No Baby Unhugged: JPCH volunteers bring comfort to NICU babies

For most new parents, the excitement of bundling their brand-new baby up for the first time — strapping them into the car seat, ready to head home — is one of life’s most joyful moments.

But for some families, the journey home is not as straightforward. Parents with a child in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit often walk out of the hospital doors for the first time without their baby in their arms.

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It’s a painful reality that many aren’t prepared for, but it’s one that families like the Sarabins know all too well.

“Charlotte loves to be held,” said Jenna Sarabin, her voice soft and filled with affection as she looks down at her daughter.

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Her words carry the weight of a mother’s love, and also the quiet ache of a parent who has spent five long months by her daughter’s side in the NICU at Saskatoon’s Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, navigating the highs and lows of a difficult journey.

For the Sarabins and other families with babies in the NICU, the No Baby Unhugged program offers an invaluable lifeline. Volunteers bring comfort to babies while parents navigate the emotional challenges of separation. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

“I stay here throughout the week to be with Charlotte, and then I usually go home on the weekends to be with the kids and just kind of get stuff ready to make the week run smoother for them to go to school,” she explained.

Jenna has four other children at home — 11, nine, seven, and five years old.

Her husband Lukas shoulders the responsibility of managing the household in Meath Park, about two hours away, making trips to the hospital when he can.

The separation from her kids hasn’t been easy, and Jenna said her heart aches each time she says goodbye, knowing they can’t join her. With school schedules and the distance between the hospital and home, it’s not practical.

But despite the emotional and logistical struggle, Jenna and Lukas have found peace of mind in knowing that Charlotte is never left without the comfort of human touch.

That comfort is provided through the No Baby Unhugged program.

Audrey Hill has been a volunteer with the Saskatchewan Health Authority since her retirement in 2018. She said her role as a baby snuggler in the NICU is very fulfilling. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

Audrey Hill holds one of the most coveted volunteer positions in the entire province. It’s a program with a volunteer wait-list so long, the Saskatchewan Health Authority is no longer accepting applicants.

Once a week, Hill makes her way to the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital NICU to snuggle babies.

This initiative, launched in 2019 with the support of a grant from Huggies, helps meet the physical and emotional needs of newborns whose parents can’t always be there to provide cuddles.

“It gives me a sense of purpose,” Hill said. “I’m participating in something that’s bigger than I am.”

Each visit, Hill enters the NICU with a calm, reassuring demeanor. Before entering the unit, she pauses to wash her hands thoroughly and dons a gown, following the strict protocols of the NICU to ensure the safety of the babies. The atmosphere is one of quiet, gentle efficiency, as the nurses and doctors work tirelessly to care for their tiny patients.

Hill’s role is distinctly different than that of the medical professionals around her. She’s not there to monitor equipment or administer medication. Instead, she provides something that cannot be measured by machines or lab reports — human touch.

Audrey Hill’s gentle hugs and stories bring comfort to the babies who need it most, offering a sense of calm and connection in the busy NICU. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

Hill spends her time in the unit holding babies, often singing to them or imagining what their futures will look like.

“I try to tell them little stories,” she said. “Imagine what you’re going to be doing on your first birthday, in preschool, in kindergarten. Imagine your friends… that’s how I spend my time with them.”

Krystal Baier, a manager in the NICU, explained that physical contact plays a crucial role in a baby’s well-being.

“The power of touch is a huge thing for any human being,” Baier said. “For babies in particular, it helps with social, emotional, and physical development. It helps babies build trust with their caregivers, reduces their stress and even improves vital signs.”

NICU manager Krystal Baier said the emotional impact of the No Baby Unhugged program is felt not only by parents, but also by NICU nurses who rely on volunteers to provide essential comfort to newborns. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

The program has an immense impact not only on the babies, but also on the hospital’s nursing staff.

“The nurses absolutely love the No Baby Unhugged program,” Baier shared. “They feel moral distress having to put that infant down and leave to go to another one, especially if that infant needs to be held a little longer.”

Baier explained that the nurses are often stretched thin, managing several babies at once.

“They’ll have anywhere from two to three patients,” she said. “Nurses are responsible for full-care organization — feeding, assessment, medication. So their days are quite busy, and they may only be able to be with a patient for 20 to 30 minutes at a time.”

That’s where the volunteers come in.

Babies like Charlotte Sarabin, who was born prematurely at 29 weeks and six days, rely on these volunteers to offer the nurturing touch that is vital for their development.

After more than five months in the NICU, Charlotte Sarabin is finally home in Meath Park with her family. The No Baby Unhugged program at JPCH played a crucial role in her journey, providing comfort and care when her parents couldn’t be by her side. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

For parents like Jenna and Lukas, knowing that Charlotte is being held when they can’t be there is a huge weight off of their shoulders.

“It gives us peace of mind when Jenna has to come home,” Lukas said. “It’s not easy for her being away from Charlotte, but she knows that the kids at home are also struggling without their mom.”

Hill, who has been part of the program for several years, said she takes pride in knowing that her small, consistent actions are helping these babies, laying a strong foundation for their development in the months and years to come.

“I get to experience that quiet moment with these little newborns over and over again,” Hill said with a soft smile. “It’s such a gift.”

It’s a gift not only for Hill, but for the babies who crave comfort and for the parents whose hearts ache from being apart. And for the Sarabins, that gift is invaluable.

Due to circumstances beyond their control, many parents can’t be by their babies’ sides in the NICU. At Saskatoon’s Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, the No Baby Unhugged program ensures these little ones receive the comfort of human touch, providing a sense of warmth and security when parents can’t be there. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)