Newborns with opioid withdrawal do better cared for by mom, versus stay in NICU
TORONTO — With the opioid crisis leading to a rising number of babies suffering withdrawal symptoms from exposure to the drugs while in the womb, the Canadian Paediatric Society is issuing recommendations to doctors and hospitals on how to better care for these vulnerable newborns and their mothers.
The CPS released a guidance document Thursday advising that babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome and their mothers should room together in hospital when possible, rather than the baby being sent for treatment to the neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU.
“Weeks of separation can be harmful to early bonding and attachment and risks making a bad situation worse for both mothers and their babies,” said Dr. Thierry Lacaze, chair of the CPS fetus and newborn committee and primary author of the practice document.
“Keeping mothers and their infants together has been shown to lower NICU admissions, promote breastfeeding, shorten hospital stays and decrease the need for prescription drugs.”