Re: preemie-l new to group
C. Hewitt (hewitt@cyg.net)
Sun, 9 Jun 1996 00:51:10 -0400
>Hello, my name is Sharyl. I have a 2 1/2 year old Keith. Keith was born
>at 24 5/7 weeks. I am interested in learning about other preemies that
>seem okay at this age. (No surgeries, no glasses, etc.) How long till
>we will know if he is truly normal and okay?
>Now that we spent all the money on Preemie clothes, I can't just sell
>them at a garage sell. What have others done with the clothes?
Hi and welcome. Glad to hear of your good outcome. I like your question,
it leads to one of my favourites. "Define Normal".
Is your son being seen by a low birthweight clinic or developmental
paediatrician? The clinic here follows babies for three years. Then if
they are "normal" not further follow up is done, or if they still have
problems they are seen privately by a developmental paed. The cut off I was
told it when they start school age. 4 or 5 depending on the area. If
they do not have any problems then, they are normal for sure, no matter how
grey your hair is.
Generally they look at walking, talking and fine motor skills as the main
areas for delay.
As for clothes, I am in a really crazy mood. You know how your
mother-in-law always tells you "oh you should save those clothes for your
next baby", IT DOESN'T APPLY TO PREEMIES. Save 'em all for memories, I
like the teddy bear idea, or just a box with all the rest of the preemie
memories. Maybe someone you know will have a small or preemie baby, not on
purpose of course, and you could give clothes to her. That's a nice
feeling.
Catherine Hewitt
Mom to Alex 25week preemie and almost 4, communication delay for lack of a
better label and Spencer NDA and a typical 2 yr old.