The Shark Tank episode aired in mid-2020. While this sounds promising, we can’t be certain that it tells the full story.ĭreamland weighted sleep sacks first became available in 2019. The authors could not make any conclusions about associations with SIDS in general.Īs such, researchers proposed further studies to evaluate the safety of weighted blanket use in non-NICU settings where infants aren’t continuously monitored.Īs of Summer 2021, no deaths linked to Dreamland Baby products have been reported to the CPSC. Notably, this study and its conclusions were limited to infants who wore weighted garments for very short periods of time-and while under constant medical supervision. The authors recommended continuing to use weighted blankets to treat NAS in infants monitored in a NICU setting. The study, which had 16 participants, found “no adverse events” during any of the 30-minute sessions during which the infants were covered with weighted blankets. There is one recent study on the safety and effectiveness of weighted blankets for infants being treated for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in the NICU. There is very little research that specifically examines the relationship between weighted garments and SIDS. “That is why parents like swaddling – the baby sleeps longer and doesn’t wake up as easily… But we know that decreased arousal can be a problem and may be one of the main reasons that babies die of SIDS.”Īre there reasons to believe that weighted sleep sacks may be safe for infant sleep?īefore we examine the safety claims made directly by Dreamland Baby, let’s consider whether there is evidence that weighted sleep sacks and swaddles may be safe. Rachel Moon, explains this very important connection: The chairperson of the AAP’s SIDS Task Force, Dr. This sounds like a good thing, but actually, the ability to wake easily is an important protective response to stressors during sleep. Weighted garments simulate being hugged or swaddled, which causes infants to sleep more deeply. These are some of the functions that are theorized to go wrong when a baby dies of SIDS.Ĭompression may make it harder for a baby to wake up. This is the system that controls things like breathing, heart regulation, body temperature, coughing, and swallowing. Wearing a weighted garment stimulates the release of serotonin and dopamine, which causes the autonomic nervous system to relax. Weighted products may relax the autonomic nervous system. “A product that is 18% of an infant’s weight is particularly worrisome for this reason,” Rahal adds. “My main concern with these weighted sleep sacks being recommended in infancy is that a child who manages to roll themselves over in one of these sacks may not be able to unroll themselves because of the additional weight, increasing the risk for suffocation.” Sarah Rahal, a pediatric neurologist, agrees: A weighted blanket that reaches up to the shoulders or back of the head would keep a baby from lifting and turning to get access to fresh air.”ĭr. “In prone babies I am concerned about anything that keeps them from lifting and turning their head. James Kemp calls weighted blankets for infants “a dreadful idea.” There is insufficient evidence to answer this question with a definitive “yes” or “no.”īut, let’s consider 3 potential areas for concern:Īdded weight may make it more difficult for a baby to reposition themselves. Can using a Dreamland weighted sack increase the risk of SIDS?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |