Premature babies not imitating

[mumto3littleones]

Hi guys,

I delivered premature twins at 26 weeks who are now 1 year 3 months (Actual Age adjusted 1 year). They were both in NICU for over 100 days but thankfully have no serious physical issues.

I am concerned that whilst they turn their heads to their names, have pretty good eye contact and gesture to be picked up, neither will really imitate noises or gestures. They will occasionally wave back or bang the table when we do but that is about it.

Is this normal or should I be concerned? I have read that babies would normally be imitating at 9 to 12 months. Our friends' full term one year old (born when our twins would have been born) is much more engaged with people and imitates everything.

Being premature they are at risk of developmental delays and ASD.

Any experience shares would be much appreciated. Thank you so much in advance - worried mummy

As an immediate action, please do have their hearing checked, children who have glue ear etc, don't hear enough of the world around them to be able to communicate as well as their peers.

Delays meeting milestones can be normal for some premature babies/toddlers. Do you have follow up with the neonatal clinic? Communication delays in multiples is also more common - either because one becomes more dominant than the other(s) or because of how they communicate with each other.

Thank you both. Hearing seems ok as they turn when you walk in and also to their name most of the time which is a good sign. Just very little mimicking which I am told is the foundations of development. They do love passing things to me however which again I think is a good sign. Just hard when you see other kids this age copying everything and laughing a lot more.

@mumto3littleones

Thank you both. Hearing seems ok as they turn when you walk in and also to their name most of the time which is a good sign. Just very little mimicking which I am told is the foundations of development. They do love passing things to me however which again I think is a good sign. Just hard when you see other kids this age copying everything and laughing a lot more.

It is important to get your babies hearing check. Hearing loss is a spectrum- which typically starts form mild, moderate, severe and profound. Children with mild hearing loss may hear the car of the sound hooting but cannot hear those low level fricative sounds/e.g., sh/s

I would get your HV to refer to speech and language and get your GP to refer them for an hearing assessment.