Behind developmentally

flerlgirl

My little 26-weeker sees a PT. She came out the other day and it was so frustrating and discouraging to have her ask me, "Does he ____?" "Can he ____?" and for my answer to always be no. He doesn't really play with toys or follow objects. He acts like he's just a few weeks old instead of 3 months adjusted. The PT isn't concerned and said that happens with preemies and that he'll catch up. It just bums me out, you know? This is really silly, but when we came home from the NICU after 115 days I just wanted everything to be normal, like I could pretend the whole thing never happened. But he's on oxygen and monitors and is behind and it just made me a little sad. 

There was no point to this except to whine so have a camel if you read all the words:

Throw3ks

I think it's ok to be sad. It isn't easy. My LO is still in the NICU so I have not been where you are but I am sure if you give yourself and LO time things will all catch up. Sending lots of good vibes your way.

flerlgirl

Throw3ks said:

I think it's ok to be sad. It isn't easy. My LO is still in the NICU so I have not been where you are but I am sure if you give yourself and LO time things will all catch up. Sending lots of good vibes your way.

Thanks, girl. I hope your LO comes home soon!! It's rough going in the NICU but you will get through it! 

KTZ17

My DD is only about 6 weeks adjusted so I haven't really thought about her reaching milestones yet, so no experience here yet, but I just wanted to say I'm sorry you're feeling down. It seems like there aren't any set rules for preemies. I guess the way us preemie moms need to tink of it is that they're on their own schedules and eventually they'll do everything they're supposed to. Hang in there, mama!

Mrs. Alice

Sorry sweetie.  I can relate to those feelings about just wanting to put those things behind you.  My twins did fairly well developmentally the first year and started falling behind after a year.  Here at 2 years old we are still dealing with developmental delays and therapy. 

+ASH+

It's all relative, don't worry. My little girl is 5 months old and she's not holding toys unless we put them in her hand, but she does track them. I'm not worried - she'll get there on her own time, so I'm not rushing her. If it makes you feel better, my best friend's child is 3 and only speaking a few words. He's perfectly normal and was full-term - she stresses, as any mother would, but he's perfectly fine - just not following the doctors charts. Milestones are generalizations - they get there when they feel like it .

Brummy14

Hang in there - we're just going through these evaluations with DD2, as she officially starts having regular EI visits as of this Friday for her gross motor skill delays as result of lower muscle tone. It's hard -- and it nags at me even when I expect it not to -- and all things considered, she's doing incredibly. But, they also told me they had to ask questions until they got 3 "no's in a row" on their eval, so inevitably there are going to be things she can't do (nor should she technically be doing). So, that may be part of it. 

That said, don't try to compare -- focus on the small victories (of which I am sure there are many!) And, I will try to take my own advice.

flerlgirl

Thanks for the encouragement, lllllladies. I try not to compare but I get so jealous of other "regular" babies. I guess it is a blessing that EI exists so he can catch up!