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The Adventures of Motherhood with Twin Boys
The Adventures of Motherhood with Twin Boys
Love, Hugs, and a few Tears
Member Since: February 01, 2008 Last Signed In: February 21, 2010 Blog Views: 6113 Send To A Friend Sign Guestbook Add as a Friend
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First visit to the Sutter Developemental Clinic
This week was our first visit to the Sutter Developmental Clinic. I knew before we attended, that my twins were somewhat delayed. They just started sitting up without support last week. Lucas will only roll from his back to his belly to the right. Brodie will only roll from his belly to his back to the left. Each twin was examined by a pediatric physical therapist and nurse practitioner to assess the extent of any developmental delays resulting from their premature birth. According to the physical therapist, Brodie is significantly more delayed in his physical development than Lucas. Brodie was and still is the smaller of the two. The good news is that even though they have some delays, both twins are developing within the low range of normal statistically for their corrected age of 6 1/2 months. We were shown a physical therapy program to implement at home in order to help our twins develop their upper body strength, increase their flexibility, and learn the proper body movements so they can roll and transition to crawling. Part of the program requires avoiding the following: They aren't allowed to stand more than 15 minutes per day. We should avoid using Exersaucers or Jumperoos. We aren't allowed to pull them up to a sitting position by their hands. We can't carry them around in any type of front pack, ie. Moby Wrap, Baby Bjorn, etc. The program recommends the twins spend a majority of their awake time playing on the floor. When we place them on the floor, we are suppose to put them down on all fours, giving them the opportunity to use their arms. We are suppose to help them practice the proper way to roll from their back to belly and visa versa, using their arms to push up from lying on their belly, and learn how to transition their movement from their belly and back to a sitting position.
All week I worked with my kids, following the recommendations of the physical therapist. At first the kids were really upset. They weren't use to spending so much time on the floor. But by the end of the week, the were use to it. They have already improved. On Friday, Lucas rolled from is his back to his belly and then rolled from his belly to his back all by himself! Brodie is using his arms more and holding his head up higher when he plays on his belly. At first I was in shock and very upset about the outcome of our visit. But now that I've been working with my kids all week, and they are already improving, I am really encouraged. Plus we are having fun playing on the floor. I realize how important floor time is. Before long, they'll be rolling and crawling just like the rest of their baby friends. I love watching my kids grow up! 4 comments from 4 users
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posted by
hmoeckli
on Apr 12, 2008 at 09:51 AM
My daughter, who was also a premie, also struggled to sit up and to roll over. In fact, she rolled over once when she was 5 months and that was it until she was over a year. Just didn't do it. She waited until 11 months to crawl. My husband and I were concerned, but she was still in the acceptable range, just low. Now, she has completely taken off and is way ahead of her peers in terms of coordination and strength. It sounds like you are doing a great job with your boys! posted by
Rinkus68
on Apr 12, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Awesome! Way to hang in there! It's so hard to hear that our kids aren't "average" or above. Good for you to prove they're right on track!!!
posted by
kellimwheeler
on Apr 13, 2008 at 08:25 PM
Wow, interesting blog. I realized I don't have any friends whose kids were premies -- a new perspective for me. How wonderful to read your babies are thriving now and have a mommy that's willing to push through the rough patches to get to the sweet spot on the other side. BTW, What does corrected age of 6 1/2 months mean? posted by
mom2twinboys
on Apr 14, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Corrected age is used in evaluating a premature child's development progress. The corrected age is calculated according to the child's original due date. My twins original due date was September 22, 2007. But they were born 5 1/2 weeks early on August 15, 2007. Physicians use the corrected age usually until they are about 2 - 2 1/2 years old. By that time, the behavior gap between their corrected age and their birth age should disappear.
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