The thought of a newborn crying in their cot, with no one to tend to their needs, pulls on every mother’s heartstrings. Babies are innocent and completely dependent on their parents when they arrive in the world.

Sadly babies who have been exposed to drugs in the womb are in need of extra care when fighting for their lives in NICU.

These babies, addicted to drugs through no fault of their own, need snuggles from willing volunteers to help them recover.

Baby cuddling volunteer programs first started in the US as a response to the crippling need of babies needing cuddles and care due to exposure to drugs.

Babies who are exposed to drugs in the womb have a harder chance of life as they suffer from neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).

In some parts of the US, drug-addiction rates have increased dramatically. The incidence of NAS has increased by 383 percent in the US since 2000.

Sadly, those statistics mean there are a number of babies being delivered addicted to drugs and they need love and care from medical staff and volunteers to help them recover.

Cuddle Care Programs were established in different parts of the US to help babies born addicted to opioids.

Jane Cavanaugh, a nurse in Pennsylvania, started a volunteer program at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital to help with the increase of babies being born with substance-abuse.

“These babies going through withdrawal need to be held for extended periods,” she said. “They need human touch.”

Many of the babies aren’t able to soothe themselves, so volunteers come in to cuddle the babies to calm them.

Maribeth McLaughlin, chief nursing officer and vice president of Patient Care Services at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC in Pittsburgh oversees a group of cuddle volunteers at Magee. Mclaughlin believes babies who are held regularly need less medication and on average, go home sooner than babies who aren’t held as much.

McLaughline told Today.com, “[Cuddling] is helping them manage through these symptoms. They are very irritable; they are hard to console. This is about swaddling them and giving them that comfort and safe, secure feeling.”

Volunteer cuddle programs aren’t just isolated in America. There are many volunteer groups available in hospitals in Australia. A google search of cuddle volunteer programs in your area will bring up opportunities available, but some groups may have a 5 year waiting list. Call your local volunteer organization to see how you can assist if you feel led to help as the demand for help may vary from area to area.