Drunk Mother.

[Mango92]

Does anyone know the law in regards to a parent being under the influence whilst caring for a very young baby?
I know of a young woman who has a son the same age as mine (8 weeks, hence the concern) who drinks regularly. She is battling postnatal depression and I guess it helps he get by, or so she thinks.
Anyway, I know it's against the law to be in charge of anyone under 7 years old, whilst in a public place. But what about at home?
She is not incapable of caring for her son but I still have my concerns. After all, accidents do happen and with her current state of mind combined, naturally I'm a little worried.
I would like to know the facts. p0Perhaps approaching her with the right information might steer her in the right direction.
Thanks in advance x

Just because she is under the influence, doesn't mean she isn't capable. However, I personally would report it to social services.

Doesn't it depend how much she drinks and the context?

I'd mention it to your/ her HV

Well its more than just a couple of drinks with dinner but she isn't blind drunk by any means.
It puts me in a tough spot as she see's me as someone she can talk to so I want to take a more gentle approach rather than getting her in any trouble. I don't feel that the baby is in any immediate danger but I have seen first hand the damage booze can do and it is a slippery slope.
I would rather push her towards getting the help and support she needs rather than dropping her in it.

I don't know about the legalities of it, but clearly it's not a good idea to be drunk when you're looking after a baby. Has she told you that she drinks, or how do you know? Is she getting any help from her HV/doctor for the PND?

If she's a friend could you maybe suggest that you can imagine it's hard for her looking after a newborn with PND, but that she really should be getting some medical help or counselling as the drinking surely cannot be a long term solution?

It is a tough situation for both of you, I had PND too and was reluctant to get help at first, but I think if she carries on drinking then you need to try and do something for both her and the baby's sake.

I didn't now to was illegal to drink in a public place whilst caring for a child under 7? How does that work with nice MC families camped out in beer gardens on a summer's afternoon?

Is you friend getting appropriate help with the PND? That's probably more important than focusing on the drinking, which she will see as an attack against her choices IYSWIM