Yes, babies can absolutely experience this. When it happens, it is known medically as Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) or Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS).
Here is a breakdown of how it happens, what it looks like, and how it is managed.
How It Happens
During pregnancy, practically everything in a person's bloodstream—including medications, alcohol, and illicit drugs—can pass through the placenta to the fetus.
• Dependence in the Womb: If the pregnant person regularly uses substances (most commonly opioids, but also benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and sometimes certain antidepressants), the developing baby's body becomes accustomed to the presence of that substance, developing a physical dependence.
• The Sudden Cutoff: At birth, when the umbilical cord is cut, the baby is suddenly disconnected from the supply of the drug. Because their tiny system cannot clear the remaining substance instantly, its levels drop rapidly, triggering acute physical withdrawal symptoms
So babies can be born drug addicts ??