Intro and 35 weeker question

kobicou · November 2013

Hello. I had DD2 at 35w 3d because my water broke. I was a high risk pregnancy due to clotting disorders. Had DD1 at 30w 5d almost 4 yrs ago due to an abruption.

DD2 is 9 weeks old. Came home with me with only 3 days of nicu time mainly under observation. They suspected a seizure on day 1 but it never reoccurred. They werent even sure it was a seizure. We are ebf and gaining weight like champs. But she isnt smiling in response to our clowning around. She has given us random smiles but they are very few and rare.

Please tell me of your experiences and whether I should be concerned at this point.

Mrs. Alice · November 2013

Welcome! I remember my boys who were 28 weekers didn't do social smiles until about 7-8 weeks adjusted. I think if you consider adjusted age, she's only 4 weeks so those smiles are probably just around the corner. I remember that being one of the many things that was so hard to wait long for!

jbranden12 · November 2013

Welcome! I agree with Mrs. Alice, it's probably too soon. Did they do a head ultrasound after the suspected seizure?

firefliesandfjords · November 2013

Hi and welcome!

Is your little girl 9 weeks actual or adjusted? If she's 9 weeks actual, I wouldn't worry. Social smiling typically doesn't occur until about 2 months of age (although 'gas smiles' are common in our house haha). Always look for milestones based on adjusted age, not actual age for a preemie - and even then they might still take a little longer, so even if she is 9 weeks adjusted, I wouldn't worry too much, yet. Every baby is different!

jcsntms06 · November 2013

Congratulations and Welcome!

kobicou · November 2013

Thank you ladies. She is 9 weeks actual. They did a head ultrasound and it was fine. I doubt it was a seizure as we discovered reflux and think she choked on her formula feed (given as my milk hadnt come in yet).

DD1 had bilateral grade 1 IVH that resolved before diacharge. She smiled at 1 week adjusted surprising all of us.

I guess I was so used to handling DD1 by the time she came home from her 45 day nicu stay that this time I feel at sea with no prolonged professional support and advice. I feel totally lost and like a ftm with DD2.