[Want_to_be_a_mum...]

Hi there.
My baby was born at 36 w 4 d. He has met many of his milestones but also is lagging behind in a few e.g reaching out for toys or grasping toys. When I had his 6 week check at the paediatrician he said that even though he was born early, he should still meet the milestones when expected. Do I give him a bit of extra time because of this? What were your experiences?

[EffiesMum172]

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This post has been edited by EffiesMum172: 08/02/2013, 01:57 PM

[thunderbird]

Hey - I've got a 36-weeker, too. Yes, she was late with reaching out and grasping, and in general with movements like rolling, sitting, walking. I think clapping was the only thing that she did well from early on (???).
Anyway, she is 3 and a half now and has caught up really well. She still seems a bit uncoordinated to me but is hard to say if it is developmental or genetic (from hubby).
My suggestion is not to worry about too much the milestones - he will get there in his own time.

[lsolaBella]

They get there in their own time.

DD was later then the boys for everything but walking and talking. But even then 17.5m for walking is nothing to write home about LOL.

Remember there is a range for milestones.

Eta I didn't adjust as DD was 36w3d and the boys were both born 37w5d. So really not that much difference between them.


This post has been edited by lsolaBella: 04/02/2013, 10:13 PM

[ChalkDust]

I had a 35 weeker and he was slightly behind in cognitive milestones as a baby but to be honest it was never an issue. I just let him get there in his own time. You'd be surprised how many full term babies are exactly the same. He is now 4yrs old and is completely on track for development. I wouldn't worry about it. They aren't even considered premmie at 35 weeks, and 37 is considered full term so your bub shouldn't have any major issues (unless they are genetic ones anyway in which case the weeks he/she was born at isn't a factor).

[iwanttosleepin]

My 2.050 kg 36 weaker has showed no signs of development delay whatsoever.

We never adjusted for age.

At 6 weeks you would be forgiven for giving them an extra week or 2 based on the early birth though. But 2 or 3 months it would be unlikely that the early birth could be blamed for any delay in meeting milestones. not forgetting that every baby is different and will do things at different times.

But my little one smiled well before 6 weeks, rolled at 3 months etc.

[gc_melody]

Hi OP,

My 35w is now almost 2 and was delayed quite a bit in his gross motor milestones, so in this area his paeds and we corrected his age. He's now catching up well. Soon, you'd never know he was premmie. I agree with the others, all babies have their own timeline and there is a large bandwidth of normal. I think if you're worried have a chat with your paeds or GP. It can't hurt and if it sets your mind at ease, that's a good thing.

I'm not sure where the info that 35weekers aren't considered premature comes from. Any child born before term (37-42 weeks) are considered preterm, moderately prem or early prem. My 35weeker spent 2.5 weeks in the SCN due to being premature and the issues this brings. There were no genetic factors in play, just prematurity. His paeds has always corrected for his prematurity.

Some babies born pre-term are very lucky if they don't have any issues at birth or in the first 2 years of milestones. A lot don't do so well and both these babies and their parents need support and understanding. It's misunderstandings like this that can delay a child or parent receiving the appropriate support they need.

[tishka]

Hi all,I have 36+2 born 2.015. She is 13weeks now and weighed 4.07 at paed today.Paed has always adjusted so corrected she is below 10 centile.Terrible reflux, but generally feeds ok otherwise.She was in SCN for 23days. Started smiling at 11 weeks, and shows signs of rolling now.I think there may be slight delays in reaching milestones, but as long as they're not too far from her adjusted age, I won't be stressing out. Every baby is different. If in doubt though, always bring it up. Better to have your mind at ease and be calm for your baby, and better to e on the safe side in case something needs to be done.My paed also said that DD should reach milestones when expected, but seeing as he adjusts, I'm vsure that this is with corrected age in mind, and achievement should be within a month or so of actual age. Hope your LO is doing well now.