Study:NUNKI sheet seems to contribute to better sleep routine for babies

PRESS RELEASE

An exploratory study by Master's student Nienke Kanits of Wageningen University shows that families and professionals are satisfied with the way the NUNKI sheet works. It seems to contribute to the sleep routine, which is associated with good sleep in children. The award-winning sheet has a zipper, which allows parents to tuck their baby in the same way every time with one simple action. This makes the bedtime routine predictable and creates calm and regularity, regardless of who puts the baby to bed. The sheet also contributes to the four rules of safe sleeping for babies from SafetyNL. The NUNKI sheet won two Baby Innovation Awards in 2019.

The research shows that parents and carers experience a positive effect from the NUNKI sheet on their baby's sleeping behaviour. The innovative sheet gives babies a sense of security and safety. You can also achieve this feeling by tucking in tightly, but a baby does not yet have control over its movements and quickly kicks off a sheet. The NUNKI sheet is wrapped around the mattress, preventing it from coming loose. Unlike swaddling, you don't have to phase out the use of the sheet, which can save parents a lot of inconvenience.

According to the researcher, the sheet contributes significantly to the four recommendations ofsafe sleeping for babies: in own bed, on the back, in a sleeping bag and without loose material in bed. TheConsumers Association does a lot of research into product safety and was positive about this step, because thorough research into this sheet was lacking.

Creator of the sheet, Frederieke Meihuizen: The sheet is not a miracle pill. Every baby is different. Whether a baby sleeps well depends on many factors. The NUNKI sheet helps to create the ideal conditions for sleep. The research confirms that NUNKI contributes to a well-established sleeping ritual and thus to the quality of sleep..”

Meihuizen came up with the sheet because her fourth child slept poorly and her friend lost a child to cot death around the same time. Fortunately, the number of babies dying from SIDS has decreased in the Netherlands in recent years, says Monique L'Hoir, researcher at Wageningen University. She obtained her PhD on research into risk and preventive factors of cot death. You don't hear much about it, while unfortunately it still occurs in about 20 babies a year. That is why it is important that we research innovative techniques and products. The first results of the NUNKI sheet are interesting and require further research.k. More extensive research is needed to determine whether the improved sleeping behavior experienced by the parents is only due to the NUNKI sheet or whether other factors also play a role.”