Someone reassure me

Log in / Sign Up

List of Forums + New Post Recipe Box Usergroups Following My Posts Bookmarks

Private Messages Advanced Search Rules New User Guide FAQ Advertise Contact Us

Forum -> Parenting our children -> Infants

Someone reassure me

View latest: 24h 48h 72h

amother

Mon, Dec 05 2022, 9:32 pm

My baby is 3 weeks old born 3 weeks early. So technically supposed to be born this week. She doesn’t do anything. I put her on the playmat, she looks past the toys. I hold her and she doesn’t focus on my face, she just looks past it. I put her down for tummy time and she doesn’t even try to lift her head. I dont remember my others being this way. She reacts to light and to pain and noise and she will follow if I can get her to focus. She also has blocked tear ducts so don’t know if that’s affecting her at all. I’m just not sure if this is normal or not and I’m freaking out. Im not a first time mom, idk why I feel like something’s not right.

Rachel Shira

Mon, Dec 05 2022, 9:36 pm

I don’t know much about preemies but it doesn’t sound crazy to me considering she was born early and is still only 3 weeks. I would keep an eye out for how her development continues but not stress about it now.

justforfun87

Mon, Dec 05 2022, 9:36 pm

Calm down mama! I also have a newborn and was googling away. These skills aren't expected until appx 6 weeks especially eye contact.

amother

Dill

Mon, Dec 05 2022, 9:39 pm

It’s really early for any 3 week old. But add a month on to all milestones for your baby and only worry at that point.

amother

Hibiscus

Mon, Dec 05 2022, 9:39 pm

Relax your baby is all right!
My baby is 3 month old. He didnt do any of the things you mentioned at 3 weeks.

amother

NeonOrange

Mon, Dec 05 2022, 9:39 pm

I had a baby who was three weeks early. Pretend the baby is born now and adjust accordingly. My baby also had clogged tear ducts and eventually had tubes in the eyes to open them. Mazel Tov and good luck!

amother

Sunflower

Mon, Dec 05 2022, 9:41 pm

My babys were all overdue and don't do anything for quite a few weeks. They sleep, eat, go back to sleep, space out a little and back to sleep

hodeez

Mon, Dec 05 2022, 9:41 pm

Sounds totally normal, you're probably just hyperaware of what baby can't do because of her prematurity.

amother

Mon, Dec 05 2022, 9:48 pm

hodeez wrote:

Sounds totally normal, you're probably just hyperaware of what baby can't do because of her prematurity.

Thanks for all the reassuring responses! Funny thing is that I don’t even consider her premature as I’ve had one even earlier than that, but I guess she really is and I have to adjust her age…

amother

Amaryllis

Mon, Dec 05 2022, 11:33 pm

amother OP wrote:

Thanks for all the reassuring responses! Funny thing is that I don’t even consider her premature as I’ve had one even earlier than that, but I guess she really is and I have to adjust her age…

By 3 weeks early you mean a 37 weeker? You dont need to adjust for her age in that case. It's considered full term, not premature.

amother

Cornsilk

Mon, Dec 05 2022, 11:36 pm

I had afew babies at 37 weeks, it's not considered pre mature or even early. It's considered full term.
OP, at 3 weeks, baby isn't really supposed to do anything you mentioned. They're still very newborn. They're supposed to eat, sleep, cry, poop/pee.

happytobemom

Mon, Dec 05 2022, 11:40 pm

I had most of babies early, but not preemie.
I remember one baby who wasn't gaining wait, and I saw a lactation consultant who helped me out a lot. She told me how we're not used to treating the early babies differently, because officially they're not premature. But the fact is, they were early!
She was very into labeling them as "early babies", just like preemies are labeled preemies, because they deserve extra attention too!
I found that most of my babies perked up around their due date.
But honestly, the things you mention sound very normal for any 3 week old!
Mazel Tov, don't worry, and take care of yourself!

happytobemom

Mon, Dec 05 2022, 11:40 pm

amother Amaryllis wrote:

By 3 weeks early you mean a 37 weeker? You don't need to adjust for her age in that case. It's considered full term, not premature.

It's officially full term, it's not premature, but there's something in between - just an early baby who needs some more time!

amother

NeonBlue

Mon, Dec 05 2022, 11:57 pm

amother OP wrote:

OP, everyone is right for calming you down, baby is probably fine.

That being said, one thing I've learned is to trust your mama's intuition. it doesn't hurt to reach out to your pediatrician or another specialist and ask what they think.

Page 1 of 1