Volunteer 'cuddlers' comfort babies
The wife of former Victorian Premier John Cain is among a group of 'baby cuddlers' at the Royal Women's Hospital's neonatal intensive care unit.
Nancye Cain is among a group of volunteers who give up their own time to settle, comfort, play and cuddle babies when their parents are not able to.
The program began 11 years ago, providing cuddlers for babies born to drug-addicted mothers.
It has since expanded offering extra help to parents of multiple births and long-distance parents who have their hands full with other siblings.
Mrs Cain became a volunteer five years ago following her very public life during husband John Cain's time in office.
"I had three children, 10 grand children and they were all growing up and didn't want to be cuddled anymore," she told 7News Reporter Karen O'Sullivan.
Volunteer cuddlers are put through a special training regime to hold and settle babies.
While it is a joy for the volunteer, cuddles are essential to the health, well-being and development of a newborn.
Program co-ordinator Debbie Black said: "They are usually more settled, they have a higher weight gain than babies who don't have cuddles and parent contact."
"Sometimes they have a lot of wind, and they are very difficult to pacify so it's not always easy," Mrs Cain added.
Info: Volunteer team at the Royal Women's Hospital.
There will never be a shortage of baby cuddlers at the hospital, with potential volunteers on a five-year waiting list to become involved with the program.
The free service runs from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 5pm, during some evenings and at some weekends.
