The Cuddlers

Sometimes the simplest things, like rocking a fretful baby, make the biggest difference. That's the genesis of the variations of "cuddler" programs in hospital neonatology units across the United States. While the programs are long standing in some hospitals, they aren't always so well known in their communities.

Even veteran nurses and staff don't know how long the Cuddler-Volunteer program at Shands at the University of Florida has been in existence. But about 10 years ago, the program at the regional center, which is known for neonatal intensive care, began to expand. And with premature infants and infants with medical conditions from as far away as South Georgia and the Tallahassee area, the need for a program that helps both hospitalized babies and their nurses was evident.

"So many families are from out of town," says Constance Keeton, Shands director of volunteer services. "They stay as long as they can; the infant may be in the hospital for several months; and they have other children and family obligations." Or in some cases of premature or low-birth weight, one twin may be able to go home while the other has to stay longer in the hospital, she says.

Whatever the case, what the babies often need is simply someone to hold and rock them. "They'll tell us what they need," says registered nurse Karis Ferguson, who works with Cuddler volunteers as part of her group nursing duties. "They need nurturing, someone to hold and soothe them."

Dr. Rita Sutherland, who retired two years ago as director of the nursing program at Santa Fe College, agrees. "I go every Tuesday," Sutherland says. "The babies settle down, quiet down, and go to sleep when they are rocked." And the responses from the babies are gratifying, she says. "I never had a baby who didn't respond favorably. They need the human security of being held like any baby."

Which is where the corps of volunteers like best friends Florence O'Brist and Sharon Jones comes in. When the middle school teacher and special education teaching assistant respectively retired and moved to Gainesville four and a half years ago, they knew they wanted to be work in a Cuddler program. "We heard about a program like this when we lived in central New York state," O'Brist says. "It seemed like something we would like to do."

Jones, who shares a volunteer shift with her friend, had the same idea. "I had baby love; our kids were grown up, and I missed babies. This is such an opportunity to give back and to do something that really helps. I look into the eyes and faces of the babies as I rock them, and there is no place in the world I'd rather be."

For all the emotional comfort the Cuddlers give the babies, there is a practical side to the program as well, Keeton says. "The nurses are taking care of three or four babies. When they are feeding a baby or giving medical care, other babies may be crying or waking up. The nurses have their hands full; this is extra help for them."

While experienced mothers like O'Brist and Jones are a key element of the program, volunteers, who must be at least 18, are diverse, Keeton says. "We have men in the program as well as students." Whatever the background of the volunteers, all have extra volunteer training in addition to the Shands volunteer orientation and training.

"Sometimes people think this is a drop-in program," Ferguson says. "But it is definitely not like that." In addition to training, all volunteers must have up-to-date immunizations and wear gowns and gloves. And they must commit to a regular, three-hour weekly shift — which are seven days a week, with the first morning shift starting at 8 a.m. and the last evening shift ending at 10 p.m.

While students normally volunteer by the semester, Ferguson says a number of volunteers from the community have worked as Cuddlers for years, pulling shifts before or after work or after they retire. But even with this dedication, the long hours and number of babies means a perpetual need for volunteers, especially on weekends and holidays.

"I think more people would volunteer if they knew about the program and what it does," Jones says. "A lot of people don't realize you can do this. This is a wonderful opportunity to do something that makes a difference."

Sutherland says part of hesitation of some potential volunteers may be because the babies are small and seem fragile. But with training, volunteers learn how to comfortably hold and soothe the babies, she says. "They are just little babies that need attention, and it is easy to give it."

O'Brist agrees. "When babies are little and sick, just holding and rocking them means so much. I knew I wanted this to be part of what I did when I retired. I'm always glad to be there and rock the babies. I'll do this until they carry me out."

Interested in volunteering?

For more information on the Cuddler program, contact Shands at UF, Volunteer Services Department, Constance Keeton, 265-0360, keetoc@shands.ufl.edu. Prospective volunteers are required to fill out the volunteer application online and complete basic Shands volunteer training before applying to the Cuddler program.