35 weeks....

[Jellybellyrbest]

Hi there! My DS was born 6wks ago at 35wks. He had BS & jaundice issues which kept us in hospital for a week. His bilirubin levels were always just below the Phototherapy treatment line, but only one square. He had 5 days of phototherapy. Managed to establish BF though he continues to have a Ff every night. He's gaining weight well (13oz one week, then 1oz then 11oz!!) so the HV is not weighing him routinely now. What I'm wondering about is the fact that he's not really responding to us yet: a little awareness this past week... But he's not smiling or cooing at all yet. I know my 3 DDS were all smiling in response well before 6weeks. Is the fact that DS isn't due to his prematurity? Is the. 'Corrected Age' term applicable to this? TYIA

[Dildals]

Yes the corrected age is applicable to milestones such as smiling. The time before 40 wks is 'womb time' really that he is going thru. My baby gave first smile 5 wks corrected.

[Needaninsight]

I'm not sure I'd even consider 35weeks premature?

DD was born at 35+5 and I've never 'corrected' anything for her. Yes, if a baby is born at 24 weeks, then they'll be behind. I'm sure he's just fine :)

[GoatBongoAnonymous]

Yes, another here whose prem smiled at corrected age. I think they also have recovery at this point as well as catching up so energy going on that.
That first smile is so extra memorable! I still remember it with warm fuzziness

[AryaOfHouseSnark]

I know a few people who have had 35 weekers, some corrected their age, others didn't need to. I think, although I don't know, that neonatologists correct ages for anything before 36 weeks as anything after that is considered term. So yes, you might have to correct his age for awhile.
Congratulations btw

[bonzo77]

We were told to correct, and then still expect a delay, as 5 weeks less of intrauterine growth takes longer than 5 weeks to make up. Ds2 was born at 35+5. Smiled at 11-12 weeks, sat at 9 months. It's so relentless having a new born, and feeling like there's no response makes this feel so miserable. And worrying. I think you're expecting too much, too early. Correct his age and think of him as only a week old. But that you've had a head start in most 1 week olds because you've both had 5 weeks of practice!

[bonzo77]

We were told to correct, and then still expect a delay, as 5 weeks less of intrauterine growth takes longer than 5 weeks to make up. Ds2 was born at 35+5. Smiled at 11-12 weeks, sat at 9 months. It's so relentless having a new born, and feeling like there's no response makes this feel so miserable. And worrying. I think you're expecting too much, too early. Correct his age and think of him as only a week old. But that you've had a head start in most 1 week olds because you've both had 5 weeks of practice!

[simonthedog]

My DD2 was born at exactly 35 weeks and we had almost exactly the same situation as you. She started smiling at 11-12 weeks.
Whilst 35 weeks is not desperately premature, it is massively different to a baby born at 42 weeks.
By the way she is 18 months now, she laughs and chatters all the time and is massive!

[Jellybellyrbest]

Thk you all for your replies! That's answered my question & more. My HV was a bit vague about it when I asked ...but said most Prems would be smiling & cooing by now. She went on to say though, that officially he's only 2wks old so meeting milestones isn't 'expected' so not to worry?!?? I'm not really expecting anything TBH. He's my 4th DC, and I know that they're all different & all get there in their own time. But all my other DC were term, so this time I did think development might be a bit slower.

[Aldwick]

Had exactly the same panic with my own 35 weeker and he eventually smiled at about 10/11 weeks.

I think weight etc. was corrected until at least a year.

[MultipleMama]

DS4 is 17 weeks corrected (born at 31weeks) and it's only the past few weeks he started smiling - on the rare occassion. He has only just these past couple days started supporting his own head. I'm not too worried about his milestones. However his twin sister is meeting her actual age milestones.

[minipie]

35 weeks is premature (anything up to 37 is prem)

my dd was born at 34 weeks exactly, so 6 weeks prem, and smiled at 12 weeks.

She has met most milestones at the average age but on a corrected basis not an actual basis - sat alone at 6 months corrected, walked at 12 months corrected etc.

Your HV appears to be talking rubbish surprise

[minipie]

Forgot to say - those first 12 weeks until I got the first smile were really tough. It is tough having a totally non interacting baby (on top of all the other prem worries) and prem mums get that for longer than full term mums. I feel for you.

[Jellybellyrbest]

Thx for taking the time to reply. I hope all your LO are doing well...DS was born almost 7 weeks ago, but was due almost 3 weeks ago (he was 35+2). So does that make him "3 weeks corrected". Sorry; sleep deprivation making me more confused than normal

[MultipleMama]

His "adjusted/corrected" age goes by his due date. For example; if he was due 10th March his adjusted age would be 3+2 weeks :)

[minipie]

Yep, corrected age is the age he would be if he'd been born on his due date.

If he was due almost 3 weeks ago then he's almost 3 weeks old corrected. So on that basis you wouldn't expect smiles yet.

[Jellybellyrbest]

Ok, thx. Yes, a little interaction from him would be nice! But I can see him looking around himself/stopping at sounds now so I'm sure the smiles will follow over the next few weeks. Looking forward to it.

[BobPatSamandIgglePiggle]

Ds was born at 34+6 - was referred to on nicu as prem. His age has been corrected by hv when weighing etc untill he turned 2 last month.

I agree that the newborn stage seems to last longer. Ds was tiny so couldn't tolerate big feeds until quite old so he fed little and often like a newborn.

He was late to smile / sit etc but is ahead developmentally now.

[Valdeeves]

Yep my DS was 35 weeks - and smiled at 4 months old - iwaa so relieved and dazzled by that first smile. My 33 week DD smiled earlier but is delayed at the mo with other things.

[Jellybellyrbest]

Update: DS smiled for the first time on Sunday & has continued to do do since. He's 'cooed' once today....so lovely & I feel that we've finally made a connection. Thank you all for your replies. X

[minipie]

Yay! That's great news.