Reader report: Assistance League volunteers happy to give out cuddles
That holding a baby and giving it a bottle gives a great deal of pleasure to many people is obvious when you watch the volunteers at the Early Intervention Program at the Assistance League of Laguna Beach.
When snuggling a small baby, it makes no difference to them if the child has Down syndrome, spina bifida, poor hearing or eyesight, cerebral palsy or problems related to premature birth.
With 15 to 18 babies to dote on, volunteers gather on Wednesdays to sit in rocking chairs and cuddle and feed them while their parents receive counseling.
The day starts at 9 a.m. when mothers and fathers bring their infants to the Assistance League playroom, which is equipped with brightly colored toys. Led by professional therapists, they start with Circle Time, when the families gather to sing, play and celebrate such steps as the baby’s first time turning over.
Parents have a chance to see what is going on in other families, aiding their understanding of their own child’s progress and of the differences among children. For about 15 minutes, the families are divided into groups, each one devoted to a topic such as feeding, communication, fine and gross motor skills, and sensory, social and emotional development.
Then the parents go upstairs for professional counseling while the volunteers hold and rock their babies. Volunteers get a big charge out of holding the babies, even those who may sleep the full hour. Buggies are available for the restless ones.
The children are brought to the gatherings for their first year of life. Some are 6 weeks old when they start. When they leave, there is a graduation ceremony with black gowns and mortarboards.
Most of the families seem sad to leave, but continuing services are available for 1 to 3 year olds from the Intervention Center for Early Childhood. Some moms return later to become volunteers
The program is one of the Assistance League’s many philanthropic programs. The funds to pay for it come from sales of donated items in the Assistance League Thrift Shop at 526 Glenneyre St..
MARGOT ROSENBERG is a Laguna Beach resident and member of the Assistance League.