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Original poster

drug dependant baby, advice needed

734 replies

EarthMotherImNot · 03/03/2010 15:20

I've been asked to foster a baby expected to be suffering drug withdrawal when it is born next week.

It is years since I've cared for one of these and any advice would be most gratefully received.

OP posts:
Original poster
EarthMotherImNot · 28/01/2011 14:15

Aitch we have another lo here so not totally aloneSmile

He is a 4 month old relinquished baby so he won't be here too much longerSad another month maybe and we get to go through this all over again.

Gluttons we are areShock

OP posts:
Aitch · 28/01/2011 14:33

gawd, you are MENTAL. Wink

Original poster
EarthMotherImNot · 28/01/2011 14:36

so not in a jacket that fastens up the back kinda way thenWink

OP posts:
Aitch · 28/01/2011 14:40
Original poster
EarthMotherImNot · 28/01/2011 15:05

the mark of a true friendWink

New mum had asked me before lo moved if we'd seen the little "cruising shoes" she'd bought for her and we'd searched high and low with no joy.

She was fine about it but I felt bad that they were missing but was sure they were not here.

Just got the buggy out and lo and behold the damn things are sitting there looking at me Hmm

Dh is wearily making his way to the post office again (sigh)

OP posts:
headfairy · 28/01/2011 15:42

Emin, you've made me really cry - and I'm supposed to be at work Blush

What wonderful brave people you and your dh are. Your rewards will surely be eternal. I do hope your Ladybird has the most wonderful life with her new mummy and daddy.

Off to fix my mascara :)

iwastooearlytobeayummymummy · 28/01/2011 21:33

I've been thinking about you all week, infact for many months, when I first 'lurked' here.

You and all the other fosterers are just the most amazing people.

pissedrightoff · 29/01/2011 02:20

Just wanted to say again EMIN that I have been thinking about you and yours this week.

Original poster
EarthMotherImNot · 29/01/2011 11:07

Thanks again everyone.

Just came back on to say I've stripped the cotSad

I had a cuddle and a sniff of her duvet and, eventually forced myself to put it in the washing machineSad

I had a little weep and now I'm pulling myself together and looking for my stiff upper lip, must be around here somewhereHmm

Many thanks again everyone, you got me through another one.
Smile it's wobbly but still Smile

OP posts:
TmiEdward · 29/01/2011 12:03

Earthmother, I am so SO in awe of you and this wonderful thing you do. You should feel so proud of yourself, taking these little mites and nurturing them into the happy, healthy babies they are now.
Your little Ladybird and her new family are blessed to have had you and you DH play such a vital role in their lives.

I am crying tears of sorrow for your loss, but also joy that there are selfless people like you in the world.

Much love and super-massive hugs to you and your DH.
Tmi xxx

Original poster
EarthMotherImNot · 31/01/2011 14:22

Just had a photo of lo sent to my mobile.

She looks so happy and smiley and content.

Isn't missing us at all tutWink

OP posts:
HaveToWearHeels · 31/01/2011 16:35

EMIN, so nice to hear, I bet she is missing you in her own way. But it must be nice to see she is happy :)

Original poster
EarthMotherImNot · 01/02/2011 06:44

I wouldn't want it any other way HTWH

Her mum says she feels like she can't remember her not being there, she has settled so well.

My work here is done I thinkSmile

OP posts:
HaveToWearHeels · 01/02/2011 09:10

and a very fine job you have done too, the fact that she has settled is down to you and your family.

karab · 01/02/2011 11:37

I know you have heard this a hundred times, but after reading this thread from start to finish, I just had to say how wonderful it is to know that there are such special people out there
It is completely impossible not to be moved by the special way you have cared for this lo and all the others before, and im sure more to come.
To open your heart and your home to these children, who need you so badly, to go through all the hard times and cherish all the good, then hand them over to a family that you know will love them so very much, ( or maybe not in the ones that return to original families :( ) but knowing it will break your heart regardless.
I cant tell you how much respect and admiration I have for you and your family.
It is an incredibly humbling journey
My thoughts are with you all at this hard time, but it is wonderful to hear how well she is adapting and settling in
which is all credit to you x

Original poster
EarthMotherImNot · 01/02/2011 13:06

Thank youSmile

To be honest, I miss every one of the lo's who move on from us but it's the ones who return to, sometimes, troubled homes that I worry about the most.

The ones who are placed for adoption are, usually, going to families who desperately want them and who will love them and care for them.

I started a thread in fostering some time ago about a lo who eventually returned home, much against every instinct in me, and that didn't work out.

So sad when this happensSad

OP posts:
CMOTdibbler · 01/02/2011 13:38

I remember that thread - and I cried at it.

Original poster
EarthMotherImNot · 01/02/2011 15:10

She's adopted now CMOTSmile and very happy, shame she had to go through what she did but she is another of lifes little fighters it seems.

OP posts:
fannybanjo · 05/02/2011 19:53

In a world where sometimes all you read is negative to read this has warmed the cockles of my heart. You truly deserve a medal - but not just because you foster but because you do it with love.

madmomma · 20/09/2011 23:39

I've had a diluted exp of this with my son, as I have to take a high dose of antidepressant and when I stopped bfeeding him he really went through it, the poor mite. He was 3 weeks old. He was incredibly jumpy and shaky for a good couple of weeks. All I could do for him was swaddle him, which he loved, keep him warm and full and cuddle him constantly. Patting and rubbing his back etc. If I couldn't hold him, my Mum or his Dad did. We never put him down really until he got over it.

madmomma · 20/09/2011 23:41

Sorry just realised how irrelevent my last post is. Hadn't read the whole thread. Apologies.

butterflyexperience · 18/11/2011 15:11

Inspirational thread
Amazing op

LordAlconleighsEntrenchingTool · 18/11/2011 15:14

Has anyone heard anything from EMIN lately?

This is such a wonderful thread, I remember reading it last year and crying.

BusterTheDonk · 18/11/2011 16:06

look at the thread 'i think we've reached the end of the road'... (on this forum)

poor EMIN - I was only thinking of her today

LordAlconleighsEntrenchingTool · 20/11/2011 18:09

I read on another thread that EMIN was diagnosed with cancer in the summer - I didn't know if anyone on this thread had heard if she is OK.

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