Skin-to-Skin as Medicine: Griffin’s Story and the Power of Holding Your Baby Close

At Bonsie, we believe skin-to-skin contact is more than a bonding moment—it’s essential care. For babies with medical complexity, being held close can support regulation, healing, and connection in ways nothing else can.

Griffin Francis Bates’ story is a powerful reminder of just how meaningful skin-to-skin contact is—for both babies and their parents.

Griffin’s NICU Journey: A Diagnosis That Changed Everything

Griffin was born on Valentine’s Day 2025, after what his mother describes as “a long and difficult journey to parenthood.” Holding him for the first time, she says, “everything felt perfect, and we were filled with so much hope and love.” But just two weeks later, during a routine check-up, their pediatrician noticed something alarming. What followed was a whirlwind—hospital admission, urgent testing, and a life-flight to Boston Children’s Hospital.

Within hours, Griffin was admitted to the NICU, where his parents learned their newborn son was in kidney failure. “Hearing that was devastating,” his mom, Elizabeth, shares. The reality quickly set in: Griffin would need dialysis, daily medications, and eventually a kidney transplant. His diagnosis—end-stage renal disease—meant his road ahead would be complex and uncertain.

Because Griffin’s body cannot process food and fluids like a healthy kidney would, he does not take nutrition by mouth. Instead, all of his nutrition, fluids, and medications are given through a gastrostomy tube (G-tube). He also uses a peritoneal catheter to remove waste and extra fluid as part of his treatment for kidney failure. While the medical needs were overwhelming, moments of closeness became grounding. 

Skin-to-Skin as Comfort, Confidence, and Healing in the Hospital

Even in the midst of fear and uncertainty, Elizabeth says that holding him skin-to-skin, singing to him, and watching him grow stronger each day reminded them of “the incredible resilience he has and the immense love that surrounds him.”

Skin-to-skin contact became one of the most important parts of their journey. Griffin’s mom shares that it has been central to bonding with her son—holding him close, feeling his tiny body against hers, and hearing his heartbeat created “a sense of closeness that nothing else can replace.” During long hospital stays, skin-to-skin was calming for both of them. She could feel him relax in her arms, and it helped her feel more confident as a parent, even on the hardest days. Beyond comfort, she knows skin-to-skin has real benefits for his healing and development, supporting his growth and helping his body feel safe and nurtured. Those quiet moments together, she says, remind her that “love and touch are just as powerful as any medicine.”

Adaptive Clothing for Babies With G-Tubes: Removing Barriers to Closeness

Like many parents of medically complex babies, Griffin’s family faced unexpected challenges in daily care—especially when it came to clothing. After Griffin received his G-tube, his mom quickly realized that “so many of the cute baby outfits we had just didn’t work anymore.” Snaps, zippers, and waistbands often landed right at his tube site, causing constant worry about irritation or pulling. Dressing him became a process of trial and error, learning to choose softer fabrics and adapt clothing to meet his needs.

Griffin’s family was gifted a Bonsie before he was born. At the time, she thought it was “such a sweet outfit,” but after navigating life with a G-tube, she realized how practical and special it truly was. Bonsie Skin-to-Skin Babywear made daily care easier by allowing access to Griffin’s G-tube without fully undressing him—something that saved time and helped keep him comfortable during feeds and care. She shared that she no longer had to worry about snaps or zippers getting in the way, and the soft fabric helped prevent irritation at his tube site. Just as importantly, Bonsie allowed Griffin to stay close and held.

 Griffin in a Stars Bonsie. 

Some of the moments she’s most grateful for came during late-night feeds. When Griffin was fussy and tired, she didn’t want to fully undress him just to access his G-tube. With his Bonsie, she was able to feed him quickly and comfortably, and he settled right back to sleep. Those moments of ease may seem small, she says, but they made a big difference—reducing stress and allowing her to focus on caring for Griffin and enjoying their time together.

For other parents raising medically complex babies, Elizabeth offers gentle advice: take things one day at a time and give yourself grace. There will be moments that feel overwhelming, but it’s okay to feel tired or unsure. Lean on your support network, celebrate the small victories, and trust yourself—because you know your baby better than anyone.

Today, Griffin’s family continues to share his journey in hopes of raising awareness about end-stage renal disease in infants and the realities of life with a medically complex baby. If you’d like to follow Griffin’s story, learn more, or find ways to support families like his, visit griffsgotgrit.com or follow @griffsgotgrit on Instagram. Their goal is to open more doors for research, support, and resources—so no family has to walk this path alone. Bonsie is honored to support inspiring families like Griffin’s by making skin-to-skin babywear that removes barriers to closeness and supports life-saving medical attachments.