In arms of an angel

The voice of the receptionist sounds over the speaker system in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at Primary Children's Medical Center: "A cuddler is available."

Karen Ellison waits patiently to see if any of the nurses respond. When nobody does, she walks quietly into the unit and through each bed station until one of the nurses hands her a baby to hold. She enfolds the delicate child in her arms and retreats to the rocker just to the side of the bed. Gently she rocks back and forth, back and forth. This is how she will spend the next three hours.

Ellison, a resident of Salt Lake City, and Carol Thomas of Holladay volunteer as cuddlers at Primary Children's Medical Center for a few hours each week.

As cuddlers they strive to offer comfort to babies in the NICU, who are receiving special medical care for various birth complications, by holding and rocking them. Some babies are too sick to be held, and while others can be held, their parents can't be with them. This is where Ellison and Thomas come in, sometimes even holding babies whose parents will be in to see them.

Both have been surprised at parents' reactions when they come in and find someone holding their child.

"On occasion I will be holding a baby when one of the parents come in. They are surprised and always so appreciative that there are others who would give care to their child," Ellison said.

One day Thomas spent her entire volunteer time visiting with a mother who had come in to see her baby and just needed to talk to someone else who could understand being around the babies.

"Parents are very appreciative of the fact that someone holds their baby," she said.

While it would be expected that the babies benefit from this contact, Ellison has also found strength from it.

"Somehow when I hold the babies, it gives energy and life back to me," she said. "Babies are very innocent. They can only accept love and caring. It's a comforting experience to hold a child."

Thomas discovered that even with her six grown children and 15 grandchildren, she still has room in her heart for more.

"I just feel that holding the babies is an important thing," she said. "They need to be held, cuddled and rocked. Some are so small they can't even be held."

Both women have been cuddlers for a while now. Ellison has been doing it since July 2002 and Thomas since May 1999.