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t m c » p u l s e | m ay 2 0 1 7 29 When babies are inconsolable, Konieczny said the best thing to do is put them back in their cribs and let the nurse assess if there's an underlying issue that's causing the agitation or if medication needs to be adjusted. While the volunteers provide a nurturing experience for the infants, their presence in the NICU helps the families who are separated from their babies, as well, said Texas Children's neonatologist George Thomas Mandy, M.D. Because parents may not be able to spend the whole day with their babies in the NICU, volunteers can provide comfort and gentle touch in their absence. "If somebody just gets transferred to the Texas Children's NICU from out of state, for example, then the parents may have difficulties being with the baby," Mandy said. "That's where the volunteer group comes in and provides support by holding these babies and facilitating the babies' development for them. This is very important." Volunteers in the cuddle program know that nurturing and affection can help get the babies home sooner. "There are some who have been there for a long time, and then you're just so grateful that they're well enough to finally go home," Walker said. "Hopefully, I've made a difference." Kace Patrick, who was born Dec. 2, has spent more than four months in the NICU at Texas Children's Pavilion for Women. Always sounds delicious. cookiedelivery.com Celebrate National Nurses Week with warm cookies, delivered. We definitely have babies who, no matter what you do, what you try, how you position them, they're just not having a good day and may not be consolable. — JILL KONIECZNY