I am adopting a baby who was born addicted to heroin and benzodiazepines. I was a bit scared at first not knowing what to expect…

She is now 8 weeks old and was completely weaned yesterday and is doing very well.  It will still take a few months to get all the withdrawl symptoms to go away but I couldn’t be more pleased and am so excited to adopt her!

Wondering if there are others out there who have adopted baby/child with NAS (Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome). How the withdrawing went for you…

if you have an older child with how is he/she doing? I heard NAS babies are at risk for ADHD and learning issues…

Our three kiddos (5, 2, 6 months) were all exposed - different levels of exposure and different types of drugs. They are all doing wonderfully. Currently we see issues with emotional self regulation for our 5 year old but she lived with bio family from age 0-3 so its hard to pin point things.

Our 2 year old exceeds developmental markers and was quite heavily exposed and our 6 month old (adjusted age) same BM also lots of exposure was born at 29 weeks… she had very mild withdrawl symptoms.

How will they do? Well its a big unknown as it is with ANY kid.

Our peditrician (an adoptive parent!) and research I have done point to difficulties learning, processing, and regulating in the brain. Although my 5 year old, pre-k can read and my two year old, turned two yeserday can jump with two feet and put socks on. Early intervention goes a LONG WAY. (Yes I am really proud of what my kids have accomplished!)

I also would love to hear more from other adoptive parents on this issue.

My four year old was born severely addicted to meth.  She has done very well, exceptionally so.  Walked at 9 months, put words together at 11 months, joined gymnastics team at 3, starting to read, and will be starting kindergarten prior to turning 5.  She is very socially apt as well.  Her particular challenge was a strange gagging and throwing up when learning to eat solids.  It happened until she was 2.  Tests showed no problem.  We kept her on the bottle late, and treated the food issue as though she were a 6 month old baby.  By the time she was 3, she’d could and would eat anything with no problem.  Result of the meth?  I have no idea.  So far, no leaning, cog, or motor issues.  I second greenmmomma on this- development is a BIG unknown with any child, bio or adopt.  Early intervention of the loving, nurturing, spending scads of time with child type, goes a very long way.

I “started” this post and I am happy to report that my daughter is 3 months old and doing very well.

She is not smiling or engaging as much as she “should be” at three months.. She looks at us and tracks but not as well as most babies her age. BUT she was also a premie…

I am quickly learning you CAN make yourself crazy, or not, trying to figure things out.  Is this NAS? Is this premie, is this just her…

Overall I am doing well not worrying too much and follow the recommendations of her nurse practitioner.  We had her eyes checked “just to be sure” ... all was fine, and she will get her asssesement for milestones done in May. 

I agree early assessment and prevention is the key to both parent anxiety and baby well being .