Preemie Development

kiki1978

I need the help of some fellow preemie moms. DS was born a month early. I thought premature babies developed as if they were still in utero until their due date and then they start developing like babies born at term. So, if DS is 8 weeks today, he's developmentally more like a 4 week old. Is this true or am I confused? TIA!!

Missa_g

All babies are different, including preemies. There is a wide range of "normal" for lots of development. I suggest always using adjusted age in the beginning to think of where he should be at. Likely he will be at adjusted age for some things and actual for others.

kiki1978

Thanks ladies! I guess I just need to stop worrying. I am ready for him to outgrow his tummy issues though.

LaciJaxx

Def stop worrying! I read up on all that jazz and then once he got home and our life together started, I rarely think about it anymore. Just have an idea what he should be doing based on his adjusted age (4 weeks) and let your pedi know if he's behind. I've found our LO hits a lot of milestones based on actual age but others he's more around adjusted. But it's funny, he'll nit be doing something one day and then the next he's all about it, (sitting for instance) it's like a flip switched overnight. Babies develop best at their own pace and with no pressure.

BLPL101

My DD was born a month early and her pedi doesn't adjust. She is almost always hitting her milestones for her actual age. She's 14 months now.