sgcpal@watdcsu.UUCP (Paul Arthur Layman -- EE) (02/15/85)
A while ago (maybe a couple of years) I remember hearing something about parents (and some hospitals if I recall correctly) having infants sleep on unshorn sheep skins, rather than conventional sheets and blankets. The theory was that the long wool on the sheep skin would contact more surface area of the child and provide a cozy enviroment in which to sleep. I think they said that most infants cried less and slept longer when they slept on one. Does anyone know where information on this subject could be found or has tried it? I don't think that there would be a problem with suffocation, should the child role over face down, because the wool isn't very dense. I suppose there could be a problem if the child is allergic to the lanolin in the sheep wool, but I can't see any other reasons not to try it. I would appretiate any comments you have on the subject before I start tracking down such a skin. Thanks Paul A. Layman
essachs@ihuxl.UUCP (Ed Sachs) (02/18/85)
Just a comment on sheep skins: All three of my children had VERY sensitive skins as newborns, they all developed big raw spots on their cheeks and knees just from the friction from rubbing on the (very soft) crib/bassinet sheets. While our youngest was still in the hospital nursery (less than 3 days old), one of the doctors or nurses ordered a sheepskin for her bassinet (I don' think it was an unshorn sheep skin, but rather natural wool on a synthetic backing of some sort). The difference was amazing, it was much less irritating to the sensitive skin. By the way, all three outgrew the sensitive skin within a few months. -- Ed Sachs AT&T Bell Laboratories Naperville, IL ihnp4!ihuxl!essachs