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Premature birth

Connect with others and find premature birth support.

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Original poster

When did your prem baby smile?

15 replies

thomsonf · 08/07/2008 10:09

Hi all

My DD2 was born 7 weeks early almost 11 weeks ago (almost 4 weeks age adjusted) weighing 3lb 4oz and spent a month in SCBU. I always knew we would have to wait longer for the first smiles but I am finding it hard now as she is proving to be not the easiest of babies with lots of crying and not much sleep and I am desperate for a smile to get something back and see she is happy at least some of the time. I know I am being ridiculous and she will do it eventually but it is beginning to get me down a bit.

When did your little ones give you that first gummy smile?

I know from DD1 that it melts your heart when it happens so I am getting impatient!

Thanks in advance for any replies

Fiona

OP posts:

BeachBunni · 08/07/2008 10:23

He was about 14 wks corrected. Remember because I'd taken him for his review with his doctor at 12 wks uncorrected and she'd asked me when had he smiled and me and dp worked ourselves up that he hadn't done it yet and thought something was wrong. He's been a bit behind developmentally with everything and at 7 mo corrected still can't sit etc but I know he'll get there in his own time. I know what you mean though as he's a proper giggler now and it makes it all worthwhile to get a bit of feedback.

BeachBunni · 08/07/2008 10:28

Sorry if that's not the answer you want. ds wasn't a very happy baby at the start either and we suffered through weeks of colicky screaming and no sleep. Dp and I were so impatient for that first smile too

missjennipenni · 08/07/2008 10:50

Mt DS was 5 weeks early, and smiled at about 10 weeks. I was like you, waiting for what seemed like forever for that first smile! Both my daughters smiled at about 5 weeks.

Bramshott · 08/07/2008 10:57

DD1 was 7 weeks early, and smiled at 11 weeks - and that was a bloody long 11 weeks!

So hopefully your DD2 will do it soon!

Congratulations!!

DontlookatmeImshy · 08/07/2008 14:32

Ds2 was 5 weeks early and smiled at 11weeks. Have to admit i cried, i was so pleased to see it, Agree it was a loooong 11 weeks.

Original poster

thomsonf · 08/07/2008 15:46

Thank you. Hopefully it will not be too much longer then. The last 10 weeks have definitely been the longest of my life so far. It is such a roller coaster even though she is now home and healthy. I'll try to be patient!

OP posts:

missjennipenni · 08/07/2008 23:28

I was convinced something was wrong with my DS, i was willing him to smile almost daily! So when he finally did it, i was so over-joyed, even more so than my first & 2nd Dds, which is a shame

BeachBunni · 09/07/2008 09:00

I'm glad this thread wasn't around when I was waiting for ds to smile. Looks like he was really late. I would have been working myself into a tizzy.

rascal1979 · 09/07/2008 18:04

my DD was 9 weeks early and first smiled at 13wks old (actual) which was 4 weeks corrected.

But remember all babies are different!

Original poster

thomsonf · 19/07/2008 21:55

Just wanted to share my good news that Heidi has started smiling at 12 weeks actual or 5 weeks adjusted age. It is so special! Your replies helped me realise it would happen eventually so thank you for that.

OP posts:

DontlookatmeImshy · 20/07/2008 00:12

Aww bless. It's so lovely when they smile that first time.

OatcakeCravings · 25/08/2008 18:54

DS smiled at 10 weeks, 5 weeks adjusted age.

vikingmom · 14/10/2010 23:32

my ds was 6 weeks premature she is now about 14 weeks almost 8 weeks adjusted age and she still dont smile,and that worries me a little,=.I know preemies do things later but its taken forever.she doesnt lift her head up very well either when on tummy.She has shunt in her head to drain extra fluid from her head and wondering if that has something to do with it.Any answer will be comforting.By the way I am new in here and I am in Norway.glad to find this.

MrsGS · 15/10/2010 00:04

My DD was 6 weeks premature too and now 13 weeks actual age and still hasn't smiled. She had meningitis when she was 5 weeks old but no further complication after that ( not that we know of just yet). She is still grumpy but there are times that she is wide awake and cooing but still not smiling. I also can't wait to see her smile and become a happy baby.

hildathebuilder · 15/10/2010 09:32

I am not sure if this will help or not, my ds was 11 weeks prem, he smiled at 13 weeks (so 2 weeks adjusted) but then stopped smiling again for at least another 5-6 weeks. Nowhe's a real giggler (he's 32 weeks so just over 4 months adjusted.

He does hold his head up, but its been shaky for the last couple of months and its only really now he can be bothered to hold it for any time. I understand that's quite normal.

In respect of the shunt, DS doesn't have one but I do know a little boy who does who had various problems as a baby (he was either 25 or 26 weeeks when he was born). Now he's at school and while there are still a couple of issues you certainly wouldn't know he was either prem, or delayed in anything, he's a happy and very bright little boy.

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