This article was originally published on February 26, 2019, and has since been updated.
The opioid epidemic is impacting newborn babies nationwide, with a baby born suffering from opioid withdrawal every fifteen minutes [1].
Babies born to mothers struggling with addiction often end up in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), experiencing withdrawal symptoms from the moment they enter the world.
To help combat this crisis, hospitals are implementing volunteer programs where citizen ‘baby cuddlers’ provide essential human connection and comfort to these infants.
One such program in Texas has seen great success, with volunteers like Army Veteran Doug Walters offering their time to cuddle and soothe newborns suffering from Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS).
Infants with NAS experience a range of symptoms, including muscle tightness, tremors, and difficulty feeding and breathing.
The loving touch provided by these cuddler programs not only comforts the babies but also supports their immune systems and overall well-being, reducing the need for medications.
This proactive empathy is making a significant impact on these vulnerable infants, aiding their development and recovery in a critical stage of their lives.
Sources
- Volunteer cuddlers help heal NICU babies at Iowa Hospital Source
- Maternal-Preterm Skin-to-Skin Contact Enhances Child Physiologic Organization and Cognitive Control Across the First 10 Years of Life Source
- Volunteer cuddlers help Fauquier newborns kick opioid dependence Source
- A Cry For Baby Cuddlers In San Antonio As Opioid Crisis Deepens Source
- 7 Chilling Things To Know About The Opioid Crisis In The United States Source
