Shantel

Shantel is very sickly and crib bound. She loves to be held and nurtured, but she is sensitive and fragile, so her first response is usually to shrink away from the touch of strangers. She has difficulty thriving and can sometimes resist eating. She eats much better if held and gently spoken to while being given a bottle. She struggles with breathing problems and requires close monitoring. Shantel can get overstimulated easily by commotion and loud or sudden noises, and often show her discomfort by crying. When Shantel cries she can be hard to console. When distressed she responds well to being quietly sung to, held, or having a hand placed on the back of her neck and her head. If she seems inconsolable ask a staff member for assistance. It is best to approach her gently and quietly.