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”
Hi, my name is Pat. Is there anything available in Adelaide, South Australia?. Would love to become a volunteer for these babies.
Hi My name is April I have 3 grown boys & 2 grandchildren & have all the time in the world to be a NICU CUDDLE MUM I have a calling & this just might be what it is I want to give back God gave me a second chance @ life after an automobile accident in October of 2018 I need to help these precious little Angels he has given life to. & I couldn’t think of any other way than to be a NICU CUDDLER. I would like more information 417-920-7695 I live in SPRINGFIELD Mo. And have to major hospitals Cox South & Mercy.
I would love to cuddle sweet.
 Sweet babies  I need to find out more and where to go in my area. Linda Weekley
I live in Houma/Thibodaux Louisiana area and wouldÂ
Love to be a Nicu cuddle mom. My husband and I haveÂ
5 children and many grandchildren. I don’t work, so IÂ
am flexible. Please email me with information on how
I can pursue this. Thank youÂ
I am very interested. This June my daughter is getting married and I will be home alone. Would love to cuddle babiesÂ
I would be interested in helping babies born addicted. I have free time.
I’d Love to cuddle these babies. … Please tell me How to get started …
Single, retired grandmother, former respite volunteer. Â LIve in Lake Cty IL, interested in this program.
Love too help sweet little one!
I would love to help
I would love to hold and cuddle these baby’s . I live in OhioÂ
I think Cincinnati has a hospital you can volunteer in.
I am a retired teacher and my granddaughter was in NICU due to early arrival and there was an addicted baby with her. He cried all the time. I promised myself that one day I would rock a baby like that. Now is that time. Please notify me. I live in Charleston SC.
I would LOVE to do this! Can you tell where to sign up in New Mexico
I would love to volunteer. I live in the Dallas Fort Worth Area
i live in north port fl, I would love this, where would there be a opening
How do I find out about being a Baby Cuddler? I live in Lubbock Texas?Â
I am a retired grandmother. Â Would love to help these sweet babies. Â Â
I would love to volunteer!!
Love makes the world go around,Â
Where do I sign up!
I would love to do that!
Would love to do this.