drug dependant baby, advice needed

[EarthMotherImNot]

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.

[MilkNoSugarPlease]

EMIN your amazing.

simple.

[PurplePillow]

Just found this thread and I too think you are an amazing woman for what you have done for this poor wee soulvery lucky little baby

[EarthMotherImNot]

Health visitor just been to weigh lo and she is...........drum roll

7lbs 5ozs yeayyyyyyyyyy, she is actually on the centile chart now

She is sleeping a lot better and is alert when awake, not crying anywhere near the amount she was. She will be six weeks old on Thursday and by god we're proud of her

[CMOTdibbler]

Wooot ! Sounds like she is making really good progress now . Am sure that now she isn't expending lots of energy on crying/shaking/being awake too much, she'll be piling on the weight.

[MrsRigby]

Well done earthmotherimnot, keep up the good work .

[bumpybecky]

fantastic progress since I last read this thread huge big round of applause to you and your DH EMIN, so glad to hear your baby is doing so well

[Minnerva]

Wonderful to read the update-keep up the good work and thanks again for the regular postings,they are much appreciated by us all.
Love
Minnerva

[EarthMotherImNot]

Thanks everyone

6 weeks old today and she gave us a gift
Having a cuddle with her this morning, just the two of us with Dh snoring in the background and she looked at me and smiled, the most awesome wonderful smile.

It took my breath away! Sometimes, just sometimes, this job is such a joy

[PurplePillow]

AWWWW that is sooo lovely

[MrsRigby]

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

[hairymelons]

You earned that smile!
What a lovely moment for you all

[Gay40]

Update?

[EarthMotherImNot]

8 weeks old today

Lo is doing really well and exceeding everyones expectations. She is just over 8.5lbs and is a very alert baby, she smiles readily now and when she cries it is the more "normal" baby cry and not that god-awful high pitched scream which I can only liken to a piglet screaming in terror

She has come a long way and I think, fingers crossed, she's through the dependency.

We both look like walking zombies mind you as she still doesn't sleep for more than a couple of hours at a time but, compared to a few short weeks ago this is heaven

[shortandsweet2]

My god EMIN you and your DH are amazing people. You have done a fantastic job!!!

She sounds so beautiful, I would love to do fostering but would never be able to pass them back plus my flat is tiny.

[EarthMotherImNot]

Thank you shortand sweet but lo is the amazing one methinks!

Giving them back isn't really an issue because they aren't mine in the first place It's the letting go thats the killer!

Oh and babies take up very little space, especially if they spend a lot of time on your shoulder

[SirBoobAlot]

EarthMother just wanted to say what an inspiration you are. I am total awe of you, and other people who do this. Thank goodness this little girl has such a wonderful FM in you.

[kando]

You are wonderful earthmother - what a truly special person you are, the lo is a very lucky little girl to have you looking after her. Have just read the whole thread and have a massive lump in my throat reading how well she is doing. You are an absolute shining star

[EarthMotherImNot]

Health Visitor just called out to weigh lo

Drum roll.............8lbs 12ozs woo hoooooo

Thank you guys

[Minnerva]

Thanks again EMIN for the update-it's a pleasure to read of lo' progress and long may it continue-thanks again
Minnerva

[Minnerva]

Dear Emin

I was wondering how lo is coming along?.

Now that I am caring for a baby going through similar steps I have revisited these pages and found them helpful so I would be grateful for any updates especially sleeping habits as I look like death warmed up and am hoping (fingers crossed) that a few weeks down the line your lo will have a more regular pattern of sleep habits.

Here's hoping!!

Many thanks xx

[EarthMotherImNot]

Hi Minnerva

Our lo is just 3 months old, as of yesterday, and I can honestly say this has been the hardest slog of my life.

Of all our babies she has given us the most worry and concern but, and it's a huge but, she is getting there.

The improvements in sleeping patterns are slow and there are still nights I consider how bad would it really be to shove her in the shed but there are nights she wakes to feed then settles herself back to sleep.

Her personality is appearing with cheeky smiles and her obvious pleasure when I pick her up. I guess it's a little like giving birth, a few short weeks ago I would never have considered taking another lo withdrawing again but now, looking at a smiley baby in her bouncy chair, I feel such a sense of achievement I can't tell you

How is it going for you?

[Minnerva]

Thanks for your reply

Things are slowly improving but I think the hardest part is dealing with mum-I seem to be criticised an awful lot which has eroded my confidence a bit.DH says it is just because mum has no control and tries to assert herself in the only way she can and I do think he is right but I still feel a bit rubbish and dread baby coming back from contact as I know that she will question something.

Lo is hands on 24/7 and really just wants to be held all the time-she is quite happy snuggled up but doesn't like being put down at all-housework and dinners on the table have taken a hit but it's fine-when I look at her little face and think of all of the adversities that she had already had to go through to get this far my heart melts.

The drugs seem to have worked their way through her system although I did buy Infacol on your recommendation and that has helped with her wind-she lets rip her comedy farts with alarming regularity much to everyones delight !!.

She is having a few more alert periods now-at 4 weeks old she still only weighs just over 6 pounds and is a tiny little bundle of love.

I am trying very hard to stay focused and not stress too much about lo's future as I know that it is out of my hands anyway but it is difficult emin-does it get any easier?.I dread the thought of her going to her mum (who has already had 2 children taken from her)rather than for adoption but I know that ss dictates that to be best for baby.

Anyway,I'd better go now as she will be back from contact soon-I really appreciate your reply and I shall pick my mood up off the floor and open the door with a big smile and give her a large kiss on the head and a huge cuddle.

Minnerva xx

[EarthMotherImNot]

Oh Minnerva I know exactly what you mean and your Dh is spot on.

I usually agree to what I can change easily but fight the stuff I'm not prepared to compromise on.

I have found doing a contact diary helps.

Just a spiral notebook I note down how lo has been, when feeds are due, any observations, eg smiles etc.

Lo's mum writes in it too about what happened at contact etc.

It's meant we both understand when feeds etc are due, it's written down and I always put the date at the start of the day.

All you can do is your best, don't expect any gratitude and keep plodding on.

It works for me

[Alouiseg]

You amaze me.

You are both doing such a wonderful job. I am very that lo will have to go back to mothers who can't possibly look after them as well as you have been doing.

I wish the lo could be adopted by people who could look after them and give them a nice life. Is there no chance of that happening?