Developed from research: the story behind nurtureOne
nurtureOne Nesting Cushion | Excellence Award for Evidence Based Design in Newborn Care 2026 - African Excellence Awards.
The nurtureOne Nesting Cushion was designed by occupational therapists as part of a Master's research project at a South African teaching hospital. Its make-up is based on the sensory and developmental needs of premature and newborn babies.
The cushion was designed for use inside NICU incubators and as part of a wider programme called the Sensory Developmental Care Programme. Alongside the cushion, the programme included kangaroo care, gentle movement, trained handling, and a calmer NICU environment.
More than 20 years later, that research is still the foundation of nurtureOne.
What the research found
Babies who received the Sensory Developmental Care Programme had significantly better sensory function than babies in a comparison (control) group, and the benefit lasted until at least 2 years of age.
The study followed very low birth weight premature babies at a tertiary hospital in the Western Cape, over four years. Their sensory development was measured with a standardised test, the Test of Sensory Functions in Infants, during follow-up visits.
How the nurtureOne nesting cushion benefits your baby at home
At home, the nesting cushion gives your baby the same gentle, supportive positioning used in the research programme, The benefits come from how it is designed:
- A sense of security. The cushion moulds around your baby, giving steady, gentle pressure on their body, much like the walls of the womb. Occupational therapists call this proprioceptive input, and it helps many babies feel calm and settled.
- Freedom to move. The cushion contains your baby without holding them still.
- Easier feeds and transitions. It can support a comfortable position for you and your baby during breastfeeding or bottle feeding, and makes it easier to move your baby gently afterwards without fully unsettling them.
- Positive sleep association. The nesting cushion can be part of a calm pre-sleep routine. Repeating the same steps before sleepy time, in the same order, helps your baby learn that this calm, contained feeling leads to sleep.
Research-backed support, from the NICU to home
Coming home with a premature baby can feel overwhelming. Gentle positioning, lots of skin-to-skin time and a calm environment are simple ways to support your baby's development, and they build your confidence too. The nurtureOne Nesting Cushion grew out of that same research, as one part of a caring, hands-on approach.
Shop the nurtureOne Nesting Cushion · If you are unsure, contact us for guidance on how to use it with your baby.