Warning- potential stupid FTM question

KatieBlondie27

So I've had my boys home for a little over a week now.  They are 4 weeks old today  It seems to me that our days are basically sleeping, feeding, changing, repeat repeat repeat.  I try and work in a few minutes of tummy time when they're awake and I hold them when I can.

 My question is, are there other things I should be doing right now to help their development and make them happpy? I feel like I'm just going through the motions but they're still so little and young.

sail123

You are doing everything right

If you want to add in something new, you could show them a colorful toy or book. You can also sing songs with repetition (the wheels on the bus etc).  This stuff is probably more for you than them but I did enjoy doing these things. 

sail123

actually, I just remembered that at that age, they are more receptive to black and white images. You can order some baby books with black and white images for them to look at.

KatieBlondie27

sail123:

You are doing everything right

If you want to add in something new, you could show them a colorful toy or book. You can also sing songs with repetition (the wheels on the bus etc).  This stuff is probably more for you than them but I did enjoy doing these things. 

 

Thank you  Looks like your twin boys were born at 33 weeks too!

sail123

KatieBlondie27:

sail123:

You are doing everything right

If you want to add in something new, you could show them a colorful toy or book. You can also sing songs with repetition (the wheels on the bus etc).  This stuff is probably more for you than them but I did enjoy doing these things. 

 

Thank you  Looks like your twin boys were born at 33 weeks too!

Yes! I was glad I made it that far. My guys are 10 months and doing great and are so much fun. I do miss that little tiny newborn phase though....sigh  

urbanflowerpot

They're in that phase for a while! I always felt like I should be doing something but that's what he needed. You can put him on his belly - show him black and white images like PP suggested. My DH and I made bl&wh animal flashcards ourselves. Play music, read stories, sing songs. I also had a baby-safe ink pad and made lots of footprints - like on cards/stationary for friends and family. Handprints are harder cuz they curl them up Anyway, I think that was a good sensory experience.

urbanflowerpot

Them - not just 'he' sorry! Still sleepy!

KatieBlondie27

I must say, they are pretty stinkin' cute  I still need to get their pictures taken.  They are on monitors for bradycardias until Dec 14th so I'm hoping they don't get TOO big before then.  I want to wait till I get rid of the ugly wires. They've already gone from 4lb 8oz and 4lb 9oz to 6lb5oz and 6lb 6oz in just a month!!

haziedaze

We brought Henry home at 35w corrected and now 6 weeks later we still feel like we're very much in that repetitive routine. I just let him sleep between feeds in the beginning- they do lots of important brain development while sleeping. Now he's looking around more and spending a little more time awake after some feeds. He does enjoy black and white images when we can catch him awake. It's also fun to make faces at him and see if he can mimic them. We also take lots of walks for my sanity. The newborn phase lasts a long time with preemies- but remember to enjoy their snuggly tininess while it lasts!