Can Parents Safely Cuddle Their Babies During Therapeutic Cooling Treatment?
Research shows parents can safely cuddle babies receiving therapeutic hypothermia treatment while maintaining stable vital signs.
Source: Odd, D., Okano, S., Ingram, J., Blair, P. S., Billietop, A., Fleming, P. J., Thoresen, M., & Chakkarapani, E. (2021). Physiological responses to cuddling babies with hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy during therapeutic hypothermia: an observational study. BMJ Paediatrics Open, 5(1), e001280. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001280
What you need to know
- Parents can safely cuddle their babies during therapeutic cooling treatment while maintaining stable vital signs and temperature
- Physical contact through cuddling may help improve parent-infant bonding and breastfeeding rates
- Careful monitoring and proper procedures allow for safe parent-infant interaction during intensive care
The Challenge of Connection During Critical Care
When a newborn experiences oxygen deprivation around birth, doctors may use therapeutic hypothermia - cooling the baby’s body temperature to about 33.5°C (92.3°F) - to prevent brain damage. While this treatment saves lives and reduces complications, it has traditionally meant keeping babies separated from their parents during the critical first days of life. Many neonatal units don’t allow parents to cuddle their babies during cooling therapy due to concerns about maintaining the target temperature and managing intensive care equipment.
The CoolCuddle Study
Researchers developed a protocol called “CoolCuddle” that would allow parents to safely hold their babies during therapeutic hypothermia. They studied 27 babies receiving cooling treatment across two neonatal intensive care units, carefully monitoring vital signs during 70 cuddle sessions totaling 115 hours.
What the Study Found
The results were encouraging. While there were small measurable changes in some vital signs during cuddles, none were clinically significant:
- Core body temperature increased by only 0.07°C during cuddles
- Oxygen levels decreased slightly but remained within safe ranges
- Blood pressure increased moderately after cuddles but stayed stable
- Brain activity showed some changes but remained appropriate
Importantly, no cuddle sessions had to be stopped due to safety concerns, and there were no adverse events.
Benefits for Parents and Babies
Beyond the physical safety findings, the study revealed potential psychological and developmental benefits:
- Maternal depression scores improved between early treatment and 8-week follow-up
- Parent-infant bonding measures remained stable
- Breastfeeding rates were higher than national averages for babies receiving cooling treatment
What This Means for You
If your baby requires therapeutic hypothermia treatment, this research suggests that carefully monitored cuddle sessions can be safe and beneficial. However, implementation may vary by hospital. Consider:
- Asking your care team about their protocols for parent-infant contact during cooling therapy
- Following all safety guidelines provided by your medical team
- Being patient with the process, as careful monitoring is essential
- Taking advantage of opportunities for skin-to-skin contact when permitted
- Maintaining hope that bonding can still occur during treatment
Conclusions
- Therapeutic cooling treatment doesn’t have to mean complete separation between parents and babies
- With proper protocols and monitoring, cuddle sessions can be safely implemented
- Physical contact may provide benefits for both parent and child mental health outcomes