Eat-Sleep-Console Program

Congratulations on your pregnancy or the birth of your new baby!

Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome, or NOWS, is a group of signs that show up in babies who have been exposed to opiates during pregnancy. If your baby was exposed to opioids or maintenance therapy for opioid use (also called replacement therapy) during pregnancy, we will provide special care to help your baby through withdrawal from these drugs.

Our goal is to work with you to create a positive experience for you and your baby. Through our Eat-Sleep-Console Program, we support your baby’s healthy development, while improving your parenting confidence and skills, and creating a healthy path forward for the both of you.

Our care team has special training and knowledge to support you and your baby through pregnancy, birth and baby’s withdrawal. Our experts in pregnancy, substance use disorders, and newborn medicine provide care for you and your baby. Our practices are based in a trauma-informed approach.

Your hospital stay

When you come to the hospital to have your baby, our goal is for you and your baby to stay together in a private room, either in Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital or C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.

Babies who need medicine may be in the hospital for about a week, but some babies need to stay in the hospital longer.

You and your baby’s medical team will talk about what your baby needs in order to go home safely. This will include eating, sleeping, and being consoled in addition to other things all babies need.

Your baby’s behavior guide

The information we’re sharing will help you and your baby every day. Using your baby’s behavior as a guide, you will learn what actions to take to calm your baby when they need it most.

Follow these steps to use the table below:

1. Observe your baby’s behavior and decide what color zone your baby is in right now (green is most relaxed and comfortable, yellow or red means they need something to be more comfortable).
2. In the left column, look for the behaviors you see your baby experiencing.
3. In the right column, read the tips to know what you can do to help your baby.
   • Being in the green zone means your baby is comfortable.
   • The yellow zone means your baby needs some help to be comfortable.
   • The red zone means your baby needs lots of help to be comfortable.
   • Your baby may be in between zones many times each day.
   • When you find something that helps your baby, make a note of it.
   • As you get used to understanding your baby’s needs, you will be able to help them stay calm and stay in the green zone more often.

Behavior zones

Feeding your baby

It’s important to feed your baby when they are hungry, and to stop feeding them when they show you they are done. Here are some ways you can tell when your baby is hungry:

• Your baby will move hands to their mouth, or suck on their fist or fingers.
• If your baby does those things first and then fusses or cries, they are really hungry and need to eat now!

Your baby will tell you when they need a break from eating, using these signs:

• Your baby will stop sucking or close their mouth.
• They may turn away from the breast or bottle.

As your baby grows, they will drink more milk in less time. Keep looking at the ways they are telling you when to start and when to stop feeding.

Creating a calm environment at home

There are things you can do to make your home a calm, safe place for your baby. Think about how you can use these tips after you and baby are home together.

• Keep it quiet
  • Turn down the volume on the TV or radio.
  • Use a quiet voice when talking.
  • Keep your phone ringer on a low setting.
  • When you play music, play it softly.
• Limit lights and keep them low
  • Use natural sunlight when possible.
  • Avoid fluorescent lights.
  • Avoid toys that light up.
  • Your baby should not watch TV or screens.
• Sleep is healing
  • Your baby should sleep on their own in a quiet room. 
  • Do not wake your baby unless it is time to eat.
  • Don’t disturb your baby while they are sleeping.
  • Keep your baby sleeping on their back.
• Slow, steady moves
  • Use slow and gentle movements with your baby.
  • Try swaying or rocking side to side or up and down.
  • Only use a swing if your baby stays calm in it.
  • Swaddle your baby to help them stay calm.
• Stick to a routine
  • Your baby does best with regular times for naps and overnight sleeping. Keep them at home as much as possible.
• Limit visitors
  • Make sure there aren’t too many people around at first.
  • Remind visitors to stay calm and quiet.
  • Don’t pass your baby from person to person.

Awake and calm is a good time to play

When you notice your baby is awake and calm, gently introduce them to a new activity. Try one new activity at a time. If an activity makes your baby upset, stop and do something that calms them. You can try the new activity again later.

Some good activities to try:

• Reading a book.
• Singing softly.
• Gently moving arms and legs.
• Putting them on their tummy to play.
• Playing a quiet game like pat-a-cake.

Your baby needs you to be healthy!