Need a snuggle? Vulnerable infants bond with volunteer cuddlers

Julia Gluck has a date with a special little guy. But todayhe's running a bit late.

He's preoccupied by other urgent matters, it appears,giving a good humoured nurse a rough time,by peeing not once, but twice in her general direction. And all she was trying to do waschange his diaper.

Finally, little baby Zayn is delivered to the outstretched arms of Gluck. He's wearing a navy blue shirt emblazoned with the words "Our little man"and a pair of matching pants.The wait was worth it.

"Here we go,"says Gluck, getting comfortable in a rocking chair."You're going to cuddle with me today."

The 66-year old Toronto woman is a volunteer cuddler at St. Michael's Hospital. Theprogram was developed about a year ago toprovidebabies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)with some extra tender loving care.

"Families can't always be in the unit 24 hours a day, sevendays a week," says pediatrician Tony Barozzino. "Sometimesit's just because of logistics ... some of them have children at homethat they're caring forwhile they have a sick child in the hospital.Sometimes the mothers themselves will have their own physical issues after delivery that requires them to be either hospitalized, or resting at home."

Gluck is a natural. An old Hebrew lullaby she sang toher own son when he was youngerdoes the trick. Soonbaby Zayn's eyelids are closing.

"Oh, big yawn,"Gluck murmurs. "You're a tired guy. It's hard work growing up."

Zaynhad a rough start. (For privacy reasons, his mother prefers we not use his full name.)Born prematurely at 31 weeks, he's been at the hospital's NICU for about twomonths. His mother has twoteenagers at home, so when volunteers like Gluck stepin, it's a lifesaver.

'It's like a second mother'

"When I go home, someone's here cuddling him and loving him just as much as me,"she told CBC News. "It's like a second mother."

There are about 20 volunteer cuddlers at St. Michaels and just as many on a waiting list. The would-becuddlers are thoroughly vetted, going through extensive medical and police background checks.

There are guidelines too for hospitals wanting to developtheir own volunteer infant cuddling program, endorsed by the Canadian Association of Paediatric Health Centres.

Besides preemies, other babiesat St. Michael's Hospital face serious challenges. They are born to disadvantaged mothers with mental health and drug addiction issues, says Dr. Barozzino.

Out of 550 babies admitted to the unit, about 7 per centsuffer from narcotic withdrawal syndrome, he says.

Human touch improves outcomes for babies

But regardless of background, allvulnerable babiesbenefit from thehealing powers of a touch.

"Human touch can lower your heart rate as a newborn," says Dr. Barozzino. "It can improve your neonatal mental health. It can improve your weight gain. It can improve their ability to tolerate their environment because there's less stress and stimulation."

"Oh my word, was that a wink?" Awake from his nap,Gluck's tiny charge is animatedmuch to her delight. "Did you wink at me?" Her cuddling time with baby Zayn is coming to an end.

I walk out of here so calm and refreshed. It's way easier than paying for therapy. I can tell you that!- Julia Gluck, baby cuddler

"It's like being in heaven,"she says. "I walk out of here so calm and so refreshed. It's way easier than paying for therapy.I can tell you that!"

Zayn is returned to his nurse. Gluck takes off her hospital gown, and dons a baseball cap with the word "Bubbie,"yiddish for grandma. She's expecting her second grandchild in the new year.

"It's the most wonderful thing,'she says about being a cuddler. "How to give back I think is a challenge to a lot of people. This is the almost perfect way of giving back."

For Zayn's family, there will bean unexpected addition at the Thanksgiving table.Baby Zaynwhoseoriginal due date was October 19 was discharged just in time for the holiday.

• Hospital connects parents, premature babies using webcams