premature baby?

Question

My daughter was almost 7 weeks early and was intensive care for a bit until she was able to feed on her own instead of a feeding tube. Some people have told me that premature babies usually have a learning disability. Although she is a little behind on her development the specialist said she is doing well since she was early. Should I be worried about her learning ability in the future or is it just none sense.

Answer 1

The only problems my friends have with their preemies is that they are just a little behind. Think of it this way - my friend was due in November - had the baby in late July. So, technically he was still five months in utero -just because he was born at five months gestation doesn't make him a 'normal' baby. He is behind other children "his age" b/c he still had a lot of developing to do to even get to a normal birth size. Does that make sense? I think that is what people mean when babies are behind in development. A normal baby is born with everything formed and ready to work - some preemies still aren't fully developed and need that extra time.

I hope your daughter continues to thrive. Don't put too much thought into her development - she'll catch up! Conner, my friends son is a completely healthy and normal four year old now that's he's all caught up!

Answer 2

Some premies DO have some developmental or learning delays, but some don't. There's no way to predict, but you need to keep a close eye on her milestones - make sure you keep up with her scheduled well exams, because that's one thing the doctors check for at the exams, and any problems can be caught early. If there is an issue, don't delay acting on it.

My friend's son was a 26 weeker, he's now 11 years old and you would NEVER know he was a premie - especially THAT premie. He's got no issues whatsoever.

I know a former 30 weeker that has all kinds of issues - starting from feeding delays and gross motor delays.

So, there is no way to predict. I hope your daughter continues to do well! Best of luck to you both!

Answer 3

I can only say that not all premature babies have learning disabilities in the future. My brother was born premature 22 years ago, when we didn't have the advances in medicine that we do today. He is going to school to be a lawyer. He is a very bright young man. When he graduated from high school is class rank was 10 out of a class of 354.

Not sure if this was a mircle or what.

Answer 4

I work with premature babies, and most babies born after 28 weeks will have no cognitive impairment. There are some helath risks, especially for the first year, such as RSV and asthma so watch for that. When looking at your child's development remember to adjust for her prematurity, so if she is 5 months old, you would actually expect her to be doing what a 3 months old is since she was about 2 months early. Once a child is 2 years old, we stop adjusting their age.

Answer 5

Hi Tammy,
I work on a Neonatal unit and it is normal that your daughter be a little bit behind with her development but she will catch up. If she was discharged and no problems were mentioned then i doubt she has learning disabilities, this is just ignorance of other people who dont know what they are talking about. Of course there are never any guarantees and its not something anyone ever knows about there baby, whatever gestation, until later on. This is more likely with babies who are extremely prem so perhaps people are getting confused. As your baby was only 7 weeks early i dont think you have anything to worry about. Ignore them and enjoy your little one x

Answer 6

I have worked before in the nursery,normally sucking reflex of babies usually established around 34 weeks.Sucking evaluation is usually done before feeding.I think it would be safer to have tube feeding first to prevent aspiration and avoid wasting to much needed calories.While doing the tube feeding we also provide non- nutritive feeding by stimulating sucking reflex using the pacifier,then the baby will be syringe fed and then bottle fed with a premature nipple then will try breastfeeeding with mother.Developmental milestone of your baby will be assessed by your Pediatrician regularly.Sometimes learning disabilities would happen if your baby has chromosomal defect,cerebral palsy or intracranial hemorrhage that is severe.

Answer 7

total NON-SENSE my niece was very early born at 27 wks gestation 21 years ago a miracle baby the doctors said.. She has since graduated high school with no problems right on time and now is married and a mother herself, she also gave birth to a premature baby at 29 wks. he weight 2lbs. at birth and he is now almost 2 and he walked early at 10mths and can do everything any other 2 year old can do he has even outgrown my 3 yr. old son, his only delay is talking but the doctor isn't worried at all...

Answer 8

It is not nonsense, as many premature babies are that way because their mommy smoked, drank, had poor nutrition, etc. and THAT affects their learning in the future AS WELL as being born early.
However, if you took good careof yourself, and it was a fluke or a medical problem that made you deliver early, you baby will most likely be fine. There is always a chance, though, with premature birth. If your doc says shes doing good, then take his word on it.

Answer 9

My brother was 2 months premature and grew up totally normal. Premies will take a little longer to develop but it shouldn't be too bad...maybe her doctor can recomend an Early Intervention counselor to come into your home and work with you and you daughter on her development.

Answer 10

Premies have 2 ages, their actual age (the one that counts from the moment of birth) and their (I forget the technical term) age from when they SHOULD have been born. All of your premie's milestones and such will be based on the SHOULD have been born on date rather than their actual age. It will be like this until about the age of 5 I think.