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Premature Infants

twins, triplets and little ones
[_private/navigate.htm] Snuglbuds Inc. works with Children's Hospitals to create support systems for infants. On these pages you will find information for the Travelbud Support System and the Butterfly Support.
premature infant in car seat
infant under four pounds
 Car seat positioning is very important for small infants.
Infant carriers are made for
infants 5 pound to 20 pounds. Infants as small as 3 to 4 pounds are now going home from the hospital. Hospitals often do a car seat test before the infant is released. If the infant fails the test it may mean days or weeks of additional hospital time.
Proper positioning can make the difference.

The Travelbud (patented) is an easy, effective
way to ensure proper positioning. Infants who have
failed the car seat test, have passed when the Travelbud has been used.

The Travelbud supports and positions an infant the same way each time it is used. The support harness keeps the infant from sliding down and the side cushions provide lateral support. An additional head support can virtually eliminate head movement.

Access to the inside allows for easy modification. Modifications can be done by the hospital to customize the fit for the infant. By adjusting or cutting the foam inside, the side supports can wrap around the torso and maintain the stretch. Any changes to the Travelbud must be done by a health care professional.

Snuglbuds recommends an infant carrier (5 to 20 pounds) be used for premature and small infants. When this is not possible and a convertible car seat (5 to 40 pounds) is going to be used, we suggest a medium Travelbud be used, customized if required and a head insert be positioned behind the head.

Please see car seats for more car seat safety information.
On flat surfaces the Travelbud can be used as a side sleep support. Whether the infant needs to be on their side, on their back or on an incline the soft positioning Travelbud used as a side sleep support
straps can hold the infant firmly in place.
small infant positioned in a swing using a Travelbud
Travelbud in a swing		 The Travelbud is being used in hospital nurseries and at home to customize the fit for small infants.

Accessories include:
small insert for head
custom length straps
custom size soaker pads

Snuglbuds Inc. works closely with Nurses, Occupational and Physical Therapists in a effort to improve positioning for premature and small infants. Modifications are only to be done  by a health care professional.
The Butterfly support is another product designed for premature infants in Level II and Level III nurseries.
At the request of NICU professionals we developed a small nest.

In the shape of a butterfly the soft wings support the infant from partial side lying to supine positioning. The butterfly head folds under, lifting the back of the infants head, causing the chin to tuck closer to the chest. Works well for assessments.

The nest can be used for positioning for breast feeding and helps reduce fatigue while the infant learns to latch. The support also works well in the bath.

Premature Infants

The Butterfly Support is used in NICU's and Special Care Nurseries for midline head centering and flexion. It supports and positions the infant's head and upper body for partial side lying and supine. The Support has been used with ventilate and non ventilated infants.

Head preference, a common problem with premature infants.  They are often facing to the right. Head preference is reinforced due to prolonged stays in the NICU where the majority of caregivers are right handed and right side lying is often the preferred position in isolettes.

  • The support makes it easy to rotate and position the infant for supine or partial side lying.

Torticollis, positional or congenital muscular torticollis where the infant has a strong lateral pull with rotation towards the affected side.

  • Use the support to promote midline centering.

VP Shunt for hydrocephalus where the infant tends to turn away from the shunt side.

  • Use the support to create a balance for supine positioning.

Plagiocephaly, flattening of one side of the skull due to persistent pressure.

  • The support makes it easy to vary the infants position to help prevent plagiocephaly.

Head and Neck Hyperextension. This hyperextension is often seen in babies with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

  • Use the support to inhibite the hyperextension and promote elongation of neck extension in supine position. The support helps raise the back of the head and create a good chin tuck.

ATNR (Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex) in neurologically impaired babies where the reflex does not disappear.

  • Use of the support will help inhibit the ATNR and promote midline of the head and upper extremities.

Term Reviews, where infants return to the hospital for follow up assesment.

  • Use the support to position the infant for tone and midline assessment. Often recommended to parents as a support for home use.

Premature Infants at Home

The Butterfly Support can be used, by parents, at home to promote midline centering of the head and upper body. It can be used for partial side lying and supine positioning when the infant is awake and under supervision. The support works well in swings and strollers when the infant is reclined.

It is not intended for sleeping. Check with your healthcare provider for the recommended position for sleeping. For infants who must be inclined, check the Travelbud for further information on side lying or supine positioning.
See Travelbud and Butterfly Support for more information.

To Order a Travelbud or Butterfly.

Thank you for your interest.
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