Eat, Sleep, Console Now the Preferred Treatment for Infants with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

The Washington State Department of Health, in conjunction with the state Department of Children, Youth, and Families and the Washington State Hospital Association, announced that Eat, Sleep, Console is the new best practice for babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome.

“The announced change formally recognizes Eat, Sleep, Console as the new best practice for birthing hospitals,” DOH stated in a press release, “and states medications and NICU admissions should no longer be the first line of treatment for infants exhibiting withdrawal symptoms.”

Another new state policy now allows infants to receive wrap-around services without being reported to Child Protective Services, so long as there are concerns about the child’s safety.

Eat, Sleep, Console was the focus of a resolution adopted by the WAFP House of Delegates in 2022. The Washington State Medical Association (through its House of Delegates) and the AAFP (through the Congress of Delegates) agreed on the importance of the treatment.