Preemies

Actual vs. Adjusted age

My babies are home!! Just in time to be "full-term" (37 weeks yesterday!).

That now begs the question... I know that development is based on adjusted age until they hit 2 where it is all supposed to even out. How does that pan out for things like STTN, transitioning from 3 hour to 4 hour schedules, etc?

The babes are 4 weeks old today, and I guess I'm wondering if it'll be an additional 6-8 weeks before we can transition them to longer stretches at night? What about things like rolling over, tummy time, etc? Do we wait until they are adjusted to be those ages or because they've been out developing muscle tone will they follow the actual age more?

Thanks so much :) We're ecstatic to have them home, just kind of curious where life is going to take us for the rest of the year!

~*~ Nikki ~*~ DS born 2/18/08! TTC #2 since 01/2009 11/01 Round #5 Clomid 100 mg, IUI 11/14, at 10dpiui 11/26 Beta:12dpiui 114 11/29 Beta:15dpiui 755 1/9/10 First U/S: TRIPLETS! 6/20/11 And then there were six... http://andbabiesmakesix.wordpress.com/ Lilypie Premature Baby tickers

Re: Actual vs. Adjusted age

  • 1st that is super exciting that they are home!  Yay!

    2nd, my pedi said once he hits 10lbs (or around 10lbs) that he will start to be able to go longer between feeds.  His volume will be great enough and he will have the fat reserves to last longer.  For us, that probably means 4months actual (2 months adjusted).  

    Born at 31w3d due to severe IUGR & Placental Insufficiency--2lbs 3ounces
    image

    We'll miss you sweet Debbie Girl (4.21.12) and sweet Cindy Girl (8.9.12)
    Lilypie Premature Baby tickers

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  • kck329kck329 member

    Congrats on getting your babies home!

     A lot of this depends on your babies. We were sent home on a strict every three hour feeding schedule of plain breastmilk (no fortifiers or supplements). After 3-4 weeks the pedi said we could move to a feed on demand schedule at night and a few weeks later an on demand schedule during the day once it was clear that C was gaining weight well. Even with the "on demand" schedule, she pretty much eats every 3 hours during the day but can go 5 or 6 (if we are lucky!) during the night now.

    Start doing tummy time and muscle development stuff now. Don't expect them to meet milestones in line with their actual age but our OT says the goal is to have C caught up between 2 and 3 years old. They will likely meet their milestones anywhere between their actual and adjusted ages, depending on the milestone. 

    Enjoy having them at home!

  • Thanks ladies!!

    I hate waking them in the night if they are fast asleep, but I know they still need it at this point. Thankfully with hubby here, the feedings in evenings/night take about 30-40 minutes total, which isn't too darn bad! I know after a very long pregnancy with little sleep, and then a month of hospital bedrest with little sleep, that I will definitely enjoy them just going to a 4 hour schedule!

    Our son actually flipped himself over from back to belly in a fit of rage the other night... I KNOW it was a complete fluke, but still made us laugh. 

    I can't believe 1) They're a month old in two days... and 2) they're HOME. It's still surreal to look around my living room at the three swings and all the baby stuff that comes with them :)

    ~*~ Nikki ~*~ DS born 2/18/08! TTC #2 since 01/2009 11/01 Round #5 Clomid 100 mg, IUI 11/14, at 10dpiui 11/26 Beta:12dpiui 114 11/29 Beta:15dpiui 755 1/9/10 First U/S: TRIPLETS! 6/20/11 And then there were six... http://andbabiesmakesix.wordpress.com/ Lilypie Premature Baby tickers
  • kck329kck329 member
    imagehunt2005:

    Thanks ladies!!

    I hate waking them in the night if they are fast asleep, but I know they still need it at this point. Thankfully with hubby here, the feedings in evenings/night take about 30-40 minutes total, which isn't too darn bad! I know after a very long pregnancy with little sleep, and then a month of hospital bedrest with little sleep, that I will definitely enjoy them just going to a 4 hour schedule!

    Our son actually flipped himself over from back to belly in a fit of rage the other night... I KNOW it was a complete fluke, but still made us laugh. 

    I can't believe 1) They're a month old in two days... and 2) they're HOME. It's still surreal to look around my living room at the three swings and all the baby stuff that comes with them :)

    Happy to help! And I just saw your blog---your family is beautiful!

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