May 7-13 is National Hospital Week. It’s dedicated to recognizing the efforts of countless hospital employees, including volunteers, who work hard to provide care to others.
Sometimes there are no words to express the feeling of making a difference in another’s life—no matter the size of the gesture.
Sara Kaiser of Hermitage is a volunteer who has learned to leave her life outside the door every time she steps foot in UPMC Horizon-Shenango’s Level 2 nursery.
Kaiser is one of several volunteers in UPMC Horizon-Shenango’s Cuddler Program who provides gentle care to infants who are showing symptoms of withdrawal.
“We love to be around the little ones, and [we] try not to be judgmental,” Kaiser said. “We recognize the little one didn’t make this decision. We’re doing it for them.”
UPMC Horizon-Shenango’s Cuddler Program is an extension of the volunteer cuddler program established by the Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC in Pittsburgh. Before the program came to UPMC Horizon-Shenango, infants who were exposed to opioids in utero and showed symptoms of withdrawal would be taken to Pittsburgh to receive care, which made it difficult for many families to visit.
As a volunteer cuddler, Kaiser assists with feeding and changing, when necessary, but she spends most of her time cuddling and giving affection to her assigned infants.
Cuddling is her most important task.
Babies are not born addicted to opioids, which is a common misconception. They are exposed to opioids in utero and show symptoms of withdrawal after birth. Infants can show signs of withdrawal a few hours after birth, while others might not show them until days later.
When they go through withdrawal, infants can experience trembling, uncontrollable crying, muscle contractions, trouble sleeping, sensitivity to light and more, which is why they’re wrapped tightly before volunteers cuddle them.
“They need to sense another human being because they are going through withdrawal. It’s painful, and it hurts. It’s not a pleasant thing,” Kaiser said.
Kaiser has been a hospital volunteer for many years. Before becoming a cuddler, she had to go through extensive training.
In addition to completing the general hospital volunteer application process, which includes an interview, criminal background check, and two-day orientation, Kaiser and her fellow cuddlers needed to obtain a child abuse clearance and complete FBI fingerprinting through the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Following the results, the volunteers complete a short clinical training to learn techniques for comforting the infants other than traditional methods, which don’t necessarily work on the children in their care. Volunteers cannot smoke or wear fragrances.
Volunteers in the cuddler program work on a schedule. Each chooses one to three days to work and a time section, usually tied to feeding time, to work in three- or four-hour shifts. Volunteers must call in two hours before their shift to ask if they are needed. When a baby’s mother is visiting or comes in later, the volunteers work with another infant, if one is available.
“When I’m not needed, it’s great because no baby is suffering,” Kaiser said. “But, I do miss the cuddling.”
Kaiser’s advice for anyone who is interested in being a cuddler: focus on the task at hand.
“Learn to leave your outside life at the door,” she said. “You need to be calm and settled because the babies sense when you’re agitated.”
When asked why she volunteers, Kaiser tells The Starfish Story.
“I’m giving them a chance. We just all hope we’re making a difference in their lives,” she said.
UPMC programs are at full capacity with volunteers and are no longer accepting applications. If you are interested in becoming a hospital volunteer, find your local hospital’s volunteer page for opportunities and requirements. Cuddler programs may not be available in all areas.