After becoming a father, a Florida man has created a new infant safety bed that may significantly reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in newborns.
The Kickstarter campaign has been so popular that it generated over 100 000$ in just two days despite having a 30,000$ goal and 30-day timeline (1).
The product, which looks like a mesh hammock that’s secured on a crib, “holds your baby the way nature intended, no complicated mechanics, just an ergonomic design that naturally mimics your embrace.”
James Spencer, who has a 22-day-old newborn said he created the product because he was losing sleep over his daughter’s health at night. “by designing an infant sleeper that removes avoidable risks associated with early infancy I slept easier,” he said (2).
Each year in the United States, there are roughly 3,500 Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUID) from SIDS or accidental suffocation (3).
Although the rate of SIDS has been reduced dramatically since 1990, from 130.3 deaths per 100,000 to 38.7 deaths in 2014, the rates of accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed have remained the same.
SIDS is largely influenced by sleep environment. For example, babies who sleep on their stomach or side will have more difficulty breathing than when they are placed on their back. Fluffy comforters, blankets, and mattress toppers can also block the child’s airway while they sleep. Parents who sleep with newborns also multiply their risk of suffocation and being rolled over or pushed into small spaces (4).
Spencer’s product, named “Crescent Moon” improves the sleep environment of newborn children by providing a transition between the womb and the world.
The lightweight fabric is meant to “naturally support the baby in the “fetal-tuck” or the “fetal position” which is the natural position for newborn babies.” This also supports the “C Curve” of a baby’s spine, which is forced into an unnatural position when the child sleeps on a flat surface.
It even reduces the risk of flat head syndrome (Plagiocephaly) and soothes the startle reflex of newborn babies and improve their sleep and helps parents get more sleep too. It also prevents children from rolling onto their side or tummy and provides ample airflow to prevent overheating.
Additionally, the product claims to help in the following ways:
- Enables to babies to breathe easier and get more oxygen to developing vital organs. Easy breathing and more oxygen promote infant growth by freeing up calories and energy that can be used for development.
- Speeds up muscle development but also speeds up the development of nerve cells that control the muscles.
- Leads to rapidly developing motor skills.
- Helps with digestion and prevents reflux.
- Helps hip development and prevents hip dysplasia.
The product has been tested and meets U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. Since SIDS can occur anytime during a baby’s first year “Crescent Moon” should be used as soon as your child gets home (5).
While “Crescent Moon” may help lower the risks of SIDS, it cannot impact physical causes of the disease such as brain abnormalities, low birth weight, respiratory infection, and other physiological factors.