According to the National Institute of Health, an estimated 4 million infants die each year in the first four weeks of life.
Kanga Kare aims to change this number.
Introducing Kanga Kare
In search of a solution, I found Kangaroo Mother Care. Those who practice have an increased survival rate of 92%.
Kangaroo Mother Care is skin-to-skin contact between baby and caregiver for as long as possible each day.
Kanga Kare is the first of its kind, hands-free, modest, skin-to-skin baby carrier that allows the caregiver to efficiently go about their normal activities while providing skin-to-skin care.
What Makes Kanga Kare Different?
With Kanga Kare, the caregiver is able to be hands-free, comfortable, and modestly covered.
The baby carrier market is highly saturated, but no other product allows the caregiver to truly practice skin-to-skin care without being exposed or practically go about their day. The Kanga Kare carrier is the caregiver’s shirt, allowing the wearer to be covered with or without a baby inside the carrier. It also features a unique design, allowing for enough support for the caregiver to be comfortably hands-free.
Ideation
After interviewing numerous caregivers who had experience with babywearing, it was time to begin flushing out ideas. Looking at the existing carriers, it was important to find a design that would be safe, comfortable, stylish, and would allow for direct skin-to-skin contact.
The Design
The final design direction is a gender-neutral T-shirt with a large opening in the front of the shirt that extends from where the usual neckline would be. To cover the wearer’s chest, a pocket is added over the top of the shirt. This pocket holds the baby and is secured with two buckles on either side.
It’s simple.
Put the carrier on as you would any shirt.
Undo the buckles with one hand to stretch the elastic.
Place baby in the carrier.
Buckle the front pocket and go about your day as normal, while practicing skin-to-skin care.
The Details
The Kanga Kare carrier is made of scuba knit fabric, a stretchy, polyester fabric that is commonly used for sporting gear. The fabric has a “hugging” feel, comfortably fitting the wearer’s body while also keeping baby snug and secure in the pocket.
The band at the top of the pocket has a sturdy foam insert to provide extra support for the baby’s head and neck.
One buckle on either side of the pouch allow the baby to be easily placed in or taken out of the carrier.
Prototyping
Bringing the idea to life was an important step in ensuring the idea was feasible. Using the scuba knit fabric, I was able to sew a Kanga Kare carrier that successfully covered a body and held a baby doll in the intended manner.
Awards
Purdue University Moonshot Finalist
Purdue University Design and Innovation Challenge Finalist
Designed in collaboration with fellow design student, Eileen Martin.
Kanga Kare
Life-saving care for infants, comfort for caregivers.