Love babies? If you've got some extra time (and some extra arms), there might be a job opening that's right up your alley. That is, if you live in or around Raleigh, North Carolina. UNC-Rex Birth Center NICU is looking for volunteers to cuddle newborns — especially those who were born drug-addicted and/or premature.
Volunteer cuddlers have actually been around for a while at hospitals across the country. And make no mistake: Their job is an important one.
Recent studies have proven that cuddling babies early and often is key to their growth and development.
In fact, Nicole Ross, a registered nurse and the newborn screening coordinator at UNC-Rex Birth Center, told WRAL that cuddling babies decreases pain, lowers a baby's stress levels, and helps promote healing. "It [also] helps with brain development, and it helps decrease their length of stay," she said.
But the fact is, NICU nurses have a lot of babies to tend to, and parents can't always be there 24/7 — especially when they've got other kids at home to care for or jobs to rush back to. That is where volunteers come into play.
In fact, no one appreciates the volunteers more than the parents who can't always be there to hold their babies.
"It's a huge stress reliever," said Jennifer Majure, a NICU mom who spoke to CNN. Her 2-month-old son, Wilder, has at times been held by volunteer cuddlers, and "knowing that he's in great hands has been a great, tremendous comfort," she said.
It's a comfort for the volunteers, too.
"This is exciting for me, to get to come and snuggle babies," said Kelli Ready, one of UNC-Rex's volunteers.
CNN reports that a cuddler like Ready also comes in handy for parents of multiples. Cecelia Williams just recently gave birth to 2-week-old twins at UNC-Rex, but when she's snuggling one, the other can't always be held. Ready's open, loving arms have solved that problem.
Cuddlers have especially come in handy in recent years in the wake of the opioid crisis that's swept the nation.
Sadly, thousands of babies are born addicted to opioids each year as the result of inheriting their mother's addiction. These babies pass through NICUs all over the country, and they are in desperate need of loving care. They suffer from neonatal abstinence syndrome, which leads to painful withdrawals that come with crying jags, and often face gastrointestinal issues, breathing trouble, and other issues.
These babies may not have the best start at life, but volunteers like Ready make sure that doesn't mean they get any less love.
"I just feel like I've done something great for the babies to hopefully relieve their stress and improve their day," Ready shared with CNN.
If you're interested in becoming a volunteer but don't live near Raleigh, North Carolina, don't worry — research cuddle programs to see if any are in your area.
