Chester County Hospital Launches Infant Cuddling Program

WEST CHESTER, PA — A new volunteer-based baby cuddling program has launched at Chester County Hospital, thanks to a $10,000 grant.

The Huggies No Baby Unhugged grant will help establish the program to give needy newborn babies the physical interaction they need to thrive.

The program is designed for especially for babies and infants that are in varying stages of withdrawal due to drug usage by the mother. Other babies may simply not have

“We serve some low socioeconomic populations who may not have reliable transportation to and from the hospital to see their babies," Susan Cacciavillano, BSN, RN, Clinical Manager of the NICU at Chester County Hospital said in the announcement. "Between these families and the number of babies admitted with neonatal abstinence syndrome, we believe that a Cuddler program will benefit our most vulnerable patients."

Healthcare experts point to various studies that demonstrate the importance of significant human contact for babies in their first weeks. Among other things, holding, rocking, and soothing babies can help with weight gain, brain development, and build the foundations of trust, according to hospital officials.

Babies that are going through withdrawal can have an especially hard time calming themselves down when crying and suffering symptoms, the hospital said. Just having a cuddle volunteer on hand can greatly improve the baby's mood, and can also help them get through some tough medical procedures.

The hospital said that they presently do not have any need for additional cuddling volunteers. However, anyone interested is welcome to check with the running list of volunteer openings here.

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