If you have the love and the time, you may find that your special calling in the world is being a “baby cuddler” at a local hospital. I’m going to tell you what that means and how you can help.
What Is a Baby Cuddler?
It is exactly what it sounds like. Volunteers go into NICU units in hospitals around the country and hold babies.
Sometimes babies in the NICU don’t have parents there with them 24/7. It’s understandable that Mom and Dad have to go home to be with their other kids, or go to a job, or just need to get some much-needed sleep. Having you stand in the gap and love on their baby when they can’t be there will give those parents so much solace.
Some babies are born of drug-addicted moms who may be neither willing nor capable of giving the special kind of love babies need. Those babies can suffer all sorts of horrible problems that fall under the heading of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.
NAS may mean that a baby is born prematurely, or that it has seizures and/or birth defects. Some babies have tremors, tight muscles, vomiting, sleep problems, and trouble eating and breathing. Babies from moms who abused drugs are also prone to high-pitched, excessive crying.
If I’m being honest, it’s hard for me to even write about. Picturing those tiny, precious angels suffering from such violent and ugly problems hurts me so badly, I can barely think about it. You probably feel the same way.
Before I go any further, if you or someone you love is pregnant and addicted to drugs or alcohol, there is help for you. Talk to your doctor right away and click here to find help through your state.
As a baby cuddler volunteer, your job is to give babies what doctors say is so very important – skin to skin contact and human comfort.
You don’t walk around with the baby, nor do you feed it. You’ll sit with it and simply be present. You can sing, or talk, rock or pat. Doesn’t matter so long as that fragile treasure feels loved and safe in the arms of someone who cares.
The hospital where you volunteer will train you, but you already know the most important part.
Your love is genuinely healing.
When a baby is swaddled safely in the arms of someone who cares, science has proven again and again and again that healing is happening.
There is no higher calling than to love one another, and loving a baby is a legacy we can leave that could potentially last for generations. An infant who is loved can grow into a Mom or Dad who has children and then grandchildren.
How to Become a Baby Cuddler
Don’t expect to show up at a NICU and pick up a baby. For good reason, that’s not the way volunteering as a baby cuddler works.
Each hospital has its own rules and needs. Sometimes hospitals will call upon the public via TV interviews or on hospital websites. I would suggest that you call the hospitals in your area and speak to someone in charge of volunteer services.
You can also visit Born to Kuddle where you’ll find a state by state list of volunteering opportunities.
Would you like to be a baby cuddler? Have you already volunteered in a NICU? Please share your ideas and experiences in the comments. If you have additional info that would help folks find a way to help, tell us about it.
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297 comments on “Please Volunteer to Be a NICU Baby Cuddler”
Being a NICU baby cuddler is the most rewarding yet challenging place to be at times. Babies born with NAS need so much love. I’m grateful to be one of the volunteers that get to love on those babies.
My son was a patient for 2 years in the IWK and the cuddlers are whT helped me to know he was being loved all the time. Nurses love the patients Baut dont have the time to hold them and show them. Thank yoh to al who take od their time to sit with children not just NICU babies.
I would love to cuddle these unfortunate babies bless their dear little hearts
Age requirement?
I live in Houston, Texas and would love to be a baby cuddler!
I would love to be a cuddler
I wld love to do this plz tell me how i go about this thank u i live in Manchester NH
I love the infant baby stage and would be honored to be come a baby cuddler all my kids are adults with this exception of one is an adult handicapped daughter that I take care of also !!!!!
I would love to be a baby Kuddler but there’s no facility anywhere near me.
I live in the Phoenix area of Arizona I would love to do this I just haven’t found an opportunity yet
I would love to be a baby cuddler
Where do I go to sign up at.
I have always loved cuddling babies my own friends and my grandchildren when I see them. Would love to do this in the evening after work for a couple hours cuddling a baby has always helped me as much as it helps them. There is nothing as precious as a baby. Are they any hospitals around Daytona Beach , New Smyrna area that has this opportunity available?
What a beautiful program , I am a senior with lots of cuddles to give, all my grandchildren are over 21 and live in all different states . And I can not think of a better thing to do.. where does a person to become a part of this program ? sincerely Gloria K.
I would be in heaven to be able to do this. please sign me up
Would love to volunteer in Kearney Nebraska, that is where I live, I love babies and kids,
I’ve a Preschool Teacher for the past 20 years and Ixve work with infants for many. I would love to be a volunteer.
Please send me all the necessary information.
I would love to do my part, I am a young 59 and have 3 grandkids, I’d love to give back for my blessings and I’m the oldest of 5 so I’ve nurtured most of my life❤️ I live in Rockland Ma and I’m very familiar with Boston Hospitals! Let me know where I can help Ty
I woyld love to love these babies.
I would love to help those amazing babies!!!
I have thought about being a cuddler for along time now
I have been in the preschool since 1996/98 time frame until present. I will be retiring in two years and I thought cuddling will be my next adventure
At this moment I work part time and have a regular school schedule with summers off and school vacations. I’d be available afternoons and weekends. Making children comfortable and happy is a passion of mine. I live in Connecticut and close to the Rhode Island and Massachusetts states.