Why Does my Baby need to "Catch Up"??

[sunnylove]

I have been wondering this and I don't understand it. Why does my baby need to "catch up" on his growth?? I understand he's really 5 months old (2 months old adjusted) but he is exactly where he should be. He's not supposed to be like a 5 month old, so I don't know why he needs to "catch up" on those 3 months he lost not being in the womb? He's not "behind," he was just born at 26 weeks instead of 40 weeks. According to the time he was conceived, and his due date, he's exactly where he should be so I'm so confused as to why he needs to "catch up"??? Any insight?

 

[SabrinaKat]

It's not necessarily to 'catch up' per se, but rather so they (the doctors, medical professionals, etc) can determine that they are developing at a 'normal' rate and if there are any problems or issues, can step in and assist before it becomes a major issue.

In my case, LO was born a month early and was in NICU for 13 days, so not as long or difficult as yours, BUT his development is/was slower in some areas (walking) and knowing and remembering his adjusted age, helped me be less stressed. I am also fortunate that the creche he goes to (part-time) also d oes observations and development check-lists and when I took him to the public health nurse for his 20-month checkup, it was very helpful as he refused to participate in any activities and just stared at her (my OH thinks he remembers her poking at his boy bits the last time she saw him!) and he now runs, climbs, talks and plays like other children 'his age' (and has very good dexterity with his hands)....

Essentially, if your LO is where he should be for his adjusted age, then smile nicely at whoever says 'catch-up' and remind them of his adjusted age...

hugs!

 

[sunnylove]

I understand the whole actual and corrected age thing. But I've heard a lot of people refer to "catch up" growth and even him being "behind" which to me, is not correct at all because he's exactly where he should be based on his due date??

 

[25weeker]

I don't think it's so much catch up but as they get older everything slows down a bit and levels out. For example my daughter is 4 in Jan and at this age there isn't much difference developmentally between her and a child born in April but a 4 month old and 7 month old have big differences. Height / weight in a lot of cases is the same but in our case my daughter is still small and light but she has always been rubbish at gaining weight.