Pediatrician is "concerned"

Re: Pediatrician is "concerned"

• Leigh71

  November 2010

  You LO is adorable.  Is she looking at his adjusted age? or actual age?

  I was just in the preemie clinic this week and the neonatologist told me that for developmental milestones... to follow their adjusted age.  (My girls were behind in a few areas).  I had to change my ticker to keep track of my girls adjusted age. 

  I talk with my girls and just smile super big.  I also have them look in the bathroom mirror to "see the baby"...and at first they look puzzled...then they are like..."hey...that's a baby!"  I bought a mirror/lighted toy at BRU...it was labeled on the box for ages 6 mos...but I bought it anyway.  when they are having tummy time, I place it close so they can see themselves. 

  TTC for 12 years. m/c 2009. BFP on New Year's 2010.

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• ahava2005

  November 2010

  For adjusted age, I think you're fine.

  Are you being followed by Early Intervention?  As a preemie, your LO would qualify, and that way you can be sure that all the milestones are being reached and the comfort in knowing someone is watching.

  I did EI when the girls were born through 9 months.  They still qualify, but because the state took away funding, the $$ went up 400% and since the girls didn't have any major delays I stopped the service.  They were at or above their adjusted age for everything anyway.

  Assessments from EI are always free.  Whether you enroll is then up to you.  Why not call and get one and see what they think. 

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• ShannonSky member

  November 2010

  10 weeks is pretty early...definitely look at adjusted age (so he'd be about 1.5 mos, right?). At 1.5 mos, DD wasn't doing much of anything. She started smiling right around Christmas, which was just about 2 mos adjusted. Now she's the most independent, social girl I know. She's totally willing to be held by people she's never seen before, and I can just walk away and she'll happily "talk" to them. On the other hand, an EI evaluation never hurts, just in general for kids born that early. I think he's fine, though  

  

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• schtephanie member

  November 2010

  To me that sounds totally normal based on where my son was at that adjusted age.  For C, he wouldn't keep eye contact with us because it was just too much stimulation.  Even now, he has to be set down somewhere to look at you.  If we're walking around, he's looking at too many different things and he can't focus on anyone who's talking to him.  And yes definitely go by adjusted age not actual age!  It's hard not to compare to other babies the same age though.  I have a friend whose baby was born the exact same day as C, and it's so hard to think oh he's doing this already or he's doing that.  Well our babies were just trying to grow strong for the first weeks/months!  They will all catch up eventually.
  

  

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• mommyof4boys member

  November 2010

  I am in a unique position of being a premiee mom and a mom of a child with autism.  It seems as if the doctor didn't take in consideration your son's adjusted age, exactly what the other posters are saying. 

  My twins were born around 8 weeks early and smiled at different times.  One smiled early and one a bit later.  One guy was smiling around 3 months old and his brother around 4 months old (1 month adjusted and 2 months adjusted).  The one who did it a bit later, we believe has Aspergers.  Our younger son was born one hour into his 35th week and is autistic.  He has a genetic syndrome called 16p11.2 duplication which is the root cause of his autism.  He smiled around the 6 week mark but didn't holdhis head up until he was around 4 months old, didn't sit up on his own until he was 8 months old and at 3 years old still can't do it well.

  I know it is easier said than done but please enjoy your baby!  I spent Chris' entire first year terrified of what could have/might have been and I lost an entire year of his life when I could have been enjoying him.  Also now that the shoe is on this foot where we have one child that we know is on the specturm, it isn't THAT bad.  Yes there are days when I want to run away and have a break but I wouldn't trade it for the world!

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• Bippy798

  November 2010

  Based on his adjusted age sounds like you are still well within the realm of normal. Hope he smiles for you soon! It will melt your heart :c)

  A small start at 2lb 9oz, 60 day NICU stay, and 6 months of O2 My 30 weeker is growing up! <a href="http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j320/bippy798/?action=view

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• lemen99 member

  November 2010

  Be sure to adjust the age. I hope LO is okay!
  

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• shugs-n-sweets

  November 2010

  Thank you so much ladies for responding.  You have helped to ease my mind.  My son is 8 weeks "adjusted" - 4 months "actual".  The pediatrician is aware of this but still said she's concerned and that 8 week olds are smiling and holding eye contact 'indefinitely'.  I thought this to be a little odd but she's the doctor.  I'll take it as a grain of salt - for now.  As for EI, yes, we had him evaluated and will be assigned someone soon (budget cuts cost positions available).  Thanks again!!

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