Substance exposed infants need for attachment

Substance exposed infants often experience withdrawal symptoms shortly after birth due to exposure to drugs of addiction while in utero (Oei and Lui, 2007). Symptoms may include; irritability, metabolic disturbances, feeding difficulties, seizures and excessive crying (Bagley et al., 2014). Treatment of these infants often necessitates admission to intensive and special care units (Haduk and Tan, 2012). Extant research into the care of this vulnerable population focuses on symptom management and the promotion of physiologic health (eg. Abbett and Greewood, 2012; Bagley et al., 2014). However, there is a scarcity of literature regarding promotion of mental health in this vulnerable group of infants (Marcellus, 2007, p. 37).