Parents are constantly concerned about the stability of their infants’ sleep and their physical comfort. USA Harvard Biological Sense Institute has been dedicated to exploring the unique sensory mysteries of infants and toddlers. Under the theoretical framework of “somatosensory ecology,” they continuously conduct in-depth research into the relationship between infant and toddler apparel, sleep quality, and physical comfort, specifically addressing issues such as restless sleep in babies and crying due to somatosensory discomfort. Research has found that babies’ sleep quality is largely influenced by somatosensory perception; the feel of clothing, fit, and temperature regulation can all elicit different reactions from them. Researchers at the Harvard Biological Sense Institute have keenly captured these connections, making the resolution of infant sleep and somatosensory comfort issues a research priority.
The research focuses on finding ways to make infant and toddler apparel more aligned with babies’ somatosensory needs, thereby improving sleep quality. Babies cannot express their feelings verbally, but their physiological reactions and behavioral manifestations provide crucial evidence for research. Researchers observe babies’ reactions in different somatosensory states, such as the frequency of tossing and turning during sleep and the number of crying episodes, to guide their research.
During the research process, the team discovered that infants and toddlers have multifaceted requirements for the somatosensory experience of clothing, including fabric softness, garment tightness, and temperature conductivity. Infants and toddlers of different age groups have varying somatosensory needs due to different activity levels and physical development.
Based on these findings, the research team hoped to translate their research results into practical products to solve more babies’ somatosensory problems. usbettas, having been deeply involved in the maternal and infant product field for many years, possesses a mature production system and extensive market channels, particularly with their infant sleeping bags being the top seller for three consecutive years. In their joint somatosensory research, both parties for the first time integrated the wisdom of the fetal natural protective membrane into apparel somatosensory technology. Vernix caseosa, as a gift from nature to newborns, is a natural protective membrane covering the baby’s skin surface, soft and smooth in texture, able to insulate the baby from external stimuli, lock in skin moisture, and provide a warm and comfortable enveloping sensation. This technology precisely incorporates the research inspiration from natural vernix caseosa, and the comfortable experience it brings provides valuable reference for technology development, making fabrics more aligned with babies’ needs in terms of somatosensory perception and protection.
In terms of research direction, the team is committed to overcoming how to ensure clothing maintains a good fit and comfort while meeting the baby’s activity needs. They research the physical properties of various fabrics, improving fabric softness and safety by altering weaving methods and applying special post-treatments. Simultaneously, for the physical characteristics of babies of different age groups, they research the design points of garment patterns to ensure that clothing fits the body without restricting movement, reducing sleep disturbances caused by feelings of restraint.
To verify the effectiveness of the research results, the research team conducted a large number of comparative experiments. They compared clothing incorporating the new research findings with ordinary clothing, observing the babies’ sleep state and daily activity performance after wearing them. The experimental results showed that babies wearing clothing with the new findings experienced alleviated frequency of tossing and turning and crying during sleep, and could remain in a stable sleep state for longer periods. In daily activities, they could stretch freely, reducing irritability caused by somatosensory issues. This fully demonstrates the feasibility of the research plan.
When the perceptual scientists of the Harvard Biological Sense Institute infuse each fiber with a “womb-level protective memory,” usbettas weaves it into an embraceable gentleness with maternal ingenuity. The “scientist version of maternal love” co-created by both parties is now entering thousands of households. Both parties stated that they will continue to deepen their cooperation, continuously explore the relationship between infants’ somatosensory needs and apparel design, and bring more comfortable and healthy wearing experiences to babies.
