Hi I wonder if any old timers out there with toddlers that were once premature babies can advise me. My son is now 3 years 4 months and was born at 34 weeks. He did not need ventilation and was discharged home after 10 days in SCBU.
His development has been normal in all areas except one. He has weak gross motor skills and poor balance. It is not really bad like you would notice it when he walks or anything, but he can't really jump at all and definitely can't jump off a small step. He falls over at least 5 times a day and when he falls he doesn't compensate or break his fall so topples like a tree. He can't stand on one leg and only started running a couple of months ago. He walked at 18 months. Nursery has commented that he cannot use pedals on the trikes or balance on a plank without holding someone's hand. It is not majorly obvious but he is starting to fall further behind his peers. I also have noticed a huge difference between him and my younger son who is now 15 months and has better balance despite normal toddler precariousness. He always breaks his falls and lands on his bottom and never seems to get bruises like my older son.
By contrast my son's fine motor skills are fine. He can hold a pen and cutlery and use scissors.
Really it is only becoming an issue because my son is starting to get very fearful of parks or soft play places- anywhere that is physical where he could fall. The fear is rationale really cos he does get so many bruises from falling over.
I just wondered if this is par for the course for prem babies and whether we should have it looked into or am I being over-anxious and he will catch up later?