Job advert for volunteer to cuddle babies in NICU

[columbosscruffycoat]

My local health authority has just advertised for volunteers to go and work in the nicu cuddling babies. It’s not a joke, it’s a genuine advert. I can’t imagine any parent would want some random person cuddling their poorly baby. I can’t believe the nhs has come to this. Just wondered what people think about this and whether it’s happening anywhere else in the uk. I’m in the northwest uk.

I can’t believe the nhs has come to this.

I genuinely think, of all the things I've read about the NHS in recent years, this is one of the best and most heart warming. Both in terms of recognition that this is medically helpful and the kindness of people prepared to give up their time to do it.

It’s a lovely idea.
As many people have already said, Prospective volunteers will be screened , DBS enhanced checked and trained.

Nursing staff will know which babies would benefit- Human contact for little ones, the sound of a heartbeat, the rise and fall of breathing- gentle rocking and soothing-

Far better than a cot.

I agree. I think you would have to be very stupid or very self centered to see this as anything other than a positive thing. Unfortunately stupid self centered people seem to be on the increase.

Everyone is entitled to make their own decisions about how their baby is cared for even if you "can't get your head round it" Also, a baby who is already that sick, wouldn't really be saved by the occasional cuddle from a stranger. I think some people are making this sound a lot more dramatic than it is and implying people are neglecting their children by refusing to allow this service. Yes, for babies whose parents cannot be there at all I can see a benefit. And, even for the ones that can be there most of the time who would still opt in, that's great for them. But don't pile onto people who make a very legitimate choice to not allow it. I wouldn't have made use of this service when my very premature babies were in the hospital. Also, "cuddling" a micro preemie is very, very different from one which is older even by a few weeks.

Kangaroo care has been shown to have better outcomes for babies it helps regulate their breathing.
Its a bit like being horrified by donor milk when in NICU donor milk can help a premmie infant and the reduction rate of life threatened NEC is significant which is why its recommended.

As many posters have pointed out this isn't for neonatal babies where a parent is able to be giving some kangaroo care each day. It's for babies where that isn't a possibility for whatever reason or to offer the parent a break if they live a distance away etc.

DS1 was in neonatal (not long by many standards of just over a week) but I had to fight quite hard not to be discharged and the reason I wasn't was because I was bf. We lived over an hour away each way to our local unit but there were babies from Shetland and Orkney there.

I think people are definitely struggling to differentiate here. There are so many benefits to kangaroo care and it would be lovely and extremely helpful for the babies who don't have anybody to do that or whose parents would indeed opt in if they wanted a break. Too many people seem to be focusing on the parents who say they would have opted out like they're being neglectful or actually causing their baby to die or something. And accusing them of being selfish and treating their baby like a possession. When the reality is these parents would probably opt out because they can and did do it themselves. But just not being comfortable with the idea is perfectly alright too. I didn't even want family members holding my micro preemie twins and was extremely glad the hospital didn't allow it at all.

I would consider that cuddles from myself and my dh plus medical care from drs and nurses would be enough for my baby if I had another in NICU and this was suggested. That’s my personal choice. If another mother chose to accept the offer of volunteer cuddles for her baby then I wouldnt judge as again - personal choice. If a baby has no visitors at all then yes I can see the benefit of this scheme for them. For me it would be a no and I do not believe that would have any measurable impact on my child’s survival
at that point or long term outcome .

Lots of posters have described their own personal circumstances and experiences of extremely sick babies and explained as to why this scheme isn't appropriate for all babies, whilst recognising that it can be hugely beneficial for others. That doesn't make them stupid or self centred. It is a wholly human response to what for many is the most upsetting and stressful experience they will ever go through at a time of incredibly heightened hormonal change as well.

Doctors and nurses will direct volunteers to those babies who will be helped by it and not toward those babies who are too small/too ill/too fragile to be held. Are you thinking of this as some free-for-all where volunteers just go in and pick up whatever baby they want and do what they like with them? That's not how it would work.

💐 to all mums of NICU babies.

(I do agree that parents' permission should be sought, and I'm sure it is. Not arguing that that's unreasonable, and of course it's not automatically stupid or self centred if parents have reason to feel better refusing permission)

It says explicitly in that link they don't recruit volunteers for that. Same with GOSH.
Sadly!

There was a lovely story recently in our local paper about a grandad who’s wife had recently died and he went in every day to hold the babies - gave him a purpose and was lovely for the babies. They are vetted and supervised at all times

I would think parents are absent, or a distance away.

I don't understand how this service has been so completely misunderstood.
do people really assume that any old Jo Schmo just wanders in with grubby hands and clothes and enters the NICU and picks up a baby they like the look of?

That just won't be happening.
Of course any baby too frail to be held won't be touched by volunteers.

Probably the calibre of volunteer will be those with a genuine love of tiny babies who have had a lot of experience with them and a nurturing way about them.

The likes of ''EMIN'' who has been mentioned before.

They aren’t just grabbing rando’s off the street to cuddle these very fragile newborns. Some babies get transferred hundreds of miles from home because they are premature and need a specialist setting and there are none closer and other babies who perhaps aren’t premature but are born with serious conditions requiring surgery at a leading hospital, again this could be miles from home. I work for a trust that has a speciality in childrens and neonatal cardiac surgery. We have patients transferred sometime hundred of miles for a bed at this hospital. If mum or dad has other children at home to get ready for school, they cannot be with their baby too. At least they know their baby is being picked up and cuddled and being given human contact rather than just medical care.

This is a really good idea. Women with other children at home would probably be glad that a baby is being held and comforted rather than left to cry when staff are busy.

My twins were born premature. My daughter spent 90 days in NICU whereas my son spent only 56. I also had a 5 year old at home. I spent every possible minute I could spreading my time across my three children. But there were times I drove in the middle of the night having expressed my milk to go and feed my daughter because I couldn't bare the thought of her being alone. The nurses are angels and give the best care, but it would have been a comfort to know there were more people around her to give her love when I physically couldn't.

Yes, I agree permission should be sought and parents free to say 'no'. Similar to breastfeeding, everyone knows breast milk is best, but women are free to make other choices that work better for them. personnally, I'd prefer my poorly baby in the warm arms of a human being, ideally, skin to skin than alone in an incubater. I would rather they had breast milk, even if not mine, as well.

I'm pregnant with my second currently, who is going to spend several months in the nicu when he's born. I also have a 3 year old to look after, who will only be allowed in during visiting hours. I'd love for someone to cuddle my baby when I have to come home.

They don't do the baby cuddling though it says.

My DS was in NICU eleven years ago.

At the same time there was a baby in there who had been found abandoned in a bag in a park.

There were volunteer cuddlers back then and it's a very important role. Especially for babies who have no one

I'd literally use lots of my annual leave to do this. What an absolute privilege ☺️

I've thought of another benefit.. When I was teaching the students taking childcare courses and health and social care courses all had to do a work placement.

Getting a placement in a hospital is near impossible but this would be ideal for a student looking to go in to nursing or midwifery.

@MeowCatPleaseMeowBack that brought a lump to my throat, poor little soul, I'm glad he had you to bring him some comfort.

This is actually an excellent initiative.
have not read other posts, so no idea what others think. I just read your OP and immediately had to post (NICU doctor here).

Staff often have to cuddle babies for a variety of reasons. Human contact/touch/intrraction is essential for their development and growth. It makes such a massive difference. Unfortunately, there is not enough staff & time.
A few hospitals have been doing this ages.
I am glad it is getting more widespread.
It is part of volunteering.

Volunteers make a such a huge contribution to the NHS and thrre are a lot of trusts that would have truly crumbled without their support.

They raise thousands for trusts's initiatives, they save millions by volunteering their time, they ensure the continuation of some services or establishment of some services (especially in DGHs) that otherwise would have been moved to tertiary hospitals/more well-off trusts which obviously just makes accessing your healthcare needs that more difficult.

I am really pleased that their helping out in this way, is becoming more widespread.