How are Preemies different?

[katerdid]

Sorry if this is such a silly question, but how will my late term preemie (born at 35+5wks) be different than a full term baby? Should I expect him to hit his development milestones a little bit later on? What does the "adjusted age" mean and how does it all work?
No one at the hospital or at the pediatrician's office has mentioned anything about it, so I don't even know if being early will even affect him that much.

 

[PleaseBaby]

I think alot of i comes down to how early they were and the individual baby. With later prems I dont believe it makes so much of a difference x

 

[lozzy21]

Adjusted age is how old the are based from their due date.

Baby's born at 35 weeks usually weigh around 5lb and quite a lot only require a very short stay in hospital. Developmentally you may notice there first milestones are a little late but by the time they are 7/8 months you won't be able to tell the difference between your baby and a baby born at term the same age.

 

[lozzy21]

Dident realise you had already had your baby, ignore the middle bit

 

[NashiPear]

I had a little one born at 38+2 and my little one now is 3 weeks and was born at 36 weeks. I think it can really depend. My boy was a really good size (nearly 7 pound) for gestation and didn't require any special care which was a possibility. I think I do cook them up faster though.

There is a difference I noticed. My little one has a weaker suck than his sister did. He was also sleepier and had to be woken up for feeds. They both to some extent acted a little premmie (my earlier one more so) and it was work to get the jaundice out of them (they were borderline and almost required lights), get feeding and weight gain established. Some of it may be specific to me too.

So I think feeding, temperature regulation, sleeping/sleepiness are the main ones. I had to be more proactive and it was more work. I ended up giving some bottles as he was a bit worn out with feeding and was often too tired... so expressing and even some formula top up (my supply struggled to begin with). Lots of doctor's check ups in the first few weeks too (because we were out of hospital).

Apart from that, he is doing incredibly well and doesn't have the usual premmie hurdles to get over. Most of the challenges he had were very short term. I feel very blessed as doctors had prepared us for his arrival at 24 weeks after waters were leaking. So relieved to have held out so long. Premmies and their parents have a rough road and I really admire them

 

[jojo-b]

Hello!

My son was bron at 34+2 and is now nearly 9 months (7.5 corrected). I think it really depends on the baby, and the main advice that we were given by our paediatrician is that there is more difference between any 2 babies than between any 2 groups of babies (e.g. prem Vs full-term)!!

Having said that, it is important to remember that they have missed out on some vital 'developing time' inside, even if they are late prems. Because of this it's important to consider their adjusted age (what they would have been if they'd been born at the right time) when you think about development. That way you will realise that they tend to be doing quite well, and usually there's no need to worry.

My little boy smiled at 11 weeks (5 weeks corrected)...but sat unsupported around 7.5 months (6 months corrected) and has been able to bear his weight on his legs from very early on, so I think like any baby they can be slow on some things and quick on others...and they do 'catch up' as time goes on. I just make sure I think about his corrected age if I think he is being a bit slow! If they are small, physical milestones may take a bit longer...but things like language development should be about the same because they've had the benefit of being out and socialised for longer.

I've found it a bit confusing at times to get my head around all the guidelines etc, as there is so little info around especially for later prem babies - just remember you are the expert on your own baby and if there is anything you are concerned about then don't be afraid to bring it up with someone.

 

[katy1310]

I think as the others have said, it very much depends on the baby. I don't have any experience of a "later" premmie, as Sophie was born at 27 weeks, but 35+5 is a really good gestation x

 

[pinkneon]

Adjusted age is how old the are based from their due date.

Baby's born at 35 weeks usually weigh around 5lb and quite a lot only require a very short stay in hospital. Developmentally you may notice there first milestones are a little late but by the time they are 7/8 months you won't be able to tell the difference between your baby and a baby born at term the same age.

I dunno ... My baby was born at 35 weeks, and was 4lbs 8oz. She is now 10months old but has only just learnt to roll and sit and still often falls over when sittting. She doesn't roll much anyway, and often looks shocked when she does manage to do it! At her last check up (when she was 9months old) she wasn't rolling or sitting, and they said she was physically functioning the sae as 3-4month old I almost cried when they said that!

 

[Mrs_Random]

My LO was 35 weeks and for the first 5/6 weeks of his life all he did was sleep so to me I can't count these as developing weeks but more catching up on his growth he missed out on by being early.

I do sometimes forget he was a prem and sit and think why isn't he doing this or that and then have to sit myself down and remind myself he's not being working on everything for as long as some baby's so yes, he may be a little actual age older to hit his milestones.

 

[kiki04]

I had a little one born at 38+2 and my little one now is 3 weeks and was born at 36 weeks. I think it can really depend. My boy was a really good size (nearly 7 pound) for gestation and didn't require any special care which was a possibility. I think I do cook them up faster though.

There is a difference I noticed. My little one has a weaker suck than his sister did. He was also sleepier and had to be woken up for feeds. They both to some extent acted a little premmie (my earlier one more so) and it was work to get the jaundice out of them (they were borderline and almost required lights), get feeding and weight gain established. Some of it may be specific to me too.

So I think feeding, temperature regulation, sleeping/sleepiness are the main ones. I had to be more proactive and it was more work. I ended up giving some bottles as he was a bit worn out with feeding and was often too tired... so expressing and even some formula top up (my supply struggled to begin with). Lots of doctor's check ups in the first few weeks too (because we were out of hospital).

Apart from that, he is doing incredibly well and doesn't have the usual premmie hurdles to get over. Most of the challenges he had were very short term. I feel very blessed as doctors had prepared us for his arrival at 24 weeks after waters were leaking. So relieved to have held out so long. Premmies and their parents have a rough road and I really admire them

Is your first one really considered a preemie? I have always been told after 37 weeks is full term??? At that point it becomes mainly lung maturation

 

[EmSmith1980]

I think NashiPear was comparing the difference between her full termer and her preemie.