Indianapolis, Feb. 18, 2019 – Eskenazi Health has been awarded a $10,000 Huggies No Baby Unhugged Hospital Hugging Grant, set to significantly enhance its vital Cuddle Care Programs. This grant will enable the hospital to broaden the reach and impact of its Cuddle Buddies program, which provides crucial comfort and support to infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
The core mission of these cuddle care programs is to foster healthy development in infants. The simple act of being held is a powerful, cost-free intervention with profound benefits. Studies show that cuddling can effectively manage pain, promote better sleep, accelerate growth, and even shorten hospital stays for newborns. Trained volunteers in the Eskenazi Health NICU dedicate their time to rocking, holding, singing, and talking to these vulnerable babies, offering essential comfort and human connection.
“The cuddle care program is an invaluable asset, providing loving cuddles to our babies when our nurses are attending to other critical patient needs,” Kellie Rumple, a staff nurse in the Eskenazi Health NICU, enthusiastically shared. “It’s truly heartwarming to witness the positive impact of our volunteer cuddlers as they read and sing to the infants. This program is simply wonderful.”
It’s important to note that these dedicated volunteers complement, rather than replace, parental care. The cuddle care service is thoughtfully designed to support families, offering crucial assistance when parents need to step away from the hospital for work or other unavoidable obligations.
“Being a volunteer cuddle buddy is an incredibly rewarding experience,” says Carol Kempf, a long-time Eskenazi Health volunteer. “There’s nothing quite like holding and cuddling these precious babies.”
Eskenazi Health is actively recruiting compassionate individuals to join their team of volunteers. They are seeking individuals willing to make a meaningful long-term commitment to help expand the cuddle care programs. Volunteers typically dedicate one three-hour shift per week, becoming consistent sources of comfort for NICU infants.
Rosie Dreyling, another Eskenazi Health NICU staff nurse, emphasizes the practical help provided by the program: “The Cuddlers are such a tremendous help to nurses. Knowing that there is someone available to comfort a fussy baby, especially when I am occupied with another infant requiring immediate attention, is a huge relief. It’s incredibly stressful to hear a baby cry and not be able to immediately provide comfort.”
To ensure the safety and well-being of the infants, volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, non-smokers, and must complete the comprehensive volunteer onboarding process at Eskenazi Health. This includes a health screening, flu vaccination, and completion of e-learning modules. Additionally, all Cuddle Buddy volunteers participate in a specialized NICU Cuddle Buddies orientation to prepare them for this unique role. Eskenazi Health prioritizes a long-term commitment from its cuddle care volunteers to ensure consistency and build strong bonds within the program.
The generous Huggies No Baby Unhugged grant directly supports Eskenazi Health’s commitment to providing essential cuddle care. These grant funds are versatile and can be used to strengthen volunteer programs through recruitment and enhanced training, invest in specialized equipment like comfortable hugger chairs, develop valuable educational resources, and more.
Through the No Baby Unhugged initiative, Huggies collaborates with NICU experts to provide hospitals with specialized products designed for the delicate needs of premature and newborn infants. They also share critical clinical insights to advance knowledge and education regarding newborn skin health and development. Furthermore, Huggies actively supports the growth of hospital volunteer hugger programs nationwide and addresses diaper need awareness and donations to assist families in need.
In 2018 alone, Eskenazi Health welcomed over 2,500 newborns, with approximately 25% requiring the specialized care of the NICU. The Cuddle Buddies program is a testament to the power of collaboration, formed through the joint efforts of Eskenazi Health Volunteer Services and Eskenazi Health Women’s & Children’s Services.
For those interested in learning more about Eskenazi Health’s Cuddle Buddies program or volunteering, please contact Scott Lawson, Manager of Volunteer Services, at 317.880.3311 or via email at [email protected]. Join Eskenazi Health in making a tangible difference in the lives of NICU infants through the power of cuddle care.
