What to expect for the future - baby born addicted to Heroin

[fatbottomgirl12]

Hi All

We are taking Guardianship of a 5 month old. Mother was used heron all through pregnancy. LO is through withdrawal. I have tried researching but it’s very limited about long term effects. Does anyone have experience, what are we likely to up against. Help/advice would be greatly revived.

Thanks in advance

No idea on that one sorry OP. Hopefully someone will be along soon.

Hi fatbottomgirl try asking the question on the adoption boards. There’s a number of parents who have adopted children with a range of pre birth exposure to drugs and alcohol who might be able to help.

From what I remember from adoption training once the withdrawal process is over the long term effect on a baby from heroin is actually less than long term impact of exposure to alcohol. However, if mum was a heroin addict then it’s fairly likely alcohol and other drugs were involved too so there’s lots to be mindful of. Adoption UK has lots of information about all sorts of adoption related issues. Might be worth checking out what they have on drugs and alcohol

Additional learning needs or learning disabilities. You can't predict it unfortunately. His development will be monitored but you won't know for sure until he's around school age. Early indicators are difficulty weaning, not meeting milestones such as sitting unaided, social smiling etc, late to get teeth and late to start talking.

Hi fatbottomgirl12.

I have worked with families in your position. I agree that whether the child will have difficulties later in life is hard to say as substance misuse in utero could lead to a number of different things or the child could be perfectly fine.

The local authority will support you(adoption team) aswell as your support network. Health Visitor, nursery and school.

Good luck xxx

Thanks that what I thought. I know mum was hair strand tested from 3 months pregnant and she had no alcohol in her system, so that's one plus. Baby is currently hitting all milestones. We have decided to be ready for anything in the future but just try and take it as it comes.

Try and find threads by a poster (now sadly passed away) called EarthmotherImnot or EMIN. She cared for a small baby who was born with heroin addiction (if memory serves, It was quite a while ago)

I am an adopter (mother) and my son was born withdrawing from heroin amongst a few other drugs. He is 13 now. if you would like to pm me, please do.

My answers will be mostly positive if that helps at all x

The national association of therapeutic parents (www.naotp.com) have lots of information and resources to support you. They also have a therapeutic parents Facebook group with parents who have had children with similar prenatal issues.