Volunteer to Hug Babies in the ICU
When Carol Scrisack’s daughter gave birth to premature triplets in Illinois, she learned from the inside out within months how to care for premature babies in the ICU. In addition to the exceptional care she witnessed on a daily basis, she stood out in another way: some parents of babies could not spend as much time as they wanted.
Skrisak saw how parents often struggled to find a balance between work and the needs of their other children, with their desire to spend as much time as possible with their child in the ICU. Some parents may live outside the city where their child is supervised, making it difficult to visit on a daily basis. In other cases, the child may be in a foster home and have limited family visits.
So when Skrisak returned to her home in San Diego after visiting her daughter, she contacted the intensive care unit at the local children’s hospital and asked: Can I come hugging the babies?
“This is the highlight of my week,” says Skrisak, who hugs the babies for several hours every Friday morning. “Even if they just sleep all the time, they know that someone is holding them.”
In recent years, NICU hugs have become a popular way of volunteering due to some viral activities. Remember the ” grandfather of resuscitation ” who stole our hearts?
Skrisak says she could hold one baby for her entire volunteer shift, or several different babies, depending on what is needed this morning.
“Often I just walk, and if the baby is crying or is uncomfortable, I ask (the nurse) if they want me to pinch them,” she says.
Babies benefit greatly from human touch, especially with regard to their brains, bodies and immune systems. Dr. Jerry Schwartz, medical director of neonatology at Torrance Memorial Medical Center near Los Angeles, told CBS News that positive physical interaction can improve brain growth.
According to him, the benefits “at the most superficial level” are obvious. “The baby is crying, mom is not around, the nurse is busy with other sick babies, and this is an unpleasant life experience – crying and being unattended, and, voila! The hugger approaches, and the child stops crying.
The support he provides to parents during such a difficult time is also critical.
“When parents come and I have their child, they are very grateful,” says Skrisak. “I feel amazing when I leave. I feel like I really helped someone and I feel like I am giving children a good start. “
Today, many ICU hospitals have cuddling programs in which volunteers are trained, tested, and immunized before they can begin. To volunteer, contact your local hospital and inquire about their qualifications for the cuddle program.