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Hospital searching for volunteers to help cuddle NICU babies

They're looking for volunteers 55, older
Taisha Walker
Reporter
Hospital searching for volunteers to help cuddle NICU babies

They're looking for volunteers 55, older

WEBVTT SHOWS US, THE HOSPITALHAS A CERTAIN KIND OF VOLUNTEERIN MIND.>> HELLO.OH MY GOODNESS.HELLO.TAISHA: THAT FEELING FROMROCKING A NEWBORN BABY BRINGSJOY TO TERRI DADY.>> I THINK THAT METRO PAT JUSTCOMES BACK TO YOU.TAISHA: DADY, THE GRANDMOTHER.>> I'VE BEEN A GRANDMA FOR APRETTY LONG TIME. OH LOOK, HEY, HEY.STEVEN: IS TRUMAN MEDICALCENTER'S FIRST NICU VOLUNTEER.HER JOB, TO HOLD, CUDDLE, ANDSOOTHE.>> SO IF THEIR PARENTS AREN'THERE, THEY DON'T GET HELD.AND JUST BEING HELD AND ROCKEDAND CODDLED, I THINK JUST MAKESTHEM FEEL GOOD.TAISHA: TMC CAN USE MORE HANDSAND BIG HEARTS.>> THIS IS WHY WE NEED PEOPLEHERE WHEN BABIES ARE BORN, ANDTHIS IS THE SIZE OF THEIR DIAPERAND THIS IS THE SIZE OF THEIR, DIAPER, THEY NEED AS MUCH LOVEAND CARE AS THEY CAN GET.TAISHA: VOLUNTEERS -->> 55 AND UP.>> 55 AND OLDER TELLS ME THATYOU HAVE EXPERIENCE AND YOU HAVETHE TIME.>> OH LOOK, LOOK AT YOUR EYES.HI, AUBRIE.TAISHA: THIS INTERACTION HELPSBABIES GAIN WEIGHT FASTER, ANDGET HOME SOONER.>> AND THAT BIG SMILE.DID YOU SEE THAT? [LAUGHTER]TAISHA: IT ALSO DOES SOMETHINGTO THE VOLUNTEERS, TOO.>> HOLDING A BABY THAT'S NOTYOURS JUST BRINGS BACK ALL THATLOVE THAT YOU FELT BEFORE. I'M SO HAPPY YOUR PARENTS LET MEHOLD YOU. HALEY: THERE IS NOTHING LIKEHOLDING A BABY.VOLUNTEERS MUST GO THROUGH AHEALTH EXAM, BACKGROUND CHECK, AND THEN SOME TRAINING ASWELL.STEVEN: IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOUKNOW IS INTERESTED, CALL TMC AT(816)404-3300.HERE'S ANOTHER LOOK AT THOSETINY LITTLE DIAPERS.HALEY: THE SIZE OF THE CELLPHONE.CAP TINY THOSE ARE.STEVEN: THAT'S INCREDIBLE.
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Hospital searching for volunteers to help cuddle NICU babies

They're looking for volunteers 55, older
Taisha Walker
Reporter
Officials at Truman Medical Center are asking for an extra set of hands to help their smallest, and most vulnerable patients. They need special volunteers to help rock NICU babies to sleep. That feeling from rocking a newborn baby brings joy to Terri Dady.Dady, a grandmother, is Truman Medical Center's first NICU volunteer.Her job - to hold, cuddle, and soothe."So if their parents aren't here, they don't get held," sad Dady. "And just being held and rocked and coddled, I think just makes them feel good."TMC is asking for more hands - and big hearts."This is why we need people here when babies are born," said Niki Donawa, TMC's Community Relations Director.Just look at the tiny diapers that show you just how small these babies really are."They need as much love and care as they can get," said Donawa.Volunteers must be at least 55-years-old. "55 and older tells me that you have experience, and you have the time," said Donawa. The interaction helps babies gain weight faster, and get home sooner.It also does something for the volunteers, too."Holding a baby that's not yours just brings back all that love that you felt before," said Dady. Volunteers must go through a health exam, background check, and training.If you or someone you know is interested, call TMC at 816-404-3300.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. —

Officials at Truman Medical Center are asking for an extra set of hands to help their smallest, and most vulnerable patients. They need special volunteers to help rock NICU babies to sleep.

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That feeling from rocking a newborn baby brings joy to Terri Dady.

Dady, a grandmother, is Truman Medical Center's first NICU volunteer.

Her job - to hold, cuddle, and soothe.

"So if their parents aren't here, they don't get held," sad Dady. "And just being held and rocked and coddled, I think just makes them feel good."

TMC is asking for more hands - and big hearts.

"This is why we need people here when babies are born," said Niki Donawa, TMC's Community Relations Director.

Just look at the tiny diapers that show you just how small these babies really are.

"They need as much love and care as they can get," said Donawa.

Volunteers must be at least 55-years-old.

"55 and older tells me that you have experience, and you have the time," said Donawa.

The interaction helps babies gain weight faster, and get home sooner.

It also does something for the volunteers, too.

"Holding a baby that's not yours just brings back all that love that you felt before," said Dady.

Volunteers must go through a health exam, background check, and training.

If you or someone you know is interested, call TMC at 816-404-3300.