Yep tell the their corrected age and that she's premmie. My bestie had her twin boys a week after I had DS so even though they are basically the same age they behave and look very differently as they are 4 weeks younger corrected age. The corrected age thing is really important in the grand scheme of things.
Be proud of what you've been through. You've done a great job
We said DS1 was a newborn when we finally got to take him home, it was just easier than telling our life story to every stranger in Coles. Do what works for you.
But, you & her have walked a REALLY TOUGH road to be able to even walk through Coles with her & don't let ANYONE make you feel ashamed of your story! If you don't want to tell everyone, that's your business but Amelia is pretty dang special for having come home after such a bumpy road & you as her Mummy walked an even rougher one.
She's home & your actions, your determination, your love got her there. Nothing will ever change the journey that came before but hopefully one day you can make peace with what happened & feel pride that you both came out the other side.
I am so sorry people are making you feel this way. You have both been through so much these past months and it is the last thing you need. Please don't feel guilty. FWIW my DD is not premmie but had/has severe reflux and my friends dd has an umbilical hernia and she wasn't premmie either.
Hun I get that too, Jett is tiny!! He'll be 6 months old next week and weighs 4.3kgs! So technically underweight for his adjusted age too..It's not always easy, but when you tell the story say it with a smile, tell them she's your miracle baby and how blessed you are to have her in your arms.. That's what I do..
Also I feel better saying 'adjusted' age rather than 'corrected' If your correcting something it means it was wrong. My baby is not wrong he was just early.. I got this analogy from a wise friend who had 27week twins.. I never say 'corrected age'
Oh LysnDan . Please never ever feel ashamed. Tell people whatever you have to, but never feel ashamed. My twins have just turned one and have just reached the 7kg mark. People are forever commenting they are tiny. On the weekend, we took them for their 12 month needles and the nurse walked in and said "Oh no! I was told it was 12 month, not 6 month! I'll have to get new needles out'. We said "No, no it is 12 months' and she said "Are you sure?'. She apologised straight away for being insensitive but people really do say the stupidest things. For a while I got the shopping home delivered so I didn't have to put up with people. Now, I just smile and either nod, or say "I know! It's lovely they are so little. They are like my babies for much longer'.
As for the reflux, my DS had very bad reflux and he was born almost at full term. My DH developed a hernia soon after birth. None of it is your fault.
Please don't let the comments of stupid people that you will probably never see again hurt you. You have your lovely little girl and that is all that matters xx
There's nothing worse than the questions, and having to tell and re-tell your story over and over again. This is true with any painful experience. I find the best way to avoid re-living something painful again and again is to make up a quick standard answer I use on everyone. For example: When anybody asked about DSs birth, I'd simply say "It was a difficult experience but we overcame it together." That was the response for strangers anyway.
Perhaps you could do something similar? eg "She's 3 and a half months old, actually. She came very early and we're lucky to have her here." That should shut them up pretty quick and turn judgement to support.
Remember though, usually people aren't trying to make you feel bad. Most of the time it's accidental. Although why someone would ask if she's ok is beyond me. I personally would never comment on a baby's health or appearance unless I was invited to by the mother starting the conversation herself. Actually, thank you for bringing this up, because I tend to say things like 'Oh, so sweet and tiny' when I see what appears to be a newborn. I should be more mindful and perhaps say 'What a beautiful little one' instead of using words like tiny or teeny.................... to the mum of a prem that could be upsetting. Note to self!
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