Hi ladies

My daughter was born 4wks early on 25th January and is now 16wks old. I realise she wasnt that prem and fortumately we only had to stay in a few days then could bring her home but i just wondered if any of you have had any advice re babies developing later because they were early.

I hadnt really thought of it before and the HV's never ask her corrected age which is actually just 12 weeks, but a few people have told me she will do things later than full term babies because she was early and i wondered if this is true. I dont worry too much about what she does and when but i suppose lately i havebeen watching other babies and wondering if she should be doing things like holding her toys now which she isnt. I know you shouldnt compare but if its the case she will do things later than normal then its handy to know.

Ive just had a read of some of the posts on here and its lovely to see the babies are doing well and also to see the pics of how some of the little ones are now - they are adorable!

Anyway, any advice would be much appreciated or you can tell me to go away

Anna & Bethany

Congratulations on the birth of Bethany.
My son was 7 weeks prem and has developed mostly corrected age and at 18 months has totally caught up.
He has developed at his own pace and did some things before his full term pals.

Some HV are not the best with prems but im sure if she was concerned she would mention it.

4 weeks is still a prem baby and a shock and im sure you thought you still had plenty time to prepare.
I had no bag packed and loads of baby stuff to get. My oh packed a bag for me and it was full of thongs and glittery tops ( didnt know this until I went to get dressed) Doh! Did he think I was off out partying after the birth!
xx

Thanks for your reply Denise and its nice to know your son is developing fine.

Yes it was abit of a shock but luckily my waters went 1st, on the Friday morning so i rushed home and prepared the nursery and packed my bag, fortunately i had brought everything, i then went into labour on the Saturday and had Bethany on the Sunday morning.

Thats hilarious! men have no idea sometimes do they lol!

Congrulations on your lol

Kara was born almost 6 weeks early. She didn't walk to 18 months but was constantly on her feet. I don't think that this had anything to do with her being prem to be honest. I just think she wasn't ready and didn't have the confidence to let go. She is now 20 months and doing loads of things that she should be and even more. She is also doing things that full term babies aren't even going. I wouldnt compare them to any other child although I know it is hard not to at times and we are all guilty. Your daughter will do things when she is ready and not a minute before.

You are lucky you were able to pack your bag lol. I hadn't even mine bought or anything bought never mind packed. I had to get my SIL to bring them all to me on my way to the hospital lol

firstly congratulations on your daughters birth.
my dd was born nearly 8 weeks early. phusically she is at her corrected age but mentally she is more advance than her actual age if that makes sense. she is 29 weeks (21 weeks corrected) but she doesnt roll over yet, as she hates being on her tummy i dont think she really wanted to roll but can sit up without support for a few minutes at a time, as long as she concentrates but as she is sooooo nosey she tends to get distracted and falls over, bless her. if we stand her up she moves her feet to walk.

my waters went (was expecting a big gush and a puddle but only had a trickle, like a wee but wouldnt stop) so i rang the antenatal ward where i was told that it was probably just the baby kicking my bladder so not to bring anything with me. as i arrived during the shift hand over i had to wait ages to be seen, during which time my contractions started and after 20 mins of contractions every 2.5mins and last for 40-50 sec someone came to check me and i was 3.5 cm dilated so it was far to late to try to stop it. had to get my mum to go to my house and get our bags, luckily i had packed most of it the day before. by the time my mum got there with the bags 40 mins later i was pushing. dd was is a rush from that moment on, and still doesnt do thing by the book.

[Modified by: kar1234 on May 27, 2009 02:40 PM]

My dd was born at 34+5, 13th Jan. She is totally with it on the social development, laughing smiling etc but with physical development she is way different to other babies her age. She doesn't hold toys or anything, unless you place something in her hand and then she can hold it, but like kar1234 said, she is too nosey to play - she might miss something whilst she is looking at a toy!!
Girls are great xx

i think thats whay they came early just too damn nosey, they thought they were missing something on the outside

That sounds just like my Bethany for sure! way too nosey to concentrate on anything!! haha! She is so strong tho and always wanting to stand on her feet and sit up. Girls will be girls!

Hi Anna Marie
My little girl was born nearly 7 weeks early and she is mainly doing things by her corrected age, She is however bright as a button and a very determined young lady, so hopefully she will not develop too slowly on the physical front! I think prem babies that were very early, i.e. 27/28 weeks are more likely to develop slower than their peers as a rule. x