Sheffield mums-to-be warned about dangers of drinking to baby

Sheffield City Council is highlighting the effects of drinking alcohol whilst pregnant.
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Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause harm to babies, sometimes resulting in mental and physical problems called foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).

This can occur because alcohol in the mother's blood passes to her baby.

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Babies cannot process alcohol in the same way adults can, which means it can damage cells in their brain, spinal cord and other parts of their body, and disrupt their development in the womb.

A Sheffield campaign aims to warn pregnant mums about the danger to their babies from drinkingA Sheffield campaign aims to warn pregnant mums about the danger to their babies from drinking
A Sheffield campaign aims to warn pregnant mums about the danger to their babies from drinking

Lindsey, grandmother to Nathaniel who was born with FASD, said: “I started to notice Nathaniel acting differently by the time he went to school.

“He would be withdrawn, he would have extreme emotional reactions to situations, he would lose control of what he was doing and in some instances he reverted back to being incontinent. Nathaniel is a beautiful, warm-hearted young boy who struggled to express his emotions.

“Due to fear and unease, incontinence was a way for Nathaniel to express his distress. I would have to leave work and pick him up, which resulted in him feeling much safer.

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“By chance, someone who had worked alongside Nathaniel had suggested I read about FASD. I spent the evening researching and immediately knew this was what had affected Nathaniel.

“This was extremely distressing as I came to the realisation that my lovely grandson had been born with a brain injury, one that required a lifetime adjustment.”

For support, call Sheffield Treatment and Recovery Team (START) on 0114 305 0500. For more information, visit www.sheffield.gov.uk/babysafe

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