Should I be obsessing?

20 Dec

The girls are not smiling in response to stimuli yet.

To be honest, they are not doing ANYTHING in response to stimuli.

They don’t hardly track at all. They don’t seem to recognize us.

According to the net they should be smiling, cooing, and even starting to laugh all within the first month of life. Now, I know they are preemies, but they are almost 3 months old now! They are holding their heads up and Lennon even rolled over (stomach to back, once).

Am I worrying prematurely?

7 Responses to “Should I be obsessing?”

  1. Leah December 20, 2008 at 6:17 pm #

    Ah, the stress over milestones. I know it well. The only opinion you can fully trust is the pediatrician. Ask them.

    For what it’s worth, both of my kids were late with a whole host of things… my daughter didn’t smile until almost 4 months (supposed to happen around 6 weeks), didn’t laugh until 6 months, never really cooed, never blew raspberries, and even talked late. Now, at 4 years old, she is frighteningly smart and — frankly — never shuts up. Any amount of worry we spent on her was wasted.

    My son is 7 months old and still has only laughed a handful of times. He didn’t smile until almost 4 months either. He does coo and try to blow raspberries but they didn’t come until closer to 4 or 5 months too.

    I can tell you not to stress but that’s a futile effort. Just find a pediatrician you trust and ask them whenever you are concerned. I’m willing to bet that the girls are fine!!

  2. Nix December 21, 2008 at 4:45 am #

    For at least the first 2 years adjust their age for the time they are premature, so your daughters are not 3 months old rather they are 2 and a half weeks old and it is therefore completely normal not to be smiling yet!

    Another hint from one preemie mom to another is don’t obsess about milestones (hard to do and I’m still guilty of it!), they will do it when they are ready. The months for milestones quoted on the internet are sometimes ridiculously low e.g. 5 months prop sitting, 6 months crawling. Better is when they quote a normal range eg walking 9 to 18 months etc.

  3. Ms. J December 21, 2008 at 7:35 am #

    Can you find a pediatrician who specializes in preemies & developmental issues? I bet a neonatologist could give you some recommendations. We have a pediatrician who specializes in internationally adopted kids, including bonding and attachment issues associated with them.

    Ask around, I bet you could find someone who will be an active partner in this as their doctor!

  4. ibcheryl December 21, 2008 at 10:27 am #

    I would not worry too much yet. My babies were born 10/7 at 31 weeks and have just started smiling, no rolling. It will happen. They are using all their energy right now to eat and grow.

  5. Away2me December 22, 2008 at 5:00 pm #

    If you are worried and obsessing, than I would consult someone who specializes in preemies. But to be honest, all babies develop at different stages. My son was an early waker and a late talker.

    But NEVER deny your mommy instinct. If YOU think something is wrong, find out.

  6. jessica ratliff January 3, 2009 at 2:26 pm #

    hey there , well personally i know that it is hard to be around your own babies and not see them smile isaiah is just over a year and he just started smileing about 3months ago. they say that they should start hitting milestones acording to their gustational bday (due date) but even if they dont they will. isabella is much farther aling then isaiah, she rolls both ways will stay sitting if you put her in sitting position, laughs and smiles without much pervocation(?) and entertains her self also hold a bottle. but she is still way behind!! they say she should have been crawling over a month ago (7months gest) but she doesn’t even sit up alone. isaiah doesnt do anything! he has been tracking for a few months now and is starting to but not really bat at things. so i dont think that you should worry it is still early.
    although have you looked in to any first steps programs yet? what it is, is a goverment program that helps infants 1-3 with milestones. it is therepy , once they are behind they usually qualify and it is free. isaiah has it 2 days a week and they come to you so you dont have to worry about packing up everything for a 30-45 min session.
    keep your head upthe smiles will come and even if they dont seem to reconize you, they know you and they know that you love them!
    @–>—- @–>—- @–>—- @–>—- @–>—- @–>—-

  7. annacyclopedia January 3, 2009 at 9:00 pm #

    I have no real good advice other than to both trust your instincts and try to relax. I know, real helpful, right?

    In any case, I’m sending you warm wishes for a happy New Year!

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