Hasselt (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Neonatal nurse Charlene Billen provides newborns with essential skin-to-skin contact, promoting their emotional and physical health through warmth and bonding, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Charlene Villain is a neonatal nurse who has been in a caring role since the COVID-19 pandemic began. She knows how important skin-to-skin contact is to newborns, especially those who don’t get frequent visits from their parents. That’s why she’s committed to providing this comforting care to babies. Charlene has provided skin-to-skin contact to two other infants, which has been vital to their emotional and physical health. It helps them stay warm, strengthens their bond, and makes them feel safe. Charlene takes the time to cuddle her babies before or after her regular work hours, showing her dedication to giving them the affection they need during these difficult times.
How does Charlene Villenne’s skin-to-skin care help newborns in the Hasselt neonatal clinic?
Charlene Villain emphasizes the importance of cuddling and skin-to-skin contact for newborns, especially in the neonatal setting. These practices are essential for maintaining a baby’s body temperature, helping with heart rate, and improving blood oxygen levels. The physical closeness that comes from this contact helps regulate these vital functions, which is especially important for the health and well-being of premature or seriously ill babies who may have problems with these things themselves. In addition to these health benefits, skin-to-skin contact helps babies sleep better and aids in brain development. She notes that cuddling is soothing, which helps infants sleep more comfortably and promotes healthy brain growth. This physical closeness also provides emotional comfort, reduces stress, and provides a sense of security that is vital to a baby’s overall well-being.
The cuddle mom says this can happen for a variety of reasons. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many people were unable to visit. Some babies were given up for adoption, and parents with multiple children may have difficulty visiting. Issues such as drug or alcohol abuse can also reduce the frequency of visits. Despite the challenges of the medical field, the cuddle mom loves her job. She works as a nurse on the unit, and if her baby needs extra attention, she tries to cuddle her baby before or after work hours since she doesn’t have any other children yet.
