The Power of Cuddling

Studies show that premature babies who receive lots of nurturing touch also receive measurable brain growth which impacts their learning up to 20 years down the road.

Hospitals around the nation, including here in the metro, consider cuddling a critical part of care. Inside the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Methodist Women's Hospital you'll find little Pearl - born 11 weeks early - and her volunteer cuddler: Nora.

"I am privileged. I get very emotional about this, really. Mommies and daddies allow me to come into their baby's room and hold their baby,” said Nora.

WOWT's Jessica Gill: The power of cuddling