73-Year-Old Baby Cuddler Whispers 6 Words to Every Newborn
Dave Whitlow has volunteered at Richmond's NICU for eight years, holding fragile babies and whispering the same hopeful message to each one. His routine proves that the simplest acts of kindness can have the biggest impact.
Every Tuesday and Thursday, 73-year-old Dave Whitlow puts on a gown and gloves to hold some of the tiniest patients at Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU. Some weigh as little as two pounds.
Whitlow has been a volunteer baby cuddler for eight years, calling it "the best gig I've ever had." He's one of many volunteers across the country who provide human touch to newborns in NICUs, especially those whose parents can't always be there.
The work requires more than just showing up with open arms. Whitlow watches medical monitors closely while holding each baby, repositioning them if their oxygen levels dip. He asks nurses about each infant's specific needs and treatments before picking them up.
The retired local government manager cuddles about a dozen babies each week. But the most touching part of his routine is what he whispers in every tiny ear: "Grow strong, grow smart, grow kind."
Those six words capture what Whitlow hopes for all people, not just the babies he holds. The father of two and grandfather of three has made this simple blessing part of his mission.
Sunny's Take
Research backs up what Whitlow instinctively knows: human touch helps babies thrive. Studies show that cuddled NICU babies leave the hospital an average of six days earlier than those without regular holding. They gain weight faster, sleep better, and develop stronger immune systems.
Baby cuddling programs exist at hospitals nationwide, typically requiring volunteers to be at least 18 to 21 years old and commit to regular hours. Hospitals provide training, background checks, health screenings, and orientation before volunteers can start.
For retirees like Whitlow, the work offers purpose without being physically demanding. For the babies, it provides something medicine alone can't give: the warmth of human connection during their most vulnerable days.
Eight years in, Whitlow keeps showing up twice a week to offer his steady hands and hopeful words to Richmond's smallest fighters.
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Based on reporting by Upworthy
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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