Sense of Touch- Cot design for new born babies

Sense of Touch STATIC PRODUCT Anvi Mathur NPD153131 PD-L1

Project Brief To design furniture with respect to work or rest and the sense allotted.

Brainstorming

Opportunity Maps

1. INFANTS According to the analysis, a Mother’s touch is the most important for an infant’s developmental boost. A newborn’s sense of touch is as acute as his ability to smell and taste.

Touch- especially the mother’s builds everything from deeper breathing to immune development to emotional well being.

Hugging or cuddling the infant early and often is one of the best things for development.

Picture credits: Self created

2. TEENAGERS/ADOLESCENTS Teenagers and Adolescents need rest from studies, work, family/peer pressure, etc.

Rest is important for restoration and recovery of the body, fighting infection, energy conservation, memory consolidation, brain development and discharge of emotions.

If teenagers do not rest, it results in lower school grades, smoking and alcohol use, elevated anxiety and depression and inability to solve complex problems.

When teenagers feel low, sensation of touch should be encouraged to boost the morale and uplift their spirits. It could be done by parents, teachers, close friends and relatives.

Picture credits: Self created

3. OLD AGE

Children

5% 20%

15% 10%

15%

10% 15%

10%

Friends/Relati ves Old Age Homes Cultural/Relig ious Activities Doctors

Picture credits: Self created

Old people need peace of mind to rest, whether it is living by themselves, co-living with children or in homes.

The issue which influence their peace of mind are speaking to closed ones, religious activities, visit to parks and historical places, meeting friends for entertainment, etc.

Their loneliness can be dealt with a sense of touch by a near and dear one who empathises and sympathises with them.

CONTENTS • • • o i. ii. iii. iv. v. o i. ii. iii.

• •

CONTENTS

Selection of age group Description of research techniques used Case studies: Mothers of Infants: Rehaan Mathur Tanush Mathur Shanaya Mathur Sulaiman Bilal Aneri Kakrania Crèches: Kidzee Whitefield Day Care Centre Ipsa Day Care Centre Inferences and Research Insights Final project Brief

Selection of age group oAccording to the analysis, a Mother’s touch is the most important for an infant’s developmental boost.

A newborn’s sense of touch is as acute as his ability to smell and taste. oTouch- especially the mother’s builds everything from deeper breathing to immune development to emotional well being. oHugging or cuddling the infant early and often is one of the best things for development.

HOME

Grandparents

20%

50% Care takers

20%

Family

oTouch is the most profound ways to communicate with the baby to indicate safety, love and care. oStudies have shown that an infant who gets more mothers’ touch tends to cry less, sleep better, breathe more easily, breastfeed longer and gain weight faster. Mom’s touch can relieve her infant’s anxiety and rests the baby.

Parents

10%

CRECHE 10%

Teacher

20%

Care Taker 70% Parents

Picture credits: Self created

Research techniques used oQuestionnaires : A questionnaire is a research instrument consisting of a series of questions and other prompts for the purpose of gathering information from respondents.

Questionnaires were designed for mothers and crèches to get information about infants and their resting and sleeping habits. The questionnaires were made in such a way to find out the demographics of the family and psychographics of the infant. oIntercept interview : Quick interviews conducted at the moment of action or engagement by the participant.

Quick interviews were conducted for mothers and caretakers in crèches when first visited to get an overview. oIn-depth interview : Long and structured interviews in which questions are prepared before asking.

Mothers and the caretakers were questioned and all detailed information was taken out. oFly on the wall : The aim of the this technique is to observe the subject as unobtrusively as possible. This was done to see how the mothers and caretakers handle the baby and how they make them rest and sleep. oContextual Inquiry : This method is used for gathering information on user experience in their “natural habitat” when performing a particular activity. This was done by going to homes and seeing how the mother performs activities with the infant.

Questionnaires for Mothers

Case studies of infants with their mothers being interviewed

Case study 1 oName: Rehaan Mathur oAge: 23 months oGender: M

Picture credits: Self clicked

Demographics of family oMother’s name: Neha Mathur

oFather’s name: Ashish Mathur oContact number: 8802236215 oHigher Middle class oNuclear family oHindu Family oLives in Sector 55, Gurgaon oWell educated and working parents oMother works full time at Make my Trip, Gurgaon oBaby goes to Ipsa Crèche, Gurgaon

Picture credits: Self clicked

Observations oSleeps for 10-12 hours

oNeeds milk bottle before sleeping and needs to suck thumb while sleeping oPut to cot once he’s already put to sleep oPrefers to sleep in bed oSleeps in the cot for most of the night. But wakes up in the early in the morning to move to the bed. oThe baby sleeps sideways in the cot, in the top centre. oWooden or a light material cot is preferred oCotton bedding and linen is used

oCot is set at lowest level, so that the baby doesn’t fall off. oDiapers cannot be changed in the cot as it is not easy to bend over the railing oPreferable temperature is around 24-27 degrees for a sound sleep

Picture credits: Self clicked

The cot

DIMENSIONS: Height: 43” Width- 30” Length-52” Mattress- 5” Distance b/w wooden slats- 2.5” Slats width- 1” Adjustments: Half length: 39” Full length: 34”

Picture credits: Self clicked

Picture credits: Self clicked

Case Study 2: o

Name: Tanush Mathur

o

Age: 6 months

o

Gender: M

Picture credits: Self clicked

Demographics of family oMother’s name: Tanu Mathur oFather’s name: Shashank Mathur oContact number: 9717133134 oHigher Middle class oJoint family oHindu Family oLives in sector 29, Noida oWell educated parents oMother is housewife

Picture credits: Self clicked

Observations oSleeps in bed with mother on bed but is kept in the cot when mother is busy. oSleeps on the back with hands

open oSleeps for 12-14 hours oOnly needs mother while sleeping and takes 10-15 min to sleep oNormal mattresses

oSleeps in a rocking lap with music and lullabies oThe baby stays with mother for security and warmth oWill not sleep without mother

Picture credits: Self clicked

The cot

DIMENSIONS: Height: 41” Width- 33” Length-37” Mattress- 3” Distance b/w wooden slats- 2” Slats width- 1”

Picture credits: Self clicked

Picture credits: Self clicked

Case Study 3: o

Name: Shanaya Mathur

o

Age: 19 months

o

Gender: F

Picture credits: Sent by mother

Demographics

of family

o

Mother’s name: Shivani Mathur

o

Father’s name: Shobhit Mathur

o

Higher Middle class

o

Nuclear family

o

Hindu Family

o

Lives in New York, US

o

Well educated and working parents.

o

Mother is working full time as a Business Analyst at Societe Generale, US

o

Baby goes to River School Day Care, New York

Picture credits: Sent by mother

Observations oSleeps for 9-10 hours on the back

oSleeps in bed first with parents and then is transferred to the crib oAllergic to peanuts and tree nuts oMemory foam mattress is preferred oWhen cries, she is held upright and close to the mother, facing her. oWhile being fed, she is held in the cradle hold, sleeping position while breastfeeding oSleeps in the crib for 4-5 hours until she needs a feed or gets up to be comforted oSoft cotton sheets and warm blankets oDiapers are changed on a separate diaper station

oIs placed on the centre of the crib side facing oSleeps on mattresses in the crèche Picture credits: Sent by mother

Case Study 4: o

Name: Sulaiman Bilal

o

Age: 1 year

o

Gender: M

Demographics of family o

Mother’s name: Dania Bilal

o

Father’s name: Bilal Jamal Iftakhar

o

Higher Class

o

Contact number: +92 3028432642

o

Joint family

o

Muslim Family

o

Lives in Lahore, Pakistan

o

Well educated parents.

o

Mother is housewife

Picture credits: Sent by mother

Observations oSleeps for 10 hours at night and 2 hours nap oSleeps in bed first and then is transferred to cot oNeeds the mother, blanket for sleeping, sometimes has milk before he sleeps and reads a book. oTakes 30-45 min to sleep oHas a thick mattress in cot oWhen mother is busy, he goes to play with grandma or other family members but does want mother’s attention after a while oWhen he cries, mother picks him and hugs him oMother holds him facing towards her while feeding oHe is put into the cot only while sleeping

o Had a rocking cot till the age of 6 months

oCotton bed sheets are preferred

o 25-27 degrees temperature is preferred

oDiapers are changed on the changing table

o Placed on the middle of the cot on his side

oDrawers are preferred in the cot for extra storage space

Case Study 5: o

Name: Aneri Kakrania

o

Age: 18 months

o

Gender: F

Picture credits: Sent by mother

Demographics of family oMother’s name: Khushi Mathur oFather’s name: Shivendra Kakrania oUpper Middle Class oNuclear family oContact number: +1(619) 994627 oHindu Family oLives in San Diego, US oWell educated parents oMother is housewife

Picture credits: Sent by mother

Observations oSleeps with mother and then is put into the crib oSleeps lying on her back oSleeps for 10-11 hrs at night and 1 hour during daytime oNeeds blanket while sleeping othere should be no pillows, comforters, quilts, stuffed toys, sheepskins and other soft objects in the crib oTakes half an hour to sleep oWhen mother is busy, plays with toys oSoft cotton bedding is preferred oMother sings lullabies for making her sleep oChanges diaper on the bed on a sheet

Picture credits: Sent by mother

DIMENSIONS: Height:40” Width- 27 ” Length-52” Thickness: 5” Mattress- 3”

Picture credits: Sent by mother

Questionnaires For Creches

Case studies Of Creches

Case Study 1: KIDZEE Demographics of Day Care o

Address: C block, Phase 2, Sector 62

o

Timings: 9:30 am- 6:30 pm

o

Take babies from 9 months to 13 years

o

Charges:

o

9 months- 4 years: Rs.6000/month without meals

o

4-8 years: Rs.5000/month without meals

o

10 caretakers trained by Mrs. Gandhi(the head).

o

Staff ratio:

o

3:1 for children under two years of age.

Picture credits: Self clicked

Observations oParents send all necessary items for the child like diapers, milk bottles, food, clothes, napkins, towels, blankets and pillows. oParents come with the babies and stay in the crèche for 1-2 weeks until the baby gets comfortable. oNo cots and cribs yet for infants. They sleep on mattresses. oThe babies get attached to the caretakers within a week-10 days.

oBabies don’t want to go back home in the evening. oCaretakers usually make the baby sleep in their laps while singing songs and rocking. oWhen the baby cries, the caretaker picks up the baby and either holds it horizontally in the arms or picks on the shoulder and rocks and caresses the baby on the back. oCrèche follows the Sleeping patterns of the baby set by the parents and then slowly adapt them accordingly to normal sleeping patterns. oBabies are taken outside or in the play area in the evenings. oDiapers are changed on fresh sheets or towels given by parents.

Picture credits: Self clicked

Case Study 2: WHITEFIELD DAY CARE CENTRE Demographics of Day Care oAddress: A 56/2 Sector 50 Noida oTimings: 8:30 am- 7:30 pm oTake babies from 9 months to 12 years oCharges: oRs.7000 half day/ month oRs.9000 full day/ month oTrained caretakers and ayahs

oStaff ratio: 3:1 for children under two years of age. o6 cots for infants

Picture credits: Self clicked

Observations oLinen in cots are changed everyday oBlankets, milk, milk powder is given by parents. oIf the baby has any infection or allergy , the caretakers are informed while admitting the baby. oThe cots are set on the lowest level so that the babies cannot come out of the cot. oIf the baby cries while sleeping in the cot, either the caretaker pats the baby or sings to them. If the baby continues to cry, then the caretaker picks up the baby and roams around with the baby either horizontally or vertically to make them sleep.

Picture credits: Self clicked

oSometimes they also set on a chair or on the mattress and hold the child in the lap facing towards them in a secure and motherly manner to make the baby sleep. This position is also used to give milk to the baby by the bottle.

Case Study 3: IPSA DAY CARE CENTRE Demographics of Day Care oAddress: Make my trip Office, Gurgaon oTimings: 8:30 am- 7:30 pm oTake babies from 3 months to 12 years o5 boys and 6 girls oNumber of babies of different age groups: o3-6 months: 2 o6-9 months: 3 o9-12 months: 2 o12-15 months: 4 o18-21 months: 2 oCharges: Rs.11000/ month o4 cots for infants o2 trained mentors and 3 trained helpers

Observations oBlankets, milk, milk powder is given by parents. oCotton, thick mattresses in the cots oBabies sleep on the shoulder or laps of the caretakers while they sing songs and rock slowly oBabies sleep for 5-6 hours everyday oWhen parents leave the baby in the crèche, they initially cry but then they settle down. oThe babies are very happy to see their parents in the evening and run back to them. oMother comes to meet the baby twice. oWhen the baby cries, it takes around 10 min to calm them. oThe cot is usually set at the mid level, depending on the baby.

oThe baby is placed in the centre of the cot on their backs oMosquito repellents plugged in the crèche.

Picture credits: Self clicked

ANALYSIS What do infants need for sleeping?

Lap/Shoulder

Lullabies

Rocking

Pat on back

Warmth & Cosy

Cuddle

Why is Mother’s Touch important?

Comfort

Soothing

Safety

Security

Makes the baby sleep faster

Love

Relaxation

Progressing

Growth & Development

Bonding

Fulfil emotional needs

Where does the baby sleep?

40%

60%

Bed Cot/Crib

Bedding preferences Soft

Foam

Cushioned

Thick

Sheepskin

Ways to hold a baby

1.Be calm and confident before picking up the baby.

4. Enjoy bonding with the baby.

2. Support to the baby's head with one arm and support its bottom with the other.

5. Do the cradle hold.

3. Make chest-to-chest contact

6. Do the face-to-face hold. Picture credits: Wikihow, 2012

7. Do the belly hold.

8. Do the football hold.

9. Do the "hello world" hold.

10. Hold your baby on your hip/side when it can support its own head.

Picture credits: Wikihow, 2012

Co-sleeper cum crib

I N S I G H T S

Height adjustable Mobile Rocking Warm/Cosy Gives the feel of a cuddle of mother Can have a shade

Not very loud lullabies Shape of mother’s arms Replicate mother’s touch Thick and soft mattress Easy to carry and shift Soft and durable material Baby should not get hurt be sides

REDEFINED BRIEF To design an object for infants on the basis of touch and rest in urban and contemporary homes and crèches with working or busy parents.

Concepts

FINAL CONCEPT

Final Concepts o

Dimensions:

L: 31” B: 21” H: 30-35” (Height Adjustable) o

Material used:

Moulded Plastic for stands Moulded plastic/ Timber Wood/Cloth for the Cradle Plastic Wheels with locks (Casters) o

Graphic of seashore on the stands

Picture credits: Naggashicom, 2017

3D Views

TOP VIEW

FRONT VIEW

SIDE VIEW

PERSPECTIVE VIEW

Features of the Cot oThere are two parts of the cot: i.

The Baby Bag

ii.

The Bassinet

o

The mother/caretaker can first make the baby sleep in the baby bag close to themselves.

o

The baby bag is in the shape of the mother’s arms which gives the baby cosiness and the feel of the mother’s touch and cuddle.

o

After the baby sleeps, the mother/caretaker can take off the baby bag and place the bag in the Bassinet.

o

Characteristics:

▪

Co-sleeper cum crib (The stands are designed in such a way that they can go under the bed, and be next to the bed) Height Adjustable Rocking

▪ ▪

▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

Cosy Replicate mother’s touch Thick and soft mattress Easy to carry and shift Soft and durable material