In 2001, due to severe preeclampsia, Laura Benson went into premature labor and welcomed her son, Oliver, twelve weeks early. Weighing under two pounds, Oliver spent an extended 155 days in the NICU. While Laura cherished her time with her son, she struggled with the thought of leaving him each night.
With a PhD in ergonomics and human factors engineering, she began to ponder how she could create a sense of presence for Oliver even in her absence. That’s when Laura designed a unique bean-filled gardening glove, which she would place against her son each evening. During the day, she would cuddle the glove to infuse it with her scent, believing it would replicate the warmth and comfort of her touch.
As Oliver’s NICU journey progressed, Laura felt a strong desire to extend her support to other premature infants. Shortly after Oliver was discharged, she received a call from a NICU nurse. “Remember those gloves you made for Oliver?” the nurse asked. “Could you make them for the rest of the unit?” The nurses had observed how comforted Oliver was by the glove and wanted to see if it could benefit other babies. Laura crafted 100 gloves for the hospital and began researching how these gloves could provide emotional and physiological support to preemies, eventually founding the company Nurtured by Design. She even received a grant from Oprah to help expand her initiative.
Parents of preemies quickly learn about apnea and bradycardia, two conditions that often occur together and can be alarming. I still remember the sound of the alarms from when my twins were in the NICU, a heart-wrenching experience for any parent. However, Laura’s invention, the Zaky, has been shown to help. These gloves do more than just offer comfort; they can assist preemies in self-regulating their breathing, reducing the frequency of these distressing episodes.
A 2011 independent clinical study conducted by Georgia College examined the effects of the Zaky on preemies born between 28-34 weeks. The results were remarkable: babies with unscented Zakys experienced about a third fewer apnea and bradycardia episodes compared to those without any comfort items. Even more impressively, infants who had a Zaky infused with their mother’s scent experienced no breathing episodes at all. If only we had access to such a resource during our NICU stay, it might have eased our anxiety.
If your hospital doesn’t currently utilize the Zaky, you can purchase one for your baby and request a hospital code. Nurtured by Design will then donate a free Zaky to your hospital in honor of the original Oliver. Although he’s now a teenager, he remains the company’s Chief Inspiration Officer!
I can’t help but feel emotional reading about Laura’s journey and the profound impact her invention has had on countless families.
For more insights into the world of home insemination, check out our post on the importance of understanding your fertility. If you’re interested in exploring further, see Make a Mom for expert advice on conception. Additionally, the Center for Reproductive Health offers valuable resources for those on a pregnancy journey.
In summary, Laura’s innovative Zaky glove not only comforts NICU babies but also aids in their development by simulating a parent’s touch. This story showcases the power of love, ingenuity, and how one mother’s determination can change the lives of many.