Awards
Child and Family Unit
Auckland Children’s Hospital
Private Bag, Auckland
New Zealand
January 9, 1993
Mr. Robert Hanson
Consumer Affairs
C.P.O. 1601
Brisbane, Queensland 4001
Australia
Dear Sir:
I am writing this in support of the Safe T Sleep (NZ), a bed wrap that is being used in New Zealand to promote good sleeping habits in infants. This product is not a restraint but a wrap that allows parents to ensure that their infants are secured in a safe and comfortable sleeping position.
We see many parents in our Unit who are distressed by their children’s poor sleep patterns. Some of these children are special needs children who are developmentally delayed and have extremely poor sleep habits which mean that their parents must get up several times a night to attend to them. Others, are children who are overly active and cause considerable worry for their parents by climbing or falling out of their cots. I can see great advantages for these parents to use a bed wrap such as the Safe T Sleep.
While we have not had the opportunity to trial the product to a great extent, in the case we have advised parents about this product we found that, when properly demonstrated, the Safe T Sleep was a great help. Children slept better, with less wakening and parents found that they also could sleep assured that their child was safe and comfortable.
The Safe T Sleep is a product that I am very happy to recommend to parents and one that I feel sure will allow both parents and children a more secure and restful sleep.
Sincerely,
Linda L. Chard Leah Andrews
Clinical Psychologist Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
CHILD & FAMILY UNIT
Auckland Children’s Hospital
PB 92024
PH: 3074901
3 July 1992
Ms Miriam Rutherford
6 Neralee Court
TAKANINI
Dear Miriam
Thank you for giving information about your new product the “Safe T Sleep” to the Child and Family Unit. We were impressed both with the considerable thought you have put into the product and its presentation. We are unaware that there is any similar product available to parents at present.
Certainly we can see many advantages and uses to such a product, particularly for active babies and toddlers but also for special needs children who may take longer to learn about safety aspects. Disrupted sleep and anxiety about children’s safety can cause havoc for parents of young children and such a product may help them considerably.
Although we have no one at present who could help with trialling the product we are happy to know that we can contact you if one does arise.
We would be pleased to recommend your product to parents in the future for appropriate situations.
Yours sincerely
LINDA CHARD
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Hi there,
I’m delighted to attach our Mum’s Love logo which we’ve awarded to the Safe T Sleep™ Wrap for the continuous stream of reviews it has received from the babyworld community:
http://www.babyworld.co.uk/information/reviews/product.asp?id=259
We now have 407,000 unique users at babyworld and the reviews section is open 24 hours a day for them to add their thoughts on any of the baby products they’re using at home. Hence, we know a product is worth it’s weight in gold when it receives lots of good comments!
I’ve attached both low and high res so please feel free to use them for any of your marketing activities.
Best Wishes,
Lara Green
Consumer Editor
babyworld.co.uk
T: 020 8449 8552
Mrs Linley Todd
Liverpool NSW Australia
14th July 2004
Dear Miriam,
I was first introduced to your product and Parents, babies and childrens expo in Sydney in 2004. I thought it sounded fantastic and oh how I wished I had one when my Son Jarryd was a baby. Jarryd wasn’t the greatest sleeper – I even resorted to taking him to settling clinic for help with his sleep routine. He often got a leg/arm stuck in the bars of the cot, would roll onto his stomach, he would end up entirely at the wrong end of the cot and be completely uncovered in the middle of winter. I believe if I had owned a Safe T Sleep back then – most of his settling issues would have been non existent.
I have been doing some babysitting for a friend and thought what better opportunity than to use it on her baby Hunter, as a trial.
It was easy to position on the mattress. Hunter certainly thought it was a strange idea. For about 1 minute he couldn’t seem to understand why he couldn’t roll over. That was about all the adjustment it took for him. He hasn’t looked back. I saw an immediate improvement in his sleep pattern. Instead waking after 45 minutes, the length of his nap improved. He had previously been able to roll over onto his tummy and was unable to roll back. He would also kick off the sheets/blankets, or become dangerously tangled in them. It also prevented him from getting his arms and legs caught between the bars. Even after a weeks holiday interstate with his family, the return to my house and the Safe T Sleep at nap time, occurred effortlessly.
I have since bought a second Safe T Sleep to use as a spare when laundering is needed, as I’m sure I won’t want to be without it for a single sleep.
Using the Safe T Sleep left me feeling a lot more relaxed and I was checking on Hunter less often because I felt he was safer. Anything that reduces the anxiety/stress of parenting gets my vote.
Thanks so much for the educational version you provided for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Sydney where I work. I can see even more benefits for its use in the clinical setting. The importance of positioning in neonates particularly or premature babies is well documented and the Safe T Sleep will certainly help contribute to improvements in developmental care.
Thanks so much for a brilliant product. I can’t recommend your product more highly. Looking forward to using it on baby no:2.
Wish me luck.
Linley Todd
Mother of 1 so far :)
Babysitter/child minder
Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse
Foster Mum wannabe
33 Sheridan Tce
JOHNSONVILLE
28 October 1997
Miriam Rutherford
Safe-T-Sleep
P O Box 135
Takanini
AUCKLAND
Dear Miriam,
I was so very impressed with the advertisement I saw on T.V. for the Safe-T-Sleep. Here was a product that was primarily to keep a baby/toddler safe in a cot/bed and at the same time give them security and comfort while still allowing a reasonable range of movement. Not only does the Safe-T-Sleep eliminate the need for bumper pads around cots or extra pillows around beds to prevent injuries, but is prevents baby rolling onto its stomach. The Safe-T-Sleep is so convenient for travel. Its versatility and compactness makes the portacot unnecessary.
When my daughter was born earlier this year the purchase of a Safe-T-Sleep was my main priority. Although the advertisement had really impressed me, I didn’t realise the true value of the Safe-T-Sleep until I began to use it. When my daughter is in her cot I feel confident knowing that she is safe, that she cant become tangled in the cot rails or wriggle down under the blankets, or even end up on the floor. She appears to settle well with this safety wrap around her as if she feels secure.
As a registered nurse I am becoming more aware of the advantages this product could have in paediatric wards. It is not uncommon for staffing levels to be very low at times and generally on night duty there are often only two nurses to cover a full ward. The use of the Safe-T-Sleep would ensure that the baby/toddler would remain safe in a cot/bed if the nurse was unable to get to the child as soon as it woke.
In some situations the Safe-T-Sleep would be beneficial in the care and treatment of the baby/toddler, i.e. where its movement needs to be limited or controlled because of intravenous therapy, repair of fractures and other surgical procedures which require limited movement to allow for healing.
The reality is that staffing levels are unable to provide the environment for ultimate safety for our children in hospital but the Safe-T- Sleep would go a long way towards improving the safety standards and decrease the risk of accidents. Situations for the use of the Safe-T-Sleep are numerous but the results are always the same – a safe and secure sleep for the baby/toddler and peace of mind for the care-giver.
Yours sincerely
Christine Frost
28 February 1995
Miriam Rutherford
Safe ‘T’ Sleep N.Z. Limited
P O Box 135
Takanini
AUCKLAND.
Dear Miriam,
The New Zealand Child Safety Foundation are extremely pleased to endorse the Safe T Sleep Sleepwrap.
While is has not been the policy of this Foundation to endorse particular products we commend you on your initiative in addressing what is a problem with very young children – Safety while sleeping.
The foundation recognises the indepth research supporting the Safe T Sleep Sleepwrap and is impressed with the presentation. The detailed instructions accompanying this product are clear and easily understood. Finally the portability of the Safe T Sleep Sleepwrap ensures safety for the child in a variety of situations.
We would be pleased to be identified with any advertising and press released which promote Child Safety. However, we ask that any advertising material carrying the Child Safety Foundation logo is forwarded to this Office for approval prior to publication.
Yours faithfully,
Gael Brooks
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
AW:MCS
15 September 1995
Miriam Rutherford
Safe-T-Sleep,
P.O. box 135
TAKANINI.
Dear Miriam,
I wish to express to you our endorsement of the Safe-T-Sleep.
The Mothercraft Unit at Waikato Hospital is New Zealand’s only live-in residential unit for mothers and babies from birth to one year of age. Many of the infants that have come in to our service have disturbed sleep patterns and require a Sleep Programme. We have found the Safe-T-Sleep invaluable for keeping infants in a safe and secure sleep position , and see a vast improvement in the duration of the time they sleep over the four nights it takes to do the Sleep Programme. At the end of the programme we see a happy contented child and relaxed parents. Most parents choose to continue to use the Safe-T-Sleep.
With kind regards.
Yours sincerely,
ALISON WILLIAMS
CHARGE NURSE
MOTHERCRAFT UNIT
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
SAFE-T-SLEEP – INFANT BEDWRAP
This product designed to ensure the safety of infants and toddlers during sleep, is a new concept; it has the potential to be of use in promoting safe sleeping positions in young babies and restful sleep in older children.
The latter is important in that it therefore encourages restful sleep for parents.
A T Nightingale
Manager
Maternity Services
23 December, 1992
CHILDREN’S HEALTH:
SOUTH PACIFIC
SAFE-T-SLEEP
6 Neralee Court 23/12/92
Takanini
Auckland.
Dear Miriam,
Thank you for visiting me at my work place and the offer of a Safe T Sleep bedwrap to be used as a loan product with selected clients under my professional care. I first heard about Safe T Sleep earlier this year from one of my colleagues who drew my attention to your brochure and circulating information. This product interested me from two points of view, that of a professional working with children in the Child Mental Health area (Child and Family Unit, Auckland Children’s Hospital) and private practice, and secondly as a mother who has raised a difficult child with attentional and learning problems.
It needs to be made quite clear at this point that I am not in the position to do extensive trials with this product as my case load covers six months of age to seventeen years inclusive and the number under 4 years old is not great enough to conduct such trials.
Currently I have two young children using Safe T Sleep; one child 22 months old and one 27 months old. Both children some under the mental health diagnostic category of pervasive disorder which means they have a degree of developmental delay which includes speech language, social and emotional development. The two children also have sensory disturbances. These children are restless, overactive sleepers who wake frequently during the night and one (27 month old) regularly climbs out of her cot three and four times a night. Both set of parents had experienced disturbed sleep nightly, were extremely tired, and martial relationships were stressed when first seen with their respective children. Now having experienced a few weeks of peaceful nights, the first since their children were born, the parents are less stressed and more able to cope with their child’s ongoing problems. Much to the parents delight, both children have begun to develop better sleep patterns as a result of using a Safe T Sleep bedwrap and are very pleased with the product. Neither of the parents had any trouble introducing the product to the child nor any problems such as the children undoing the wrap, or it coming undone, the child wriggling out or the band riding up during sleep. One mother has used a safety lock safety pink with the wrap, as advertised by the designers, quite successfully as a additional precaution.
As a mother of a hyperactive and difficult child who was a poor sleeper and who had difficulty developing normal sleep patterns, I would have welcomed a product such as this bedwrap. The stress and strain that such a child places on the family unit is difficult enough to cope with without having to spend every night with little sleep trying to keep your child safe, comfortable and and happy. The average public know little of the trials that parents of such children go through for their child nor do they appreciate the stress on the children themselves. I have experienced such a child myself, seen how a poor sleep pattern affects such a child during the day and see many others through my professional capacity as an Occupational Therapist.
I do not see this product as a child restraint because of the way it has been designed and is being marketed. This bedwrap design allows for natural movement during sleep and does not restrict the child’s limbs while simultaneously keeping the child in a comfortable supine position. A Position that is advocated as a preventative for cot death. I would be happy to continue recommending this product to parents who have a child who would benefit from the use of a Safe T Sleep bedwrap. I feel it is way to use and launder and is exactly what is sets out to be, a safe product for use with children.
Yours sincerely,
Ann Christie
Dip OT, NZROT
Senior Occupational Therapist
18 December 1992
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
RE: SAFE T SLEEP
I have been asked to comment on the above product. Whilst I have not used the product or been involved in its testing and development, Miriam Rutherford approached me early in the development and testing of this product in New Zealand and I made some suggestions which she has followed through with.
This product has been designed with two intentions in mind.
1 For short term use for small infants in conjunction with a changing mat or other such situations.
2 To be used in conjunction with a cot or bed to maintain the child in a safe and appropriate sleeping position in the middle of the cot or bed and for small infants less than six months to help them maintain a supine sleeping position.
A recent national study here in New Zealand has suggested the supine sleeping position is much safer than either a side sleeping or prone sleeping position in terms of risk for cot death.
I have suggested that, in conjunction with the Plunket Society and other organizations, that a survey and a trial of how this product is received by parents was appropriate. I note that this has been done and, while not being an expert in assessment of such devices or child safety, I would comment that there appeared to be no problems in using this device with some 58 babies.
There may be a concern that parents would use this device for restraint of infants. This is not evidenced from the study that was carried out and I do not believe this is a likely eventuality. Parents who buy this sort of device are likely to have better parenting skills and to be able to use the device in an appropriate manner. I understand an appropriate form of education will be provided with the device emphasizing that Safe T Sleep be used for older infants while asleep and be used only in short term situations to restrain an infant e.g. on a change table, changing mat, etc for restraint.
Nigel Stewart
M.B., Ch.B., D.C.H., F.R.A.C.P.
PAEDIATRICIAN
EPSOM MEDICAL CENTRE
14 December, 1992
Mr Robert Hanson
Consumer Affairs
C.P.O. 1601
Brisbane
Queensland 4001
AUSTRALIA
Dear Sir,
I understand you are seeking information regarding the product “Safe-T-Sleep New Zealand” which has now been used fairly extensively in the Auckland are of New Zealand for some months.
I have had several of my patients trial this over the last year and have had a universal acceptance of the product and enthusiasm for its efficacy and safety.
As a neonatal Paediatrician I see many infants who we would regard as at high risk of sudden infant death and many of whom are already on an apnoea monitor. As you probably know the nationwide 3 year prospective survey of infants in New Zealand showed quite clearly that supine sleeping carried with the lowest risk of all sleep positions for subsequent sudden infant death syndrome. Naturally, the inability of some parents encourage their babies to lie in the supine sleeping position has hed to much anxiety as the results of the study have been published. The Safe-T-Sleep is ideal for infants who are either very mobile and restless or who do not have a preference for lying supine. I know of no parents who have used “Safe-T-Sleep” at an early age who have not been able to encourage their infants to sleep supine.
Among the many desirable aspects of “Safe-T-Sleep” is the fact that the waist band is wide and relatively thick so that there is no danger of the wrap being pulled into a narrow cord which might potentially suffocate an infant. Some small surveys have shown that the infants who are being swaddles with a “Safe-T-Sleep” are sleeping longer and more restfully. We realise that the latter is a subjective assessment.
It seems that already in the lay-press, e.g. Little Treasurers magazine, the product is being enthusiastically received and I don’t think one can over estimate the relief of anxiety which this product has been able to provide for parents who have had children suffer cot death or who have been premature.
Many of the potential critics of the back lying sleep position have expressed concern about the possibility of aspiration. This is clearly not a problem as the cot death studies, both here and in Australia, have shown.
I have no hesitation in recommending this product both for its efficacy and for its easy of use and safety.
With kind regards,
Yours faithfully,
SIMON ROWLEY MB ChB FRACP
Paediatrician
2 November 1992
Mrs M Rutherford
6 Neralee Court
Takanini
AUCKLAND
Dear Miriam,
Re: SAFE-T-SLEEP SURVEY RESULTS
It is clear from the results of the trial of the Safe-T-Sleep that there are clear advantages in its use for particular reasons/ problems during early childhood.
The fact that the product is being used in hospital situations and by professionals to assist clients is an indication of its uses.
As with any product on the market it is important that the Safe-T-Sleep be used for the purpose it is intended and that a child is not left restrained in the wrap in a distresses state.
The Plunket nurse who used the Safe-T-Sleep during the “sleep programme” run by the Family Centre was obviously in favour of its use for children who were taking part in the programme. The parent were delighted with the positive results.
The Safe-T-Sleep received favourable comments from those parents who trailed it with their children. It also is used in a variety of hospital situations with positive results.
I hope these comments are of help.
Yours sincerely,
Sue Campbell
Child Safety Officer
30 April 1992
Miriam Rutherford
Neralee Court
Takanini
Dear Miriam
I am writing in response to your request for my opinion regarding your product “Safe T Sleep”. I must say I am most impressed with every aspect of and including the presentation. I have also shown it to several of my patients with young infants, and two patients are currently trialling it at present. One mother is an intensive care nurse with a young premature infant and the other is a woman who has had a previous infant with sudden infant death syndrome.
The Safety T Sleep is clearly well presented, attractively coloured and easily washable natural material, which to my mind makes it very acceptable. It is easy to apply and use, and appears to be very comfortable for the infant. In particular, the waist band is wide and relatively thick so that there is no danger of the wrap being pulled into a narrow cord which might have its own complications if a child were restless and struggling with it. Many infants in fact respond to being swaddled with a wide band or blanket and in this respect I think as well as helping infants maintain a back lying position and preventing them from climbing out of their cot, it may also promote faster sleep and more restful sleep.
Clearly, one of the main advantages is in lessening anxiety in parents who have already had an unhappy experience either in their immediate family or with near relatives. I agree with you I have not seen any other products like it and there is a need for something like this to be marketed. In this respect you have my support and best wishes, and I would be very happy to recommend it to my patients.
With kind regards,
Yours faithfully,
Simon Rowley, MB ChB FRACP
Paediatrician
2 December 1992
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
RE: SAFE T SLEEP
I have been asked to comment on the above product.
Whilst the Special Care Baby Unit does not use this device, I can see definite advantages for it, particularly with older babies out of the newborn period.
Advantages:
1 Prevent baby from rolling on to stomach – a major concern for cot death.
2 The product appears safe with no sharp edges or appendages that could be swallowed or inhaled.
3 The prevention of movement around the cot or bed minimises injury such as catching heads, arms or legs between bars. I would also prevent the throwing off of covers in the middles of the night so frequently experienced. This in turn promotes a sense of security and hopefully a better night’s sleep.
I would like to endorse this product and would recommend its use for the above reasons.
Yours faithfully
Maree Karl (Dip. Nsg & Midwifery)
Charge Midwife
SPECIAL CARE BABY UNIT
REPORT FROM DIANE LADD RE VISITS TO MIDDLEMORE HOSPITAL.
12 October, 1992.
11am appointment with Charge Nurse Annie Bruce, Plastic Surgical Ward; and Charge Nurse Shirley Cairns, Plastic Surgical Clinic. (Charge Nurses on Wards Two and Three unable to come) Annie and Shirley are well known to me from my time on the Plastic Surgical Unit. The Charge Nurse on Ward Two, Marlene Stretton, had previously met with Miriam but had sent a message to say she was happy to promote Safe-T-Sleep though was concerned at a comment made “that S.T.S removed the need for cot sides to be up”. I stressed to Annie and Shirley that all safety measures such as cot sides should be maintained and that S.T.S was not an alternative but an added safety measure. Annie and Shirley were very impressed with the product and could see uses for it in many areas such as maintaining positions, eg with hypospadias patients who have to be on a bedrest for a week post surgery, cleft lip and palate babies to stop them from rolling on their tummy post-operatively, for assistance during the removal of sutures in babies and children. I gave 12 Leaflets to each area and a laminated poster for all four wards. I will ring before Christmas to see how they are going. Annie gave me the name of Charge Nurse at Childrens House (Childrens OPD) to talk to. Also mentioned that Karen Olsen is the lady to talk to at the Starship Hospital.
15 October, 1992.
1:30pm appointment at Middlemore Obstetric Unit with Charge Nurse Marlene Scobbie (Bfloor), and Charge Nurse Myra Adison (Cfloor). We met on B floor, we both ladies had heard about S.T.S from Maree Karl who is the Clinical C/N in SCBU and had previously met with Miriam. They were very impressed with the idea behind S.T.S and were happy to have a poster and leaflets for the wards but felt that most of their clientele were not the sort of people who would invest in such aproduct, but felt that they were happy to at least let them know of the availability. I mentioned that they could say that it could replace the need for a port-o-cots and also cots, as the Polynesian community seemed to prefer children to sleep with them this was a way of ensuring safety for the child. Gave me the name of the Head Nurse at Botany Road Maternity Hospital.
18 October, 1992.
Spoke to Vicki Charge Nurse at the Childrens OPD. Thursday was not a good day to call but happy to have poster and pamphlets which I will drop off when I can.
27 October, 1992.
Lou O’Leary, Botany Downs Hospital. Howick. Had heard of S.T.S and has a policy of not allowing people to come and promote products but was happy to have a poster for the lounge and some leaflets so the patients could decide for themselves. Lou felt that the “maternal network” was the best source of fact / information finding and that good news/products travel fast. To drop off information and poster when I can.
ROYAL NEW ZEALAND PLUNKET SOCIETY (INCL.)
Plunket Karitane
Family Centre
10 Ixia Place
MANUKAU CITY
Mr Robert Hansen
Consumer Affairs
CPO 1601
Brisbane
Queensland 4001
AUSTRALIA
Dear Robert
Subsequent to the letter you received from the Plunket Society dated 2nd December 1992 I have been given permission to submit my findings of the Safe T Sleep (NZ) bedwrap trial carried out in the Manurewa Family Centre involving over twenty babies, children and their mothers over a period of six months. In this centre we run a ‘Sleep Programme.’
As I am not a scientist, but a Registered Health Professional, I am unable to give you a scientific report, but rather a concise report on my findings.
I was overwhelmed at the response of the survey. For months it was the solution to their problem. It was safe and secure, children or babies could come to no harm, and mums got that much needed sleep that f or so many had been elusive for many months.
Maybe it is appropriate here to explain what a Sleep Programme is. It is a one and a half hour group session which involves mothers, fathers, babies and children meeting to discuss the problems that they have getting their children to go to sleep and remain asleep. The problems are many and varied. The outcome of babies and children who do not sleep are tired, irritated parents who can become child abusers and in my experience this does often result in marital difficulties.
Some of the main problems that appeared regularly in the group sessions was that babies got stuck in the corner of the cot and toddlers who insisted on climbing out of the bed.
I initially was approached by a mother who was part of the sleep programme and who had recently independently purchased a Safe T Sleep (NZ) bedwrap and had found that her baby responded favourably to the bedwrap. This particular mother asked me to make contact with Miriam Rutherford as she was informed that Miriam Rutherford was looking for people to trial her product. As I had already heard about the Safe T Sleep (NZ) bedwrap from various sources I was more than happy to help.
The results were overwhelming:
1 Babies were relaxed, contented and snuggled down and slept more soundly. All movement was possible depending on the age of the child and the stage of development.
2 Babies and children’s behaviour improved greatly. Children who can sleep through the night and more open to learning during the day.
3 Babies were unable to crawl up and get stuck in the corner of the cot, or fall from the bed.
4 Once toddlers were introduced to the Safe T Sleep (NZ) bedwrap they remained in their beds, snug and settled. Remember that a toddler can pull the velcro undone, but our results showed they did not want to.
5 From the observations made by the staff in our centre and feedback receives from parents throughout the trial of the Safe T Sleep (NZ) bedwrap, it became quite apparent that marital problems decreased due to the entire family receiving more sleep, and marital partners at least receiving predominant use of their double bed.
6 Mothers become less irritated, they felt that they could sleep easier knowing that their babies were snug and safe.
I believe that Safe T Sleep is a product that we can suggest for using in promoting safe sleeping positions. In the past years as a Plunket Nurse I have seen mothers use pushchair harnesses and sleeping bags that they pin or tie to the cot, to try and keep babies in one place. The Safe T Sleep (NZ) bedwrap removes the danger of people using the above and allows them to purchase a very safe, comfortable, unrestrictive bedwrap.
There is no doubt in my mind that there are babies and children who have to be taught to sleep, many of these are children who move around the cot/bed and need something that makes them feel safe and secure. The Safe T Sleep (NZ) bedwrap achieves this and is a very safe, reliable product. I feel confident in saying that this is going to save many sleep problems in the future.
Yours faithfully
Margaret Briggs
RCompN/ Plunket Nurse/ Lactation Consultant.
PLUNKET – CARING FOR YOUNG FAMILIES – WHANAU AWHINA
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