Gastrointestinal tract problems are also common. Symptoms usually develop between 48 to 72 hours after birth, but may take up to four weeks to appear. NAS symptoms typically begin to subside after one week, but they have been known to persist for months in some babies. Withdrawal symptoms in babies born to women on methadone during pregnancy actually tend to be somewhat more severe, but are more predictable, than symptoms experienced by babies born to mothers who used heroin during pregnancy. The reason for the slightly less severe withdrawal symptoms in babies born to women who abuse heroin is believed to be a function of the impurity of street heroin rather than a true pharmacological difference between heroin and methadone.
Many babies born to heroin-addicted moms have serious medical problems.
Primarily resulting from prematurity, these medical problems include brain hemorrhages, hyaline membrane disease of the lungs, and respiratory distress syndrome. Effects During Breastfeeding Opioids are transmitted to the baby via breast milk although research shows that exposure levels are smaller than prenatal exposure levels. There is some concern about breastfeeding beyond two to six months due to the amount of methadone that may be transmitted. Close monitoring of the baby's responses and the mother's potential for illicit drug use are required. It is best to focus on a child's current abilities and environmental situation when making an assessment or determining interventions.