Please share your top tips for caring for a baby experiencing neonatal abstinence syndrome ( drug withdrawal)

[Gingerbics]

Just wondering if anyone has any advice to share. We are putting a session together for new foster carers who are looking after these babies and thought some 'real life' experience based top tips/advice would really help. Many thanks.

This post was started some time ago by the very experienced EarthMotherImNot and though it is a while since I read it I believe it may have some helpful info there.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/fostering/922821-drug-dependant-baby-advice-needed

Sorry link not working, will try again later on laptop. It is on page 2 near to the bottom and if someone can post link that would be great.

here

Thanks x

Be prepared - stock up your cupboards and freezer in advance if you know baby is coming as its difficult to get out to shops at first (baby will be too sensitive to the noise and light of a supermarket)

Get a baby sling if you don't have one - most NAS babies like the closeness of being held (although conversely some also hate it and can't tolerate being touched)

Most like swaddling - much tighter than you would a "normal" baby

Sleep when you can!

I always make a chart up counting down the days from 100 - those first few months can be very difficult and seem never ending, a chart is a visual reminder that this WILL improve. Things don't magically end after 100 days either but routines, medicines etc are all usually in place by then.

Get some earplugs! Walking the house with a squealing baby (and they do have awful cries) is much easier if the noise is reduced a little.

Investing in a good wrap sling (my moby wrap was invaluable).
I also found swaddling really helpful.
Be prepared for projectile vomiting....
Take one day at a time, it is one of the hardest, but most rewarding things I have done!

Yes to the swaddling and sling....the wrap kind as threeand counting says not a baby bjorn. Music seemed to help but it might have been my imagination....I don't remember much about those days cos of lack of sleep!

Thankyou so much for all the practical tips you have shared, they will be passed on to carers who will make good use of them

It may be worth contacting the local Community Drugs Team to give a bit of background insight into the parents and the challenges they face, treatments, role of CDT etc.

Thanks VQ, great idea and would be great to find out about that aspect too. Thanks again I'll look into that!

They are generally pretty willing to talk to other caring services, and will likely give a slightly different perspective on things. Child protection is always their top priority, but their specialist knowledge will hopefully add another dimension. Foster careers are likely to see them at various meetings, so hopefully would help ease fear on their behalf too. Substance use services can be quite misunderstood at times.