Activities for Preemies...

coachg

Our little one just came home Saturday after a month in the NICU. Dunce we've been adjusting to having Tyler home, DH and I just remembered that we should be doing activities with him. So far we've read to him, went on a walk ( he was sleeping) and sing/talk to him. What other things you do. The whole actual vs adjusted age is throwing me off and I quite frankly have no idea what to do with him to engage him. Any tips or suggestions?

coachg

Please excuse the typos...on an iPhone.

kck329

Cora typically has one or two "awake" times where she stays awake and alert between feedings. During those times we read, sing, do tummy time, practice focusing on toys and tracking them with her eyes, listen to music, and do the exercises our OT outlines.

Do you qualify for ECI? If so, you may get more suggestions when he is evaluated. Our OT is great for giving us lists of things to help with development. 

And congrats on having him home! 

mrsV719

Honestly... what you are doing is great! Add in a little tummy time/playmat time and some exercises and you will be fine for a little while. Just make sure that all of the interactions are positive! I don't know your actual/adjusted age... but my LO is about 7 weeks adjusted and just now we are able to "play" and do things with him. Prior to this it has been getting into a routine, dealing with reflux, eating, changing, sleeping, etc. I was very frustrated b/c I thought I would be really interactive mom and I just couldn't do it (especially with the reflux... I just wanted him to eat and go back to sleep) but now that he is interacting back, I can't wait for his long awake times! 

jteneback

Sounds like you are doing great!  I have found with DD she needs a bit less stimulation than full-term babies, which may be partly her personality and partly a preemie thing.  When she seems overstimulated we chill out a bit and let her process (usually nap) before doing another activity. 

urbanflowerpot

You're doing great! I'm trying to think of what else I do. DS spends time in his little bouncy/prop-up chair to digest after meals. I read to him a lot, too. Longer stories where he can just listen along. Tubby is a nightly routine. Tummy time. Toosh-to-the-breeze - awh, poor summer baby diaper rashes, this is where he gets the fan turned on his skin while he naps for a few hours over my leg. We sit and look out the window together. We walk around the house talking about what we see. Walks outside the home. Art. That's him being a human stamp pad. Listen to music. Slow dance. Rock out. ;D