i have a newborn grandson that is still in the hospital with difficulties,?

Question

his mother is a very well educated woman but when it comes to herself she is in denial, she keeps taking medications for what she says is her sinuses , such things that contain aphedrine, which is the main ingredient that crank or methanphetine is made from, my son says he knows she has a problem with the meds that she is taking but i don't think she realizes that she is addicted to them. i talked with my son about it yesterday and he says he knows that she has a problem with the meds too but didn;t realize that she was taking so much. he said that he will talk to her about it but how do i convince or even approach her about the problem without upsetting or causing any problems with the family. she has been taking breast milk to the hospital everyday for the baby and just today she told me that they had discoved a heart murmur in the baby. I noticed that the sudaphedrine that she took yesterday was about 5 times the normal amount that should be taken. I can't sleep thinking about what

effects this is having on the baby. someone please advise me on how to approach her before something else happens. i know that if i confront her with it she will just get mad and deny it. do you think that it would be a good idea for me to talk to the nurse in charge of the baby to see if they can do a blood test on the baby to see if this stuff is in his system. or am i even allowed to do such a think, i am worried sick and don't know what i can do to help the baby and his mother without causeing problems. the baby has seisures and has some brain damage already. please help me.im desparate

Answer 1

You mostly talked about your daughter, but what are the symptoms your grandchild is having? The NICU or PICU can do a blood test to determine the levels of drugs in the baby's body. They may take action against the mother and family, so keep this in mind if you plan on reporting your own daughter.

I would personally ask her not to give the baby breast milk, encourage her to use formula until she can take care of her dependence on meds.

Good luck and congratulations.

Answer 2

This answer has two points, so bear with me. :-)

According to some studies, the weight adjusted intake of pseudoephedrin by infants by way of breastmilk is less than ten percent of the maternal dose. It's a small amount, and is unlikely to be THAT damaging. The main conclusion in any study I've seen is that it decreases milk flow. I never saw anything about heart problems or anything like that for the baby. Also, try to keep in mind that even though pseudoephedrin is used in making crank, meth, or whatever, it is only one part of the recipe, so it's not like she's passing crystal meth on to her son. I think it's likely the mother's irresponsible use of the sinus medications have nothing or very little to do with your grandson's health problems. I'm not a doctor, though, so I couldn't say for sure.

However, your daughter-in-law needs to talk to a doctor. If her sinuses are so bad that she's popping sinus meds all day, she needs to get some treatment for them. Those meds aren't for long-term use, and if she's taking so many, they've probably become ineffective (which is why she's probably feeling like she needs more). Besides, the 10 or less percent of a dose in the study is based on the maximum suggested dose, not five times the maximum dose.

If your relationship with her is very close, you can try to talk to her. I would suggest being tactful, though. She'll have a very difficult time taking what you're saying to heart if she feels like you're blaming her for all the son's problems. Let her know you're worried about the baby and about her, and tell her that you think she should go get her sinuses checked so she can stop needing those pills.

If you're not all that close to her, go through your husband.

Talk to her first. If she won't take steps to get past this, talk to the baby's doctor and ask him to talk to her.

In the meantime, suggest a gel-pack mask for her sinuses. I have one and it works wonders (I have baaaaaaaad sinus problems). All you have to do is heat it up and put the gel pack in the mask, then put it over your sinus cavities.

I hope your grandson's health improves.

Answer 3

I'm not sure what exactly your daughter is taken, but psudeoephidrine is generally considered safe for nursing moms, that is, not much will get into the milk. It can slow milk production, however. Plus, with the amount your daughter is taking, well, it's something I would definately bring up to the doctor (or have the husband do that) and let the doctor handle it with her, I know it would be rough making the poor doc the fall guy but at least you and her husband are spared, and it might hit home a bit better coming from a stranger. But I hope the following sources will at least help you get a bit more sleep tonight, there will be plenty of sleepless nights once that bundle of joy gets home!
Best of luck to you and your family, and congratulations on your new grandson! I hope he comes home soon!

Answer 4

You cannot confront her without causing a problem. Your best bet is to make the doctors aware of her problems at the hospital and have them test her and her breast milk. If you let the doctor know what kinds and how much meds she is taking they will step in and take the situation in the right direction. It may result in her having to go to rehab and may cause some tension in the family but if you fully believe this is why the baby is having problems and you are concerned for the baby when he goes home then you have to say something to the baby's doctor. Good Luck Grandma I hope this goes well.

Answer 5

Her husband needs to talk with her now, and call the hospital & advise them of the situation your grandson should not be getting her breast milk! Also she needs to see a doctor cold & sinus meds in abundance as a way to get a high is a huge problem so much so that is why most of this stuff in now behin the pharmacy & a limit to how much you can buy per day. But if the baby has heart probs her brestmilk will only make matters worse!

Answer 6

Do NOT be afraid to do something. This baby is your flesh and blood. Your son is too involved, to make a decision like that right now. You need to be the strong one. The Dr.s will be relieved to have some honesty. They are not ignorant. They are already wondering about the situation already I am sure. I had to intervene with my Mom. She had a drug problem for years, and it got so bad that she lost her job, and her boss called me to ask questions. Together we Made her see that we were not blind. People that have drug problems think they can hide it. She will thank you later. My Mom did!! Be strong! You have the right!! Bless you and your Family.

Answer 7

Talk to the Dr's at the hospital as this may be having a continuing detromental effect on your grandchild.
It may cause family problems but it may well help your grandchild's health both in the short and long term
Good luck

Answer 8

this is very dangerious . you might need to talk to a county doctor and explain this to them they can have her admited for help in a rehab center as a in patient and in most cases can be treated on a outpatient clinic as well . if you . or her dont see she has a problem with this she could overdose on this a can die from it as well talk to a doctor on this matter you think might make her see the light before it,s to late. i really wish i could be more help but she has to see she has a problem . good luck . ?/

Answer 9

I would tell her what you think is happening be truth full about what you fell. Tell her about the help she can get in your town and if all else fails take her to see a doctor.

Answer 10

Maybe you could bring this to the atttention of the pediatrician. They can test the milk to see if it is ok. They would know better how to handle her too.