Hi! I haven't been on here in a long time it seems. My bgg triplets were born December 17th 2010. We all stayed in the hospital for a week. One baby came home with me, one the next day, and the smallest a week later.
The wieghts were 4-9, 4-10, 3-11.

We have all been doing great! At about 8-9 months my husband and I started to notice the smallest triplet not doing things that the other two were doing. Developmental delays I guess you could say. Now at 11 months old, the other two are setting up, crawling.. Actually starting to try and take steps, and the wee little one isn't. She will "army crawl" all over the house. She goes everywhere like that. But she has very poor balance. She will set up some alone but will just fall over after a while. She is noticeably smaller than the other two. Her legs and arms are shorter. I am short so at first I thought she might be too. But I think there is more going on then that.
Her feet also have always turned outward. Kinda weird. She will stand on them with help. Loves standing at the sofa.
I've ask the dr. She's not concerned about not crawling, but is about setting up. She recommended early intervention services. I have a appt Tuesday. I want to know what's going on and from what I understand the E I people don't tell you those things. I'm just so worried! I've had a friend drop the words cerebral palsy to me and that scares me to death!!
Have any of you had this happen to one of your babies? What do they have and how does it effect them? Then and now. I need advise, guidance... I'm scared!

My experience with Early Intervention was that they did a VERY thorough evaluation and told me exactly what they felt the issue was and how we would work on it. I think you will get some great information. Good move on being proactive!

My GGG are all at different stages of their motor and speech development.They are 16 months adjusted and only one is walking well - one like Frankenstein and the third is still only able to crawl. She began 4-pt crawling around 14 months adjusted. We took her to a private physio while we waited for Early Intervention - the physio has been great and given us a lot of tips on things we can work on with her...it's made a difference. We've just seen Early intervention after about a year on the wait-list...frustrating! Anyway, if you can take advantage of services available, I highly recommend it...

We've just started some speech therapy through EI as well...

Anyway - write down your questions and don't be afraid to ask when the opportunity arises....

Good luck!

Janet
G - 12/07 35 weeks
GGG-04/10 30 weeks

If you are concerned I would definately get her evalutated by early intervention and get a referral for Physical therapy. Maybe she just needs a little help. They aren't even a year yet. I had only one walk by 1 year the other were 13 and 14 months.

Good Luck
Lisa bbg
30 weeks

Early Intervention has been super for us. I hope you get the answers you need at your appointment. If not, I'd go for a second opinion and ask for a physical therapy referral or consult.

DS born 5/15/06 @40+ weeks 7 lbs 12.5 oz
BBB born 9/13/10 @ 31 weeks
3 lbs 4 oz (33 days in NICU)
3 lbs 3 oz (49 days in NICU)
3 lbs 4.3 oz (45 days in NICU)
http://doublethelanglais.blogspot.com

Our state EI program is great about telling you everything that they're doing and the parents are always welcome to accept or refuse services and are welcome at any meeting where their child is being discussed.

I would really get their help with things, you'll be reassured if it really is nothing and if it is something you can get her the help that she needs.

One thing, I've noticed is that with my triplets, I can't help but compare when they do things. One of mine is consistently behind the other two on everything by a month or two. If she was a singleton I wouldn't think anything of it, but because she's constantly with two other babies that are supposed to be at a similar developmental stage it worries me.

Good luck! I hope she's just doing things in her own time.

Morgan
M 17yo
J 5yo
C 3yo
GBG triplets born at 29wks in Jan 2011!

Update: We had our first visit from our EI for the full developmental screening and to decide what, if any, help my kiddos need. The people were phenomenal and completely put the ball in our court. Together we decided that our boy needs some PT for overall muscle tightness in his body and speech therapy for him being so behind in vocalizing (we've already had his hearing screened again), one of our girls (the one with a syndrome) could use some PT also and the other girl really doesn't need much, but she will be monitored since they'll already be in the home for the other two.

I don't know about other states EI programs, but ours is "coaching based" meaning they come however often I want and teach me how to do the therapies, that way it keeps us more involved and keeps costs down for them.

Morgan
M 17yo
J 5yo
C 3yo
GBG triplets born at 29wks in Jan 2011!

My friend, when it comes to concerns like this, ignorance is NOT bliss! I am glad you are having her evaluated.

There is a wide range of "normal" when it comes to walking. My boys were born at just under 32w. My boys began walking at 14 - 15mos. One of mine had difficulty sitting, there were some very simple exercises we did with him to help. One was to sit him on top of a stability ball (the kind you might use to do crunches). I'd hold my hands at his hips with him in a sitting position and would gently roll the ball side to side and forward and backward. His body would naturally adjust, helping to develop his core/sitting muscles.

Another exercise was to sit him in the corner of a laundry tub with lots of fun toys in front of him. Again, he'd lean forward to get a toy and it worked those muscles.

Regarding cerebral palsy, there is such a range from mild to severe. Again, ignorance is not bliss! If, in fact, she has cerebral palsy, the sooner you find out the sooner she can begin therapy! I know a girl with cp, she is now a junior in HS. The only time her cp becomes evident is if she is extremely tire. She competes in HS lacrosse and is an active and healthy high schooler.

Good luck, I understand worrying and I, too, would worry but you will be so glad when the eval is over. I think, in most states, children qualify for state funded services until they are 3 years old - another reason to get evaluated sooner than later!

Marie

I had all of mine evaluated by EI and they were great. They did a through job and told me exactly what was going on. What I have been told about walking is that a child does not need to crawl to walk but they need to sit. This is probably why your DR is not concern with her not crawling but not being able to sit for long periods. With that said mine did not sit until they were almost 10 months or 7.5 months adjusted. Mine also did not start walking until they were 12.5 months-15.5 or 10 months -13 months adjusted. When you get her evaluated by EI ask them questions that worry you. They will be happy to answer your questions, that is why they are there.