Stack of sleep spaces awaiting distribution to earthquake babies in Christchurch (2011)
Pepi-pod® sleep space programme
The sleep space is central to our programme for promoting safe sleep for babies more vulnerable to sudden infant death. It takes a 'whole of community' approach to protecting vulnerable babies, encouraging broad participation and shared leadership.
Finding flow
An innovation needs to be found by 'flow' in order for an idea to spread. This is not something that can be planned in, rather it is something that happens to it. The Christchurch earthquake was the trigger influence for 'flow' finding the pepi-pod® sleep space.
We distributed 1000 portable sleep spaces to earthquake babies in 2012 as emergency baby beds, and 3000 during 2012 to health services in other regions as a safer sleep intervention for more vulnerable babies in these regions. Babies, parents, professionals and health planners all feel supported by this simple innovation as it solves a different problem for each group.
Registered trademark
We have taken the trouble and expense to register the Pepi-Pod® mark with the Intellectual Properties Office of New Zealand to ensure the public of a standard for the programme. The sleep space is part of a comprehensive education programme and not intended as a stand alone baby bed.