New Sleeping Babe Web Site Provides Information and Products for Care-Givers of Drug Addicted Infants
Rolla, MO (PRWEB) October 17, 2004
With the phenomenal rise in the number infants born exposed to drugs, Pat and Tabitha Rimmer, foster mother and grandmother in Rolla, Missouri, have launched Sleepingbabe.com to provide information and products for the care of these infants in the critical first months. Sleepingbabe.com has summaries of research and experience on such subjects as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, infant drug addiction, premature birth, SIDS prevention, and infant acid reflux. It makes difficult-to-find products such as a reflux wedge, baby hammock, swaddling blankets and specialty baby bottles available to caregivers and parents of these babies.
It is estimated that 11% of the infants born in the United States are exposed to prescription or illicit drugs in the womb. In a single county in Washington State, it is estimated by the NIAAA that a minimum of 3.1 per 1000 first-grade students have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). In 1979 1 in 10,000 newborns were diagnosed with FAS compared with over 5 in 10,000 in 1992. Only a fraction of the actual cases are diagnosed. Unfortunately, the numbers are still increasing.
Babies born drug addicted experience painful withdrawals. Both drug and alcohol exposed infants are often born premature, underweight, and with birth defects. They usually have some permanent neurological damage. They experience tremors and seizures as they experience withdrawal from the drugs. They have sleeping and feeding problems and an inconsolable earsplitting cry. Because of these problems, these little ones remained in the hospital as many caretakers canÂ?t care for them in the first months.
Pat and Tabitha Rimmer, after caring for these special little ones, found a need for information and products that aid the caregivers and family of these babies in the first months. In providing information and products, they hope that more caretakers will be able care for these little ones. Tabitha says, “We struggled to find solutions that would comfort these babies and allow us a few minutes of rest each day as well. We have made available those items that we found most helpful. Mothers of sick infants have written with letters of appreciation. We want to be of help to more mothers in any way that we can.”
###
Related Drug Addiction Press Releases