DH and I have just completed our first foster licensing class. (9 more to go -- woo hoo!)
It's going to be a long road, but I cannot get it off my mind. I'm stressing about the fact that we want to adopt as well as foster along the way, that we want a baby, that any babies we get will more than likely be drug-exposed (unless we can agree to sibling groups, which I'm not sure we can), etc.
I'm focusing on nesting a little as a "fun" interlude to avoid thinking about all the unknowns. I do not (yet) know a lot about drug exposed infants other than the withdrawal can be HORRIBLE. Then the instructor mentioned that teething can be super tough on them too. I was thinking that by the time they are teething, they are done with withdrawal symptoms, but apparently I'm wrong....
So in addition to any recs as to what to expect (if you have experience with this), I'm wondering what I can do to help the babies be more comfortable? I'm assuming swaddling will be in order, and possibly babywearing if it helps. When the instructor mentioned teething, I immediately thought of amber necklace/anklet... What else? I try to be as natural in my child rearing as possible, but also want to avoid as much chemical exposure to these fragile little ones as possible. Any ideas? And specific recs for a good but super soft sling/wrap?
It's going to be a long road, but I cannot get it off my mind. I'm stressing about the fact that we want to adopt as well as foster along the way, that we want a baby, that any babies we get will more than likely be drug-exposed (unless we can agree to sibling groups, which I'm not sure we can), etc.
I'm focusing on nesting a little as a "fun" interlude to avoid thinking about all the unknowns. I do not (yet) know a lot about drug exposed infants other than the withdrawal can be HORRIBLE. Then the instructor mentioned that teething can be super tough on them too. I was thinking that by the time they are teething, they are done with withdrawal symptoms, but apparently I'm wrong....
So in addition to any recs as to what to expect (if you have experience with this), I'm wondering what I can do to help the babies be more comfortable? I'm assuming swaddling will be in order, and possibly babywearing if it helps. When the instructor mentioned teething, I immediately thought of amber necklace/anklet... What else? I try to be as natural in my child rearing as possible, but also want to avoid as much chemical exposure to these fragile little ones as possible. Any ideas? And specific recs for a good but super soft sling/wrap?