Could it be an early sign?

[MrsOakes99]

Hi, this is my first post, hope im doing this right?

So my DD is 6 weeks old tomorrow, she was also born 6 weeks and 1 day premature meaning her due date is in 2 days. She was born at 4lbs 7oz and was in NICU. Now, i work in a nursery setting, i understand children grow at their own rate and every child is different, but im starting to question my LO. Ive never had a newborn and not many people I know have had premmies, so i don't have anyone to ask?

Around 4 days IN NICU she began lifting her head back with alot of strength when wed be doing kangaroo care. She also would occassionally use her arms to push back off me and quickly mastered that.

At 4 weeks 2/3 days she began to use her legs to get herself where she wants. She would use them to push herself up my body during tummy time. It began as a reflex but now at 5 weeks 6 days she almost uses them everytime we cuddle to push herself up my chest, same with dad.

At 5 weeks 2 days she learnt how to roll over, she tucks her knees in and uses her arms to roll onto her front. Shes never gone from front to back but i think its because she likes it on her front?

At 5 weeks 5 days (yesterday) she started to push up on her arms to look around, moving her head from side to side and can do this for about 5-10 seconds before flopping on my hand (which is placed worringly between her head and the surface). Yesterday was also the first time her gaze followed my eyes/head, i kept moving side to side and she concentrated for about 30 seconds looking at my face. Her eyes followed me left to right and right to left.

Lastly, yesterday night she had a hyperactive burst for 3 hours straight, she was lay on my chest and "playing" with her lips against me, coo-ing and flaring her arms and legs. She wasn't hungry as she had a feed and rejects it when shes finished, i kept offering thinking that could be why but no? It was amazing to watch my little 6lbs 3oz baby using her arms to push herself up and look around, at me or reach to nuzzle my face.

Am I overreacting or should she -not- be able to do these things yet, where is the muscle mass? What is going on, is this all normal? I guess I just want some advice on others babies and if this is normal as im waiting to see the health visitor and dond want to sound like an idiot.

Also, DD has been combi-fed by bottle from birth and is a big eater, roughly 200ml extra a day.

There are very occasionally some really super strong newborns who can lift their heads and even roll over. it's nothing to worry about, normally they forget and relearn but sometimes they continue to do it.

We're just bumping this for you, OP, in the hope that someone else will be along with useful advice soon.

Best of luck.

Thank you!

Hi OP,

My full term DS was very similar. He lifted his head immediately after he was born (after they placed him on my chest). The midwife commented on it as it’s unusual but not particularly rare. In fact another lady in my NCT found the same thing with her daughter. He was also a very early roller and was pushing himself up on his arms at a similar time to your little one.

I can’t pretend I didn’t worry and mainly had concerns that it was an early indicator of high muscle tone. At 8 weeks he had a full check over by my GP who was confident it was natural strength rather than because of high tone/ tight muscles (ie he had full range of limb and joint movement, no evidence of spasticity, was very relaxed at other times although would go stiff as a board when crying.) He is 2 now and definitely has no muscle issues. He was always early with his gross motor skills and is a slim but very strong toddler. Impressively strong actually but perfectly within the realms of ‘normal’.

Your health visitor will likely recommend you see your GP if you’re concerned it’s a medical issue. Might not be a bad idea to put your mind at ease.

Thank you, im so glad to hear that ♡