How do you answer "How old is he?"

[SAMarshall]

I realize I won't be taking my baby out in public right away, but I'm wondering- when you take your preemie out and people ask, "How old is he?" (or she), how do you answer? It seems like you'd have to explain to each person who asks that your baby was born premature and he/she is x-amount of weeks adjusted and all that. Is it easier to just say the adjusted age? 

[twinpossible]

I always answered with gestational age but now that the girls are getting older I am giving real age unless we are in baby class ( they are not sitting up on thee own yet and people start asking annoying questions ).

[MadelinesMama]

I just say, "He's 3 months, but he was quite early."  Then I try to change the topic.  I don't want to have to explain it to everyone, but haven't come up with a better answer yet.  We don't go anywhere other than the dr's office, so I haven't had to say this too many times yet.

[SAMarshall]

Thanks for sharing. I guess I'll just play it by ear. I don't really talk to strangers anyway, so hopefully it won't come up often. I just don't want to go into a lengthy explanation every time it comes up. 

[twinpossible]

Originally Posted by SAMarshall 

Thanks for sharing. I guess I'll just play it by ear. I don't really talk to strangers anyway, so hopefully it won't come up often. I just don't want to go into a lengthy explanation every time it comes up. 

HAHA, that's what you think ;) As soon as you go out in public with an adorable little baby everyone wants to know everything about that baby, "How old is he? Is he your only one?" on and on. Then again, I have twins so maybe that's why I get SO much attention. I trade off between a smile and nod but then I ignore them and a one word response but quickly making an exit. You do not need to explain ANYTHING to anyone, just smile and nod.

[WednesdayO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMarshall 

I realize I won't be taking my baby out in public right away, but I'm wondering- when you take your preemie out and people ask, "How old is he?" (or she), how do you answer? It seems like you'd have to explain to each person who asks that your baby was born premature and he/she is x-amount of weeks adjusted and all that. Is it easier to just say the adjusted age? 

In casual passing, I used DD's adjusted age until almost 2 years old, mostly because of developmental consistency. In the beginning though, she was on oxygen and people in the grocery store or out for appointments would ask more questions when they saw the cannula etc.