In caring for your baby after leaving The Medical Center NICU, keep these developmental milestones in mind, from your baby's perspective.

When I first go home:

• Remember my stress signals; I still may get overstimulated. Overstimulation can interfere with my growth and development.
• Help me work on my day/night patterns. Keep it light in the daytime and darker at night.
• Remember my immune system is still not mature. I may get sick easily.
• Monitor how much I eat so I can gain weight. I may need stimulation and cues/assistance to eat well. For example, you may have to unswaddle me, feed me on your knee instead of at your chest, tap my toes, change my diaper.

0-2 MONTHS

• I am learning to establish relationships and build trust in my caregivers and environment.
• I am working on my day-night patterns.
• I am working on being more awake and alert.
• Remember I can only see black and white (color development does not develop until approximately 3-4 months of age)

4 MONTHS

• Lifts head at least 3 inches off floor when on belly
• Turns head side-to-side and to sound
• Plays with and watches hands
• Smiles spontaneously
• May laugh, chuckle
• Holds hands open instead of fisted
• May reach for toy or object

*These are general guidelines, all infants develop differently and milestones vary.

CORRECTED AGE

Always consider my prematurity when looking at milestones. Subtract how many weeks old I was when I was born from 40 then subtract that by how many weeks old I am now.

Example: a child born at 36 weeks who is 8 weeks old now
40 (full term) - 36 (gestational age at birth) = 4 wks
8 weeks (chronological age) - 4 weeks (adjustment) = 4 weeks corrected age

*Please consult your pediatrician regarding questions related to corrected age; this can be confusing. 

*Corrected age is only used until 2 years of age when assessing developmental milestones.

DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES

0-2 MONTHS

• Encourage day/night patterns, keep environment lighter in daytime and darker at night.
• Provide visual stimulation with black/white images, toys
• Allow lots of supervised tummy time
• Make sure my basic needs are met so that I will feel secure.

2-4 MONTHS

• Encourage me to hold my head up when you hold me and when I am on my belly
• Provide visual stimulation or talk to me on both sides to encourage me to turn my head side-to-side
• Let me lay on my back or sit up and practice looking at my hands
• Hold toys out in front of me to look at and reach them

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF I AM NOT REACHING MY MILESTONES?

Notify my doctor of any concerns that you have if I am not reaching milestones. My doctor my refer me for an evaluation to formally assess my development.

Services Available

• Physical Therapy - may work on muscle strength, balance, walking
• Occupational Therapy - may work on reaching, sensory issues, self help skills
• Speech Therapy - may work on speech/language development, swallowing

Where can I get these services?

The Medical Center Rehabilitation Services: 745-1015

The Medical Center Home Care Program: 745-1381

First Steps Early Childhood Intervention: 1-800-643-6233

Commission for Children with Special Needs: 746-7816

Regional Child Developmental Clinic: 843-8284