Hasselt (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Sharlene Billen a Neonatology nurse provides essential skin-to-skin contact for newborns especially during the COVID-19 pandemic promoting their emotional and physical health through warmth and bonding.
Sharlene Billen is a nurse in the Neonatology department who has taken on a caring role since the COVID-19 pandemic began. She knows how important skin-to-skin contact is for newborns especially those who might not get many visits from their parents. So she has chosen to provide this comforting care to the babies. Sharlene has helped two different infants by giving them skin-to-skin contact which is very important for their emotional and physical health. It helps keep their body temperature steady, encourages bonding and makes them feel safe. Sharlene makes time to hold these babies close to her chest either before or after her regular shifts showing her dedication to giving them the affection they need during difficult times.
How Sharlene Billen’s skin-to-skin care nurtures newborns in Hasselt’s neonatology department?
Sharlene Billen emphasizes how important cuddling and skin-to-skin contact are for newborns especially in a Neonatology setting. These practices are essential for keeping the babies’ body temperature stable, helping their heart rate and improving the oxygen levels in their blood. It has been said that the physical closeness from this contact helps regulate these important functions which is crucial for their health and stability particularly for preterm or seriously ill babies who might have trouble with these things on their own. In addition to these health benefits skin-to-skin contact also helps babies sleep better and supports their brain development.She mentioned that cuddling is calming which helps infants sleep more peacefully and promotes healthy brain growth. This physical closeness also gives emotional comfort, reduces stress, and provides a feeling of safety which is very important for the baby’s overall well-being.
The cuddle mom shares that this can happen for several reasons like during the COVID-19 pandemic when many couldn’t visit. Some babies are given up for adoption and parents with multiple kids might find it hard to visit. Issues like drug or alcohol addiction can also make visits less frequent. Despite the challenges in healthcare the cuddle mom loves her job. She’s a nurse in the department and takes care of the babies and if they need extra attention she tries to cuddle them before or after her shift finding time since she doesn’t have kids yet.
