HOW TO CARE FOR DRUG EXPOSED INFANTS

I found this article on the internet while desperately looking for information that may help us cope with our little one's meltdowns. Some of this may be helpful with others who are experiencing these symptoms, but most of them have been unsuccessful for us.

HOW TO CARE FOR DRUG EXPOSED INFANTS

There are as many as 750,000 infants born each year to mothers who used drugs or alcohol during pregnancy, according to the National Resource Center for Respite and Crisis Care Services. While most of these children will turn out just fine, the first few weeks and months of life may present some distinctive challenges for both baby and caretaker. Drug-exposed infants tend to cry more, have more difficulty eating and sleeping and may require more overall care than other children.

Step 1

Provide a calm, quiet environment for your baby. Choose soft-paint colors and minimal lighting for your baby's nursery. Drug-exposed infants cannot tolerate stimulating environments.

Our foster daughter sleeps in our room, which is dimly lit and calm (aside from her).

Step 2

Massage your baby. A gentle massage can help comfort your baby and ease irritability.

She doesn’t seem to enjoy massages at all. Just recently she has begun to allow us to stroke her arm, head, and face gently, and it seems to relax her a bit.

Step 3

Swaddle your baby in blankets. Many drug-exposed infants find it soothing to remain tightly wrapped. Consult a doctor or health-care professional about proper swaddling techniques.

She has been swaddled every night since she has lived with us. Even for daytime naps she cannot stop her arms and legs from moving for long enough to sleep.

Step 4

Rock your baby as much as possible. Place your baby in a swing or carry her in an infant carrier when you cannot rock her.

She hates every swing we have tried, and rocking does not seem to help.

Step 5

Limit the number of caretakers for your baby. Drug-exposed infants do best with consistent care and familiar faces.

This is why she has never been in daycare (even though I am struggling to complete my college coursework while caring for her 24/7)

Step 6

Give your baby a warm bath when she seems anxious. Warm water works to soothe the nerves.

She does seem to enjoy baths or showers with foster mom, but this is not always convenient during busy days when she has a meltdown.

Step 7

Take care of yourself. Caring for a special-needs child requires stamina and energy. Make sure you eat right, get adequate rest and ask for help when you need it.

This is simply not an option. Paul and I are both full-time college students. Paul works a full-time, very demanding job. We are foster parents to 3 children under 6 years old (two of which have severe behavioral issues) and parents to Paul’s biological children (17 and 20), one of which lives with us. We are very limited to who can care for the children and respite care is not always available. We cannot even do our monthly grocery shopping without taking all 3 kids with us. Our own well-being is last on the list, unfortunately.

Step 8

Allow your baby to use a pacifier to soothe herself. Even if your drug-exposed baby has a weak suck reflex and struggles to maintain a grip on the pacifier, she will likely find this activity soothing.

She doesn’t always want the pacifier, but we allow her to have it when she does, and almost always during any sleep time.

Step 9

Feed your baby small, frequent meals. Drug-exposed infants may require more calories than other infants to compensate for increased activity levels.

She is definitely a hungry baby. She eats when and however much she wants.

Step 10

Talk to your baby's doctor about medications to control withdrawal symptoms. According to Children's Hospital Boston, a doctor may use methadone to ease the pain of heroin or opiate withdrawal in drug-exposed infants.

This is our next step. Up until now, the pediatrician has brushed us off with statements like, “Some babies just cry a lot.” Or “It sounds like normal colic to me.” We’re sick of it. This is not normal, and if she doesn’t take us seriously at the next visit, we will start shopping for someone who will. Paul and I would prefer not to medicate her if possible, but watching her in this much distress is not working. Also, we cannot continue to succeed in anything if we don’t alleviate some stress soon.