25 month old premature twins late walking and talking, anyone similar?

[Bobbieiris]

I have 2 year old twins (25 months) and I am getting so worried. One has been walking for ages while twin B cruises a lot, takes a few steps in her cot quite often and a couple of days ago took a couple of steps in the living room, but not completed since. She just has not interest in walking. I try to encourage her to walk with me but she just sits down! Sometimes she will walk with her walker but we live in a small house so not much space for her. They are at nursery, started a few weeks ago. She just cruises there too.
Also, neither are talking. They both say bye bye. Twins A says 'it's ok" and "daddy" but other than that just a lot of babble.
They were born at 30 weeks. At their last neonatal review the doctor told me it was nothing to worry about and that premature kids are just sometimes late with milestones. I am very sleep deprived as myself and the twins are all ill at the moment so I'm worrying even more than usual. I'm going to contact their neonatal team next week for advice. Anyone else have this experience with premature kids?

This is late and I wouldn't let yourself be brushed off by that doctor. They should be meeting milestones based on their corrected age - so broadly 22.5 months - which is still way later than the point in which you'd be concerned with a term baby at 18 months. You dont want to miss the support they might need and find it is a longer harder journey down the line regarding physio etc. My HV was very helpful at getting me a referral into physio for my prem baby - for data, I have two, one 32 weeks who walked at 15months/13corrected (girl) and one currently 12months/10corrected (boy) who will be going by 12m corrected I'm sure, currently cruising, pushing a walker etc. Advocate and push - you deserve support x

They both need full developmental assessment.
Then targeted support.
Why were they prem?
any genetic testing done?

Yes I’m confused why they weren’t referred onwards. It doesn’t mean that something is definitely wrong, kids can walk and talk late and catch up fine but they do need to be checked out.

I dont know why they were premature it was just spontaneous labour. Common with identical twins i guess. The consultant just said it was normal for their prematurity but I am worried. I feel so upset when I take them to toddler group and every other kid is so far ahead. I was a month premature and a little late with everything but I just can't not worry

You are right to be worrying. You need to push for onward support. X

My grandson has hypermobility in his ankles and was over two before he walked independently

It’s not necessarily anything to worry about because they were preemie but worth asking for a professional opinion, you can always cancel if they suddenly develop before the appointment happens

Thank you for the comments. I think I've just got myself worked up into a state as im so sleep deprived from them both being ill. My older brother is disabled (DS) I love him very much and wouldn't change him for the world, he's great! But I feel like he just isn't valued or given the support he should have to live a fulfilling life. My mum is almost 80 and still fights so hard to advocate for him. That's what I think im so scared of. Also I desperately want another baby but worry this wouldn't be fair on the twins.

I'm going to call their team on Monday and see if I can arrange an appointment. Feel silly for being up all night in tears when I could be catching up on sleep as girls are finally sleeping!
I try to talk to my partner about this but he just says that we will love them no matter what. He will then usually ask if my period is due or if I need to go back on sertraline (I was on it for a year after the girls birth as struggled with the shock of the birth and the long NICU stay)

Mine were like this, prem identical twins they did get diagnosed with hyper mobility and need physio and also Speech therapy they are 12 now and do still have some minor additional needs however they thrive in mainstream secondary school, one is an amazing middle distance runner and the other dances and performed at Disney land Paris last year so it hasn't held them back in the long run! They have just needed extra help and a bit of time to get there I would push for further support mine walked at 23 and 25 months and you cannot tell now at all.

Feel free to ask anything x

@clareykb thank you. So nice to hear your twins are doing well! I will ask again from neonatal team for support. I my ever seen a HV once, they dont seem to exist where I live. It's hard not to worry as a parent isn't it, especially when sleep deprived! My girls have recently started nursery and they said they will refer on to health professionals if any worries. When did your twins start speech therapy?

To be on the safe side I would push OP, but I also wanted to say it is probably fine: get some sleep!

Delays can be very normal for some children, even those who were not premature, and very often they catch up and even overtake later on.

"It's ok" is such a cute thing for your LO to say - and they are right! It's ok Mum: they are your own precious little people just doing things in their own time.

But do get them checked again - and don't feel bad about being assertive.

About 2.5 I think for SALT and physio was from about 20m was referred by my HV .. I did have a very good one which I recognise lots of people don't! Their nursery did support with Speech etc and when they went to school nursery the year before reception they referred to an Early Years Intervention team who supported with communication etc going in to school
Now they are extremely chatty and never stop!