Moncton hospital thanks their ‘infant cuddlers’

MONCTON – There’s a handful of Moncton volunteers who spend every week snuggled up in a rocking chair helping newborn babies get a better start in life.

Judy Gourd says she lives for the chance to offer a new life a comforting cuddle. Gourd has been volunteering as an infant cuddler at the Moncton Hospital for 10 years. She spends about three hours every week sitting quietly nuzzling a swaddled newborn.

“I have a grandson and I never got to hold him when he was a baby. So when I come in to see these little babies it just makes me full of joy,” she said.

Her calming touch is a powerful healing tool.

“When I wrap them up nice and tight and I am holding them and I am not like afraid that really helps the babies. Because, new mothers especially if they only have one child they will be a little cautious and nervous and those babies can sense that,” she said. “I am not only here for the babies I am here for the mother’s too.”

Horizon Health Network’s Jennifer Young is Volunteer Coordinator at the Moncton Hospital. She says the baby cuddlers ease the stress on new moms and their babies.

“At times a mom may be here and dad is not with her she is alone and maybe she just wants to get a cup of coffee, have a shower or maybe have a coffee date so that’s when a volunteer can provide an extra set of hands,” said Young.

Young says it takes a special kind of person to be an infant cuddler. And National Volunteer Week is the perfect time to say a simple thanks to all the volunteers who offer their time to help out at the hospital.

“It’s really hard really to put into words how appreciative we are of all our volunteers.”