CarePlus

Laerdal Global Health

CarePlus is a wrap to help in the care of preterm infants.

Snapshot
Manufacturing & delivery
Performance & use
Research & standards
Feedback

Product description Brand name and product description

The CarePlus is a wrap-style newborn and infant carrier that hopes to promote kangaroo mother care (KMC).

Target region(s) Target region for distribution/implementation (listed by country if specified)

Testing has been done in Malawi, Tanzania, Nepal, and India, but the countries on this list qualify for the Laerdal Global not for profit pricing.

Distributors/implementing organizations Organization(s) distributing/deploying this product directly to communities/individuals?"

Laerdal Global Health

Market suggested retail price Price per unit or service price per usage/terms (USD). Subsidies noted.

7 USD

Competitive landscape Similar products available on the market. May not be a comprehensive listing.

Baby Bjorn, Kanga Carrier, traditional KMC

SDG targeted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeted with this product/application/service

Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Target user(s) Target user/consumer base (country, income segment)

Mothers and fathers of preterm babies

Manufacturing/building method(s) Detail regarding solution production or construction method (instructions, mass production capacity, custom made,etc...)

CarePlus is a textile garment which is mass-produced for Laerdal in China in quantities of 1000 – 5000 units per batch in order to get a low unit price.^{Interview with representative}

Product Intellectual Property Open source/IP protected (note patent)/trade secret/other?

The design is not patented or trademarked.

Open source: As our not-for-profit unit price of USD 7 may still be too much for local adoption in low-resource settings, we encourage local copying of CarePlus with adherence to LGH specifications for quality assurance. This has already happened in Ethiopia and Nepal.

The Laerdal® name and logo are registered trademarks.^{Interview with representative}

User Provision Model Where can the product be purchased/acquired by end users?

The user can procure the CarePlus on the Laerdal Global Health website.

Distribution to date Number of units that have been deployed, downloads or users to date

Approximately 11,000 units ^{Interview with representative}

Fields marked are sourced values that have been evaluated by the manufacturer or a third party, all others are design specifications.

Allows skin to skin contact (Y/N)

Allows breastfeeding (Y/N)

Material of construction

Cotton

Patient population

Infants under 2.5kg

Design specifications Component and Operation overview including power, portability, facility requirements, preventative maintenance and user training requirements

The Careplus is made from high quality cotton. It is designed to be used during breastfeeding. It also has no ties on the back so it can be comfortably worn while lying down.

Product schematics Design and assembly illustrations

Technical support Technical support provided by

Laerdal provides instructions for use and an instructional video. The user can contact Laerdal Global Health via phone or email online for additional assistance.

Replacement components Availability of replacement components (in-country, by order,...)

N/A

Lifecycle Disposal and warranty

As any textile garment, it may last long if cared for and properly washed.

There is no set life limit.^{Interview with representative}

Manufacturer specified performance targets Designer / Manufacturer specified targets

CarePlus is designed with a goal to help mothers in providing continuous and quality KMC to their newborns. The goal is to help save 450,000 lives a year through near-universal coverage of Kangaroo Mother Care. According to Laerdeal Heath, the CarePlus is

– Safer: It feels more secure and keeps babies in correct posture. Mothers seemed to relax and did not feel the need to hold the baby.

– Comfortable: Allows movement, Less fatigue for back and shoulders due to wide straps on the shoulders.

– Easy to Use: Does not need an assistant. Facilitates frequent removal for breastfeeding.

– Gender Neutral: The look is very acceptable for fathers to wear as well

Vetted performance Findings of manufacturer evaluations or independent testing centers

CarePlus (from 2018) is independently tested by INTERTEK for compliance with the newest European safety standard for baby slings: CEN/TR 16512:2015 – Child use and care articles – Guidelines for the safety of children’s slings. ^{Interview with representative}

Studies of the CarePlus show that it has potential to help increase uptake and quality of Kangaroo Mother Care.

Testing organizations Independent lab, academic research centers, etc.

Laerdal Global Health

Safety Potential hazards / risks related to operation of this product

Risks known to exist with baby carriers intended for larger babies (> 3.5 kg) in the US are at extremely low rate of occurrence and after negligent use by the wearer, are;

suffocation
trauma to the baby from the wearer falling onto the baby
baby falling out of the baby carrier

Safety warnings listed in the User Guide (attached, for 2018 version) comply with CEN/TR 16512:2015 – Child use and care articles – Guidelines for the safety of children’s slings. ^{Interview with representative}

Complementary technical systems Performance of this product is improved with another technology (eg. Cookstoves and Wind-blocking skirts)

MamaBreast Breastfeeding Simulator, PreemieNatalie Preterm Simulator

Academic research Academic research related to the product (e.g. published papers in peer-reviewed journals)

Background on Kangaroo Mother Care:

Born too soon: the global action report on preterm birth. Human Rights Documents online. 2012.

Lawn, J.E., Mwansa-Kambafwile, J., Horta, B.L. Barros, F.C., and Cousens, S. (2010). ‘Kangaroo mother care’ to prevent neonatal deaths due to preterm birth complications. International Journal of Epidemiology, 39 (Suppl 1), i144-154.

Specific for Care Plus:

Haver J, Bista S. New Wrap Is the Future of Care for Low-Birthweight Babies in Nepal. JHPiego. 2016 Jul 11.

Compliance with regulations Product certifications and standards referenced by designer/manufacturer

CarePlus (from 2018) is independently tested for compliance with the newest European safety standard for baby slings:

CEN/TR 16512:2015 – Child use and care articles – Guidelines for the safety of children’s slings.

CarePlus is not a medical device, and medical device regulation does not apply.

CarePlus is not intended for use in the US carrying babies, so any US-specific regulations (US CPSC) or standards (ASTM) are not pursued.^{Interview with representative}

Evaluation methods Evaluation methods/protocols/guidelines referenced by designer or manufacturer.

The final iteration has been tested in focused group discussions in India, Nepal, Tanzania and Malawi. Studies show that a wrap has the potential to help increase the uptake and quality of Kangaroo Mother Care.

Other information

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Snapshot

Product description Brand name and product description

The CarePlus is a wrap-style newborn and infant carrier that hopes to promote kangaroo mother care (KMC).

Target region(s) Target region for distribution/implementation (listed by country if specified)

Testing has been done in Malawi, Tanzania, Nepal, and India, but the countries on this list qualify for the Laerdal Global not for profit pricing.

Distributors/implementing organizations Organization(s) distributing/deploying this product directly to communities/individuals?"

Laerdal Global Health

Market suggested retail price Price per unit or service price per usage/terms (USD). Subsidies noted.

7 USD

Competitive landscape Similar products available on the market. May not be a comprehensive listing.

Baby Bjorn, Kanga Carrier, traditional KMC

SDG targeted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeted with this product/application/service

Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Target user(s) Target user/consumer base (country, income segment)

Mothers and fathers of preterm babies

Manufacturing & delivery

Manufacturing/building method(s) Detail regarding solution production or construction method (instructions, mass production capacity, custom made,etc...)

CarePlus is a textile garment which is mass-produced for Laerdal in China in quantities of 1000 – 5000 units per batch in order to get a low unit price.^{Interview with representative}

Product Intellectual Property Open source/IP protected (note patent)/trade secret/other?

The design is not patented or trademarked.

The Laerdal® name and logo are registered trademarks.^{Interview with representative}

User Provision Model Where can the product be purchased/acquired by end users?

The user can procure the CarePlus on the Laerdal Global Health website.

Distribution to date Number of units that have been deployed, downloads or users to date

Approximately 11,000 units ^{Interview with representative}

Performance & use