The main benefit of merino is its incomparable ability to maintain a comfortable micro-climate between body and bedding. Unlike synthetics, Merino breathes and controls moisture meaning that it has the natural ability to respond to changes in temperature. This unique garment property helps keep young ones cool when it is hot and warm when it is cold.
Merino has numerous natural attributes that make it one of the most comfortable of fabrics to wear:
It breathes and controls moisture
A unique feature of merino is that it absorbs perspiration from the skin and releases it into the air. This means your child will never feel clammy since humidity between skin and garment is lowered.
It controls temperature
Babies are not as adaptable as adults to temperature change. A baby's body surface is about three times greater than an adult's, compared to the weight of his/her body. Babies can lose heat rapidly, as much as four times more quickly than adults. Babies under 12 months have difficulty regulating their own temperature, even in a warm environment.
When babies are cold-stressed, they use energy and oxygen to generate warmth. By keeping babies at optimal temperatures, neither too hot nor cold, they can conserve energy and build up reserves. When temperature is regulated and maintained a baby will become more relaxed, gain weight and sleep longer. This is especially important when babies are sick, premature or low birth weight babies.
Merino fibre actively regulates temperature, protecting your baby from extremes because it keeps them warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s hot. Because merino is 100% natural, there is no need for tog rating, unlike products made from synthetic fibres.
It reduces skin allergies
Merino is unlike traditional wool in that each fibre has a silky outer layer, creating an extremely soft, fine texture. Superfine merino fabric is comfortable to wear without itch, and safe to use for babies with eczema, allergies and sensitive skin. It forms a natural micro-climate around your baby’s body, keeping them at an ideal temperature in all climates and conditions and keeping their skin dry and less prone to eczema. It’s also lightweight and odour resistant.
It improves sleep routines
Medical studies have proven that merino improves the sleep patterns of babies and infants. At the Cambridge Maternity Hospital in 1979, Scott and Richards revealed that babies sleeping on merino settled more quickly, cried less, fed better and gained weight faster.
Premature and low weight babies
The same medical studies investigating the effect of merino on premature and low birth weight babies found that they gained an extra 10g a day compared to babies that weren’t sleeping on merino.
Swaddling with merino
A number of studies have shown that swaddling babies tends to reduce the likelihood of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Since overheating has been identified as a key factor in many cases of SIDS there is a strong case for using merino because of its previously noted ability to regulate heat and humidity.
It’s comfortable and easy to care for
Our merino is a fine-spun fabric, making it soft and comfortable to wear. It has a natural elastic property, meaning our garments fit snugly every time.
Fire resistant
All fabrics will burn but some are more combustible than others. Untreated natural fibres such as cotton, linen and silk have a very high burning rate. Synthetics tend to be slow to ignite, but once ignited, severe melting and dripping can occur. Merino wool contains natural fire retardants, further helping safeguard your child’s health. It is comparatively flame-retardant but if ignited, it usually has a low burning rate and may self-extinguish.
100% natural
We use nature's finest materials. They are 100% natural, renewable and biodegradable. Throughout our business we strive to meet the needs of the present, without compromising the needs of the future and we work consciously to minimise the impact that we may have on the environment.
Scientific research proves “Merino sleep bags are best for baby”
Scientific research findings released by AgResearch, New Zealand’s largest national Crown Research Institute, indicate that baby sleep bags made from natural merino wool are better at maintaining a baby’s comfort and wellbeing compared with synthetic polyester-filled sleep bags. Read the full report here.
The Sleeping Comfort Study – conducted by The Woolmark Company and the University of Sydney, funded by Australian Wool Innovation – has shown that through the development of a Thermal Comfort Rating System, wool is the natural choice for bedding products. Combining human and laboratory trials, the study examined more than 30 wool and non-wool ‘over’ and ‘under’ body bedding products by testing them in a range of temperature and relative humidity environments to establish a rating of sleeper comfort. Wool was the undoubted winner with a clear demonstration that wool bedding products:
- Breathe more naturally than synthetic products.
- Increase the duration of the most beneficial phase of sleep known as REM, or Rapid Eye Movement.
- Regulate body temperature by ensuring the body gets to a comfortable sleeping temperature more quickly - and stays there for longer.
Our thanks to MerinoKids for contributing this Article
