was 26 wks & my son Shane was born 1 lb 12 oz. He had alot of issues & stayed in the NICU for 161 days. He is very behind, but I am not as worried as I was before. 7/15 he will be 2 & only ways 23 lbs. 33 inches. He caught double pnemonia in Jan. recovered & just started crawling all over the place. He can walk w/ me holding 1 hand, not alone & he is just now babling like crazy. We have him going to PT, OT & ST! I truely believe that preemies are so unique. Shane will walk & talk when HE is ready. We can push him & push him, but altimately it is up to him. He eats well, but just has a problem gaining weight fast. He is healthy & happy & I am happy he is here w/ me. That is all I care about. They will all catch up some time or another.
Ashley - posted on 06/19/2010
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My boys were born at 24 weeks, 1 lb 11 oz and 1 lb. 14 oz. They stayed in the NICU for 4 1/2 months. They have ROP, CLD, AR, and so many other thing. One was sent home with a NJ tube and oxygen. My one boy started crawling at 10 months ( 6 adj.) the other 11 months (7adj.) ..Standing and cruising 13 months (9adj.) and 12 months (8 adj.) and they just started doing there own first steps just last week 15 months ( 11adj.) They grow up fast and obviously are still 4 months behind but they're young and they are caught right up to there adjusted age. It takes time enjoy it, all preemies and non preemie babies are miracles. ♥
Amy - posted on 01/28/2010
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My son was born at 29 weeks and weighed 2lbs 10oz. he is going to be 20 months old next week. We have been through a lot with him, mostly respiratory but so far he has done very well developmentally. we have just completed a major round of evaluations and he has caught up with his full term age group in everything but speech. his speech is really delayed even on a corrected scale. He was a little slow to crawl and walk but it was really only when he was compared to my other 2 full term babies. As a general rule though most preemies, even micro preemies tend to be fully caught up by age 2.hang in there and don't let your worries get you down. She will get there!