Material Safety • Risk Assessment • Evidence-Based Rationale
Prepared by:
Yamile C. Jackson, PhD, PE, PMP
Ergonomics & Safety Engineer • Founder of Nurtured by Design®
Engineer behind The Zaky® and Kangaroo Care Day® (May 15)
1. Material & Safety Specifications
The Zaky HUG® is made from hospital-grade, anti-pilling, low-lint polyester fleece, selected using a formal risk-management process for:
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Low linting / minimal fiber shed (unlike consumer fleece)
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Soft, warm, tactile comfort appropriate for all infants, including premature and those with medical conditions.
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Breathability (unlike vinyl/wipeable covers, which trap heat and moisture)
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Durability under hospital-grade laundering, including thermal disinfection
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No foam, no vinyl, no wipeable coatings, and no removable covers required
This material is used safely in NICUs across the U.S. and internationally for over two decades.
2. Clarifying “Fleece” for Infection Prevention
Many NICUs restrict consumer fleece blankets due to:
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inconsistent laundering
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fiber shedding
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variable quality
These concerns do not apply to The Zaky HUG®.
Our fabric is engineered for clinical use and has been validated for low lint and hospital laundering cycles.
There is no AAP, CDC, WHO, or national neonatal guideline prohibiting the use of medical-grade fleece in NICUs.
3. Evidence Supporting Soft, Breathable, Warm Materials
Preterm infants benefit from gentle, soft tactile input and stable thermal environments:
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WHO (2022): Immediate and continuous skin-to-skin care improves survival, temperature stability, cardio-respiratory regulation, and neurodevelopment.
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AAP Developmental Care Guidelines highlight the importance of soft, non-irritating, breathable materials for fragile neonatal skin.
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Research shows that soft, warm, stable boundaries improve sleep, reduce stress, and support autonomic regulation, which plastic/vinyl surfaces do not.
The Zaky HUG® was engineered specifically to align with trauma-informed developmental care and neuroprotective principles.
4. Why No Wipeable Covers
Wipeable/vinyl covers were intentionally avoided because they:
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are not breathable
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remain cold to the touch
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can lead to heat trapping and sweating
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are not trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate for prolonged contact
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increase the risk of skin maceration in micro-preemies
Soft, breathable, warm materials are the developmental-care gold standard.
5. Laundering & Infection Control
The Zaky HUG® withstands:
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Hospital thermal disinfection temperatures
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Includes the wash bag for washing/drying
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Follows the same laundry protocols as the clothing of infants
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Standard NICU detergents and disinfectants
- Repeated wash/dry cycles without fiber release or structural degradation
Validated laundering practices support its safe use in high-acuity units.
6. Global Clinical Use
The Zaky HUG® is used in:
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NICUs, PICUs, CICUs, and Mother–Baby Units
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Virtually replaces all developmental care tools and aids (nesting, side-lying, prone, and supine positioning, transitioning, soothing, attachment, bonding, containment, boundaries), creating a predictable surroundings and promoting self-regulation.
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By using only The Zaky HUGs, the supply chain cost is streamlined: ordering, inventory, storage, training, reducing human error, quality control, etc.
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In over 20 countries, increasing the satisfaction of staff, parents, and infants
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For preterm, full-term, and medically fragile infants
There have been no reported infection-control issues related to the fabric.
Full list of links to independent clinical studies:
https://thezaky.com/pages/useful-links-for-the-zaky-hug
7. Direct Support Available
I am available to speak directly with your Infection Prevention or NICU leadership team to:
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Provide additional technical specifications
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Review material safety and laundering standards
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Support policy alignment and implementation
Contact: yamile@thezaky.com