Drug Baby

[grandmom]

Heroin

What can I expect?

Where do I find reliable information?

7 weeks old. Starts tomorrow.

Thanks.

[pfund2233]

Tremors are to be expected and while they can look very scary they are usually part of the withdrawal process. Sometimes the screaming goes on and on and it seems like nothing you can do with soothe this poor innocent victim whose every nerve is raw, and every muscle taunt with pain. And while you’re filled with empathy, your nerves are fried.

There are a few things you can do from day one to help soothe. First dim the lights or keep them off. Bright lights can be very painful and over stimulating. Get rid of the noise. Speak in whispers, lower the ringer volume on your telephone; keep the television and radio off. If you have other children don’t let them play in the same room or area as your drug exposed baby. The baby feels safer when swaddled and those sensitive body parts are protected from your painful direct touch.

Avoid eye contact with baby. Direct eye contact tends to be very upsetting to drug addicted newborn. Try not to take drug addicted baby into public where all the things you are trying to avoid are like bright lights and lots of noise.

Make sure your baby is eating. Drug exposed babies are usually smaller and have a lower birth weight. They start off not eating much at a time, sometime between half an ounce and a full ounce can be enough to fill their tummies so they need to eat approximately every two hours.

If you need a break, have someone take baby so you can rest. The baby will probably scream if you’re in the room or not in the room anyway, so take twenty minutes to regroup if you need to.

Hope this helps some and good luck... your doing a GREAT thing!!

[KEG123]

Wow poor babe.

[daycare]

wow so sad...But this is why I love this site...See someone has some great knowledge and advice...Glad someone can help you...

Good luck to you and the little one. My hat goes off to you mama for taking on such a challenging experience....

[nannyde]

Is the baby still detoxing? Is he/she on detox drugs?

[grandmom]

nannyde,

My understanding is he was on morphine for 3 weeks in the hospital to get off the heroin. He was here today, calm, quite, no tremmors. Likes to sit up. Had his hands crossed and tight for a while, but then relaxed and they opened.

I was hoping you'd respond to this because I'm sure you'll have great advice. I looked on a web search, but didn't find much. Where do I find the reliable information?

[grandmom]

Also, carried full term, over 7 pounds at birth, over 11 now.

[nannyde]

nannyde,

My understanding is he was on morphine for 3 weeks in the hospital to get off the heroin. He was here today, calm, quite, no tremmors. Likes to sit up. Had his hands crossed and tight for a while, but then relaxed and they opened.

I was hoping you'd respond to this because I'm sure you'll have great advice. I looked on a web search, but didn't find much. Where do I find the reliable information?

There is a doc in Canada that is an expert in drug affected babies. I think it is Dr Frye. There's also a specialist here in Des Moines. Her name is Rizwan Shah.

[Nellie]

With the hospital knowing about the addiction they have probable gotten him through the worst part. They wouldn't have let him go home unless he was medically safe. The baby will do better in a quite, calm, and dim environment. No flashing lights from a tv, toys, ect. Swaddling the baby will help in terms of comforting. Some babies have a strong **** reflux and a pacifier will help when they are not eating. Others may have a weak **** and eating may be difficult, but I would think that the baby wouldn't have been discharged unless he/she was eating proper amounts and gaining weight. Rocking may help sooth baby. Try not to overstimulate the baby. If baby still has some slight tremors; baby will probably need to eat more than an average baby at that age to gain/keep weight on(because of calories burned with the tremor).
I have never taken care of a child born addicted to heroin. I have worked in the hospital setting where there was a couple of children born to mothers on Suboxone and Methadone. I know that the WD is alot less sever compared to a baby born on herion. But this was my experience.

[momofsix]

Our youngest was born drug addicted. They helped her through withdrawal in the hospital (which should be common practice!). She really did great and was a joy to take care of. She was a bit "stiff" (muscles didn't seem to relax) and we did some massaging that worked wonders. She also has some "impulse control" issues that developed as she got a bit older-a harder time controlling herself, listening...not anything unbearable though
She's 14 now and such a beautiful young lady, we're so proud of her! Besides ADD and some slight difficulties in learning she is doing wonderfully! I wouldn't expect any or many problems with your little one unless you've already been told of any by the parents.
(the only "bad" part of her doing so great is birth mom thinks the drugs didn't effect her at all-so no harm done)
Thank you for being willing to take care of this little one!

[Blackcat31]

Tremors are to be expected and while they can look very scary they are usually part of the withdrawal process. Sometimes the screaming goes on and on and it seems like nothing you can do with soothe this poor innocent victim whose every nerve is raw, and every muscle taunt with pain. And while you’re filled with empathy, your nerves are fried.

There are a few things you can do from day one to help soothe. First dim the lights or keep them off. Bright lights can be very painful and over stimulating. Get rid of the noise. Speak in whispers, lower the ringer volume on your telephone; keep the television and radio off. If you have other children don’t let them play in the same room or area as your drug exposed baby. The baby feels safer when swaddled and those sensitive body parts are protected from your painful direct touch.

Avoid eye contact with baby. Direct eye contact tends to be very upsetting to drug addicted newborn. Try not to take drug addicted baby into public where all the things you are trying to avoid are like bright lights and lots of noise.

Make sure your baby is eating. Drug exposed babies are usually smaller and have a lower birth weight. They start off not eating much at a time, sometime between half an ounce and a full ounce can be enough to fill their tummies so they need to eat approximately every two hours.

If you need a break, have someone take baby so you can rest. The baby will probably scream if you’re in the room or not in the room anyway, so take twenty minutes to regroup if you need to.

Hope this helps some and good luck... your doing a GREAT thing!!

Great information pfund2233! Sounds as though you have had some experience with this type of situation. Thank you for sharing!

[grandmom]

Thank you guys. So much helpful information. I'll ask the foster family if they've been told these things too.