When do you use actual vs adjusted age for preemies?

I am just curious about the adjusted age thing and if you always go by that or if their actual age is used for some things. My main concern is for the teeth. Their adjusted age is 6 weeks, actual 12, is it possible they are cutting teeth? I read another post on this that says it is possible, but I don't want to be over looking another cause for the teething-like behavior. ... and for how long do you adjust their age?

 

I am just curious about the adjusted age thing and if you always go by that or if their actual age is used for some things. My main concern is for the teeth. Their adjusted age is 6 weeks, actual 12, is it possible they are cutting teeth? I read another post on this that says it is possible, but I don't want to be over looking another cause for the teething-like behavior. ... and for how long do you adjust their age?

 

I'm curious too. I know that their vaccinations go by their actual age and that's about all I know for now. My pediatrician uses two growth charts, full-term & preemie to note their progress. The babies themselves seem to follow the adjusted age for milestones.

 

I don't think they'd be cutting teeth. For stuff like that, I'd go by adjusted age. When my babies were 6 weeks adjusted they were SUPER fussy. Later I read that babies reach peak fussiness at 6 weeks and if you have preemies, that is 6 weeks adjusted, not actual. So that explained it all, I was at the end of my rope, I wish I had read that before it happened, not a few weeks after when all the fussiness had passed.

Mona

 

At first I went by their adjusted ages for most everything, and the pedi had them charted on a preemie chart based on their adjusted age.

Around 4 months (2 months adjusted) they reached the regular growth chart and started catching up on milestones. Today we pretty much go by their actual age, with an occasional adjustment if necessary.

Grace got teeth at around 7.5 months actual...Lily still has none at 9+ months.

 

Personally I go by their actual age for things because that is how old they really are. If someone asks how old they are I tell them almost 11 months. If they comment on how small they are I will tell them they were born 3 months early. I did have one lady one time after I said that say "oh so they are really like 6 month olds" (this is when they were 9 months) and I said "yes that is their adjusted age" and she said "then why don't they just say they are 6 months?" I told her because they are not 6 months old, they are 9 months.

My pedi. uses adjusted age for milestones. Basically everything else they used their actual age for. They chart their weight and growth on the actual age scale, even though they've always been on the low end, they are on the charts for their actual age. We get their vaccinations at their actual age and all of their well visits are at their actual age. The only thing they have used adjusted age for is milestones, and some of the feedings. We did wait an extra month to start cereal and fruit/veggies (but didn't wait until they were at the correct adjusted age) and we are waiting until 1 year to introduce milk, whereas he usually starts introducing milk at 9 months like we did with my oldest DD.

So really they pretty much go by actual age. They are trying very hard to get them caught up. They are still on the preemie formula for the extra calories to help with weight gain.

As far as milestones go, they are really not that far behind the curve. They are both crawling and can pull up to their knees.

As far as teeth go, I wouldn't think they would be cutting them at 12 weeks. My oldest got her first 2 teeth at 4 months (I had 4 at 4 months) my DS go his first at 7.5 months and #2 at 8 months, he is now cutting 3 more for a total of 5. My DD got her first at 9.5 months and #2 at 10 months, whether they got them because they are the actual age or it was their adjusted age, we will never know. Teeth aren't too important that way. I know some full term babies who don't get any teeth until after they are 1.

So to answer your question, I personally go by their actual age for everything except milestones (if they need the extra time ).

 

If your pedi is adjusting for prematurity, you do to. That's why you'll sometimes see people with 2 tickers (max allowed on the site) that show actual and adjusted for their twins.

My pedi told me that it's not teething if they are just drooling and chewing on their hands. There has to be the blisters getting close to popping. She said it makes people feel good to have a reason for something and like to blame it on teething even though it's not. For what that is worth.....

IF YOU SEE tapioca like blisters forming on their gums, then YES it's teething!

Hope they feel better!

 

Fussiness peaks at 6 weeks of age or 6 weeks after the due date ... I am waiting ... hopefully it will pass soon!