How To Care For Drug Exposed Infants

There are as many as 750,000 infants born each year to mothers who used drugs or alcohol during pregnancy, according to the National Resource Center for Respite and Crisis Care Services. While most of these children will turn out just fine, the first few weeks and months of life may present some distinctive challenges for both baby and caretaker. Drug-exposed infants tend to cry more, have more difficulty eating and sleeping and may require more overall care than other children.

Step 1

Provide a calm, quiet environment for your baby. Choose soft-paint colors and minimal lighting for your baby's nursery. Drug-exposed infants cannot tolerate stimulating environments.

Step 2

Massage your baby. A gentle massage can help comfort your baby and ease irritability.

Step 3

Swaddle your baby in blankets. Many drug-exposed infants find it soothing to remain tightly wrapped. Consult a doctor or health-care professional about proper swaddling techniques.

Step 4

Rock your baby as much as possible. Place your baby in a swing or carry her in an infant carrier when you cannot rock her.

Step 5

Limit the number of caretakers for your baby. Drug-exposed infants do best with consistent care and familiar faces.

Step 6

Give your baby a warm bath when she seems anxious. Warm water works to soothe the nerves.

Step 7

Take care of yourself. Caring for a special-needs child requires stamina and energy. Make sure you eat right, get adequate rest and ask for help when you need it.

Step 8

Allow your baby to use a pacifier to soothe herself. Even if your drug-exposed baby has a weak suck reflex and struggles to maintain a grip on the pacifier, she will likely find this activity soothing.

Step 9

Feed your baby small, frequent meals. Drug-exposed infants may require more calories than other infants to compensate for increased activity levels.

Step 10

Talk to your baby's doctor about medications to control withdrawal symptoms. According to Children's Hospital Boston, a doctor may use methadone to ease the pain of heroin or opiate withdrawal in drug-exposed infants.

Tips and Warnings

Seek help for you and your baby. Gather a team of doctors, nurses, social workers, and case managers willing to act as part of a support team.
Drug-exposed infants require close monitoring. Your child may experience seizures, tremors or respiratory problems, especially during the first weeks of life. Call 911 if your baby has a seizure or appears to have difficulty breathing.

Things You'll Need

Massage lotion
Swaddling blankets
Baby swing
Infant carrier
Pacifier

How to Care for Drug Exposed Infants