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ger for more serious conditions. ?e gentle
touch
and loving care provided by cuddlers have an immeasurable impact on the
nicu
babies
. one group of
babies
is especially fussy? the neonatal accident
babies
, or nas ba- bies. many nas infants have withdraw- al symptoms due to exposure to drugs in the womb. it can take anywhere from weeks to months for these
babies
to withdraw, and some of their symptoms include sweating, shaking, and difficulty sleeping. ?to be able to take one of those
babies
and quiet and soothe them is one of the greatest joys,? says elaine. elaine actually thinks the hardest part of her job is the lack of
babies
that need comfort during any given shift. ?we walk around and listen for the cry of
babies
,? she says with a laugh. during the quiet times of a cuddler?s four-hour shift, the volunteers often sort and fold blankets and clothing. cuddler programs have become a staple to most hospitals across the nation be- cause of the many benefits. for parents of an infant in the
nicu
, the stress is already tremendous. ?is stress is mag- nified when parents cannot be present 24-7. ?e medical community has long known that the power of human
touch
is as vital to the well-being and survival of an infant as medical care. ?e loving im- pact of cuddlers in bridging the gap be- tween medicine and the
touch
provided by a baby?s parents has made these self- less volunteers a new kind of hero in the world of the
nicu
. ? to be able to take one of those
babies
and quiet and soothe them is one of the greatest joys. april 2016 | brparents.com 47
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