My premature baby does not seem to look at my face or follow objects, should I be concerned?
My baby was born 10 weeks premature and is now 14 weeks, 4 weeks past his due date. He does not make eye contact or seem to notice my face at all and only follows moving objects, such as watching the ceiling fan. He has not smiled yet either. Should I be concerned?
My nephew was born at 29 weeks and he did the same thing. He loved lights and fans but never seemed to notice our faces or even want to look at us. He will be a year old in 2 weeks and he is fine now. He notices our faces and he is always smiling. It just takes time because they were born earlier. They still need to develop certain things. I hope this helps 
August 1st, 2009 at 10:25 am
WHY ARE YOU ASKING US? TRY A DOCTOR…..
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August 1st, 2009 at 10:34 am
Ask your doctor.
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August 1st, 2009 at 11:16 am
It sounds like you are concerned. Trust me, consulting with your doctor is a better idea than anything you get from any of the clowns here.
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August 1st, 2009 at 11:54 am
So really he’s only about 4 weeks, right? You need to adjust his age because he was born prematurely. At 4 weeks he won’t be focusing on you or following objects. My baby is just over 3 months and he’s just NOW starting to focus a lot better and follow objects as long as you’re moving them slowly. Do not worry, it will come.
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August 1st, 2009 at 12:00 pm
My son was two months premature, he did the same thing. Now he is one and is completely normal! He is doing everything he is supposed to do.
But if you are to concerned then look into the places that deal with behind babies. Your child’s pediatrician should know someone to take the baby to.
Good luck
EDIT: By the way you can say he is supposed to be 4 weeks. But saying that he is 4 weeks doesn’t make much sense, you won’t be reffering to him as a earlier age his whole life so reffer to him as being early.
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Mommy of a premature son
August 1st, 2009 at 12:40 pm
All newborns, even full term ones, can’t see very well at all. It’s like looking through glass with Vaseline smeared on it for them. Your baby is following moving objects because he can see the movement of something, although he has no idea what it is. Smiling in infants is generally gas, so be thankful you don’t have a colicky baby. I know it is hard. The premature birth makes you want to make a big deal out of everything, but I would relax. If he is 5 years old and still doesn’t recognize your face, then you’ll have a problem. One day, in the not too distant future, you will be looking back on this and laughing about how worried you were.
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Mother of a premature son and 8 years working in a newborn nursery
August 1st, 2009 at 12:56 pm
No I don’t think you should worry at all at this stage. Your babies sight hasn’t fully developed yet. He will not be able to focus on objects yet, don’t worry. Maybe you can get the doctor to check him out to put your mind at ease.
Babies don’t smile when they are new born either! Do you have any friends with babies , they will be able to give you advice on all these worries.
Becky
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August 1st, 2009 at 1:22 pm
No you should not. He is only 4 weeks old! (according to his adjusted age). Most babies don’t smile until 2 months of age. Don’t worry about the looking either that will come with time.
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Nursing student, worked in a NICU
August 1st, 2009 at 1:41 pm
I don’t think so. Many premature babies continue to develop at their gestational age up to 2 years after birth. Because of this your baby’s gestational age is 4 weeks, which is a little soon to be smiling. I can honestly say I don’y remember when my son (4 weeks premature) started looking at my face. Since you are concerned, I would bring this up to your doctor mext time you see him. Good luck!
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Mommy of a 6 month old
August 1st, 2009 at 2:22 pm
my sister just had a baby (the cutest one i have ever see) and she is eight weeks now, not yet smiling and very recently it looks like she might be focusing on things, so eye contact is not happening for a while. i know my niece can’t yet see stuff farther then 3 feet away (no ceiling fans). and the only smiles she has had yet have been gas. it’s cute but babies are pretty gassy.
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August 1st, 2009 at 2:49 pm
My nephew was born at 29 weeks and he did the same thing. He loved lights and fans but never seemed to notice our faces or even want to look at us. He will be a year old in 2 weeks and he is fine now. He notices our faces and he is always smiling. It just takes time because they were born earlier. They still need to develop certain things. I hope this helps
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