COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – Kootenai Health has a team of professional “cuddlers” who shower premature babies with love when their moms and dads are not able to.
Elena Short will tell you that she has one of the best gigs around. She is part of the team of 23 volunteers at Kootenai Health’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It is a cute job but it is also serious work.
"Some babies you can rock, some babies you can't. Some babies you can make eye contact with.," Short explained.
Most of these babies were born prematurely. The neonatal intensive care unit can also care for infants whose mothers had drug or alcohol additions. Regardless, the cuddlers are there to give mom and dad a break, or let them go home for a day.
"We fill the gap of being the loving arms that care for them. Hold them close," volunteer Eileen Wilson said.
The cuddlers will tell you that studies have shown cuddling and being held is important for a baby's development. One mom of preemie twins is not complaining about getting a break.
"Since we can't be here 24 hours a day, every single day, with our babies, it's nice to know there's someone else here to step in and soothe them. And cuddle them," said new mother Calaise Emerson.
The program started a couple of years ago with just a few volunteers. Kootenai Health is looking for additional volunteers. Those volunteers are trained. If you want to help out, contact Kootenai Health.