Posted on 01/15/2017 9:41:45 AM PST by Kid Shelleen
---SNIP--- "They" are the most helpless, hapless victims of the opioid epidemic:babies born addicted to the prescription or illicit drugs their mothers took. Many of them spend weeks or months in the hospital, gradually being weaned from opioid dependence by getting decreasing doses of oral morphine or methadone.
Even mothers who are in recovery may not be able to visit their babies every day over such a long period, so many hospitals have enlisted helpers — volunteer cuddlers like Schultz.
"These babies going through withdrawal need to be held for extended periods," said Jane Cavanaugh, the nurse who created Jefferson's cuddler program a year ago. "They need human touch. They need soothing. They need talking.
(Excerpt) Read more at philly.com ...
Fix mommy so she can’t do it again.
And then what?
These wretched women should be happy to feel judged. It means they still have a conscience
Poor little ones. Maybe one day I will foster babies. I’m done having my own.
I did know a few parents who adopted through foster, babies born addicted. The kids often had ADHD and learning differences. Makes life so much harder.
I agree, fix all drug addicts. BEFORE the babies show up. Semi permanent inserted hormonal birth control.
My wife volunteers to do this at a local hospital. It is difficult some days, but also rewarding.
We did something like modified holding therapy. Lots of contact and eye contact even when the baby/toddler is screaming.
My wife and I found out “maybe one day” about 3 years ago, adopted a little boy with significant mental issues and born to a drug-addicted mother. I would not change a thing for all the world!
Exactly........
Volunteer Cuddlers will be in top demand in a decade or two, should certain scientific breakthroughs develop. In Sept. 2016 issue of Tomorrows World, there was an article about scientists at the University of Bath who discovered a method for creating offspring without the need for a female egg.
They use skin cells. This is being conducted with mice right now. Ten, twenty years down the line, they may be ready to produce human beings in the same way.
Stay strong for adolescence and the teens
It is tough
This has been going on for years. I volunteered to hold babies born addicted to crack in the 90’s. One of the best things I ever did in my life.
I worked with a curmudgeonly old man that few folks liked. We were all shocked when a new hire came in and told us her cousin ran this kind of program at the county hospital, and the old man was one of the longest serving volunteers.
Bravo!!! I already raise kids with special needs so I would be ready. Though not sure I would adopt any more, but we would love to help out and I love and totally understand attachment parenting. I have so much knowledge and experience, I could be of help including to the child’s eventual adoptive parents. Enjoy your son!
You do understand they still use someone’s egg, unless you are speaking of actual cloning. I don’t know which study, but reproduction is only healthy when two gamete sources are used.
Drugs are a victim-less crime and drug users are only hurting themselves...
oh, wait... nvm.
Interesting choice of words. Operation or hot shot?
Right because it’s totally mommy’s fault she did what her doctors told her.
Nothing is sadder than to work the NICU and see a drug addled new-born die. I watch as the wife and a team of nurses just lose it when nothing else ever seemed to.
But but but....victimless crimes! Legalize all drugs!
Anyone who has ever held a drug addicted, spastic infant, or observed the classroom learning and behavioral difficulties of these children, would never say that.
A big part of the solution is to BUILD THAT WALL and increase penalties for distribution.
What a lot of people who are pushing marijuana legalization don’t realize, is that the competing retailers are lacing the marijuana with all sorts of other vile substances to increase potency, thus, sales. So you’re not just getting weed, you’re getting weed dosed with paregoric, crack, ammonia, or who knows what else.
We will soon begin seeing the effects in helpless babies of pothead mothers.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.