Sensory Issues?

[ShelbyLC]

I saw a post today on Facebook by Graham's Foundation and it got me thinking.

The post was a question - "Have any of you noticed your preemie have any sensory issues? My 31 weeker (who is now 4) has always been very sensitive to sound but very in need of touch. I find it curious since the 6 weeks in the nicu were very loud but also very isolated. I'm wondering if this is true for other preemies."

There are a lot of comments/replies of people telling all the sensory issues their preemies have/had. I was just wondering how common it is and if any of your preemies have/had these things?

Light, sound, texture sensitivities? I'm worried now - when would things like this show up?

 

[25weeker]

I am a member of another form and on it there seems to be a lot of prems with sensory issues and a lot of the parents have said it is as their children have got to around school age that they have noticed they have little quirks which they think are a result of prematurity. However it hasn't stopped their children coping in school and being happy.

I have to admit it worries me too as my lo is only 3 so I keep watching out for things. However I try to keep myself calm by reminding myself that these little things should not stop her having a happy & healthy life.

 

[Foogirl]

I've never really thought much about it. Abby is sensitive to a lot of loud noise. She also is quite a touchy feely child. Whether this is down to preemie or not, I have no idea.

I am wondering though, if there had been a general Facebook question asking these things of anyone with a child rather than just with preemies, whether there would have been a lot of similar responses. I was at the stage here where I keep trying to work out whether things are preemie related or cerebral palsy related, or whether we'd have the same issues without all of that. To be honest, I've kind of decided it doesn't really make a difference whether it is related to anything or nothing, just deal with it and move on. It's actually made life a little bit easier for me! As well as that, with everything else she is affected by which definitely are related to Cerebral Palsy (a result of her prematurity) some sensory issues are the least of our problems!

 

[dizz]

Erin doesn't like loud noises - to the extent she'll get really upset if you cough or similar. When we're ALL recovering from a really stinky cold and onto the chesty cough portion of this... it makes life fun!

 

[emaritska]

Oooh it never occurred to me Ethan's dislike of loud noises could be because of being early. Like dizz said he hates loud noises, coughs, sneezes, postman delivering loudly etc and becomes very upset

We were also discussing last night that he isn't a cuddly baby at all he won't snuggle in and cuddle like jack would at this age. If he is crying and I pick him up, he will quieter down most of time but not cuddle....and sometimes I can't even calm him :/

 

[Foogirl]

Emaritska, Abby was like that, right up to 18 months. We soon learned the cuddles were just to make us feel better sometimes she needed to just get it out of her system. I can happily report we have the cuddliest wee girl ever. You'll get there, just don't get stressed that you don't seem to be able to calm your LO.