BABY SLEEP SACKS RESEARCH REPORT

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1 11 10 US BABY SLEEP SACKS RESEARCH REPORT Scientific Research Proves... Merino Sleep Sacks Best for Baby. New scientific research findings released by AgResearch, New Zealand s largest national Crown Research Institute, indicate that baby sleep sacks made from natural merino wool are better at maintaining a baby s comfort and wellbeing compared with synthetic polar fleece sleep sacks. The scientific study compared the Merino Kids merino wool baby sleep sack with the most widelyused polar fleece baby sleep sack and found that the Merino Kids sleep sack had 80 times higher moisture vapor absorption. The scientists concluded that babies sleeping in the Merino Kids merino sleep sack are less likely to overheat, and less likely to become damp or chilled. Baby sleep sacks are worn over sleepwear and take the place of blankets. They have been tested and used for more than 25 years and today it is estimated that eight out of ten babies in the UK sleep in baby sleep sacks. The popularity of baby sleep sacks is spreading across the United States as more and more health professionals recommend that infants sleep in baby sleep sacks instead of blankets to reduce their risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). SIDS is the leading cause of death for babies one month to one year of age. Every year in the United States, more than 2,300 otherwise healthy babies die suddenly and unexpectedly from SIDS. A recent international study published in the medical journal Pediatrics concluded that 25 percent of SIDS babies were found with their head covered. The American Academy of Pediatrics advocates the use of baby sleep sacks as a safer alternative to loose bedding which can cover a baby s head. Many parents choose sleep sacks made from polar fleece to keep their baby warm in the absence of blankets. Overheating is also a SIDS risk factor according to the American Academy of Pediatrics and some parents report that polar fleece sleep sacks made their babies hot and sweaty. Until now the sleep sack focus of baby safe sleep campaigns has centred largely on encouraging the use of baby sleep sacks over blankets to ensure that bedding stays clear of the baby s face. Many parents have overlooked the type of fabric used in the baby sleep sack itself in relation to baby thermal comfort and reduced risk of overheating. The findings of this research study indicate that a baby sleep sack s fabric should be an important consideration along with the baby sleep sack s design. While baby sleep sacks in general eliminate the need for blankets and reduce the SIDS risk of head covering, only baby sleep sacks made from natural merino fabric will readily absorb and release moisture to reduce the risk of babies overheating. Baby sleep sacks made from synthetic polar fleece or other polyester fabrics might result in a baby becoming too hot. Seal of Outstanding Design Quality

2 by Research Scientists Dr S R Collie, Dr A Tasker and M F Hnat AgResearch Report CLR 10/17 July 2010

3 Test parameter Thickness (mm) Weight / unit area Thermal resistance (m 2 K/W) Tog rating Thermal conductivity (W/m.K) Moisture vapor absorption Moisture vapor transmission Air permeability (ft 3 /min/inch water/ft 2 ) Merino Kids Halo baby s skin polyester baby s skin merino Merino fiber absorbs and releases moisture to reduce the risk of baby overheating or waking up damp Synthetic fiber does not absorb moisture well, and baby can overheat

4 The Royal Fiber The merino sheep was bred secretly in the mountains of medieval Castile and the luxuriously fine soft textiles produced from the merino wool were the private reserve of the aristocracy of Spain. Ownership of merino flocks was restricted to the Castilian nobility, with exporting of merino outlawed and punishable by death to protect the valuable breed. Only in the 18th Century did merino start to reach the rest of the world, when the Kings of Spain gave prized merino sheep as gifts to their royal cousins in other countries. Today the aristocratic merino has found a new home in the spectacular Southern Alps of New Zealand, where mountain flocks produce the world s finest, softest wool.

5 ABOUT MERINO Evolution has endowed the merino sheep with an amazing wool fiber that scientists cannot replicate. No artificial fabric can match the all-round performance of merino. Only merino fabric has the remarkable natural ability to regulate a baby s body temperature to keep them warm and sleeping through the night without overheating. Superior insulation Merino is the world s finest natural fiber, one-tenth the thickness of a human hair. Since merino fiber is much finer than synthetic fibers for a given weight, it contains more air spaces for better insulation. Unlike smooth synthetic fibers, a merino fiber has tiny scales that increase the surface area available to resist the passage of air for even greater insulation. This superior warmth-to-weight ratio explains how merino sleep sacks can be both comfortably lightweight and very warm. Reduced risk of overheating Merino fabric breathes exceptionally well, which means it is able to absorb perspiration from the skin and release it as vapor into the air to help prevent a baby from overheating and waking up damp. For this reason, babies sleeping in merino are much less likely to overheat than babies sleeping in polyester sleep sacks or blankets. First Candle identifies overheating as a leading risk factor for SIDS and risk of overheating is an important consideration when choosing nursery bedding. Body-temperature regulating Babies can take as long as a year to develop the full capability to regulate their own body temperature Babysleepbags Just a few degrees of variation in room temperature can cause them to overheat or wake up cold. Only merino fabric has the remarkable natural ability to regulate a baby s body temperature to create the perfect safe micro-climate around their body. Merino fabric responds to changes in a baby s body temperature to trap air to keep them warm in cool air and releasing heat and moisture when the room temperature rises. Naturally fire resistant Merino is naturally fire resistant. It doesn t readily catch fire and even when it is burned, it selfextinguishes when the source of flame is removed. When merino is exposed to flame it doesn t melt and stick to the skin like synthetic fabrics. That s why fire-fighters uniforms incorporate merino. In contrast, synthetic fabrics present a high fire danger and are often required to be treated with fireretardant chemicals which can irritate sensitive skin. Superfine merino fiber is one-tenth the thickness of a human hair and covered in tiny scales for superior insulation. Allergy-safe Merino is unlike standard wool in that each merino fiber has a silky outer layer, creating an extremely soft, fine texture. Superfine merino fabric is lightweight, comfortable to wear without itch, and safe to use for babies with eczema, allergies and sensitive skin. Highly durable Merino garments are long-lasting, as merino fibers can bend 20,000 times without breaking. The natural elasticity of merino fibers means they stretch with the wearer then return to their natural state so there is less chance of garments sagging or losing their orginal shape. Merino garments can be gently machine-washed with a wool detergent and tumbledried on a low heat setting. They do not require frequent washing if aired regularly because merino fiber has a protective layer which repels stains and odors. Catwalk Fashion The superb natural qualities of merino are inspiring today s fashion designers, and merino garments are frequently seen on the fashion catwalks of New York and Milan.