


Tom Sarlo
Mar 31, 2023
United States
Categories:
Volunteering, Addiction, Hospitals, Infants
Throughout the United States, there has been an increase in heroin and narcotics use, and this crosses all economic levels. When expectant mothers who are addicted deliver, their child will experience withdrawal.
With an increase nationwide in addicted newborns come a longer-than-average hospital stay to wean them. Many of these babies struggle and go through the same withdrawal as adults. These babies cannot tolerate much stimulation and require hands-on attention, such as being held. Many state medical systems have adopted volunteer programs for baby cuddlers in their newborn units. The volunteers swaddle, read, softly sing, slowly rock, and hold the babies to help keep them calm.
The volunteers relieve nursing staff, freeing them to engage in more urgent medical care. Studies have shown that the volunteers working with these addicted babies recover more quickly, wean sooner, and the hospital stay is typically shorter. The volunteers are also mentors to new mothers.
Many medical centers have a long waiting list for volunteers to work as baby cuddlers. Most volunteers love doing this and feel rewarded when they can calm a baby down simply by holding them. The gifts and gratitude the volunteers receive from this loving service are priceless.
The rewards that come from being a volunteer are unforgettable. Most medical centers have a waiting list for baby cuddlers. In the meantime, there are other volunteer opportunities to consider that can be just as rewarding once you find your niche. The following are a few examples of volunteer work.
Family and patient ambassador
Patient escort
Neuro rehab
Patient Liaison
Spiritual care
Patient care extender
Visitor greeter
Therapy dog handler
Gift delivery
Visitor information
Make a positive difference in your community. Hospital patients and families often experience anxiety and fear; your volunteer work can make the experience much more peaceful.
Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash.
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