 You
think it would be common sense; natural products are better for babies.
Not only are synthetic fabrics harsh on your baby’s sensitive skin, not
renewable and not biodegradable, but they also lack many of the
benefits of natural fibres.
This is because unlike synthetics, the natural fibre Merino
breathes and controls moisture. This gives Merino the natural ability
to respond to changes in temperature, keeping young ones cool when it
is hot and warm when it is cold, this is why Amie believes Merino is a
true wonder fibre.
Amie Nilsson was inspired to create Merino Kids when she wanted to
sell baby products with a difference. Amie explains, “ I wanted to make
a change and provide 100% natural sleep solutions that are practical,
durable, and functional, the reward is giving parents the option to
give their children the very best natural start in life.” By doing
this, Amie believes that Merino Kids will not only become the leader of
this field but also help reduce their environmental impact, encouraging
others to do the same. It is this that sets Merino Kids apart from
others, “Merino Kids are doing much more than just making fashionable
baby products; we’re wrapping young children in 100 percent natural
fibres which are as gentle to our planet as they are with our children.”
The work that Merino Kids does to protect the environment is
particularly important to Amie as she is dedicated to creating a
sustainable environment, “We’re not just about helping give the newborn
the best start in life, we’re also about protecting the world that they
will be living in.” In addition to helping the environment,
there are also numerous medical benefits to merino wool, specifically with low birth weight babies and
assisting their sleep routines. This was revealed by research conducted
into the sleep patterns of premature babies at the Cambridge Maternity
Hospital. The research showed babies sleeping in merino settled more
quickly, cried less, fed better and gained weight faster. The benefits
were so great that they gained an extra 10g a day compared to babies
that weren’t sleeping on Merino wool.
Merino can also help babies with skin allergies and in 2003 this was
how Amie initially discovered the benefits of Merino, “My first
daughter Lilybelle developed a terrible heat rash and had problems
sleeping. From research I carried out I found newborn to 12 month old
babies have trouble regulating temperature whilst they sleep. Synthetic
fibres can compound the problem as the fibres do not breath and they
simply trap moisture.”
Amie believes that it is these personal experiences as a mother that
help Merino Kids understand the need for innovative and functional
products.
However, while her experiences as a mother have aided her business, Amie also admits that she relies on her
support system at home to run her successful business and her busy
family, “I have a wonderful husband whom I work with and a truly
fantastic and dedicated team. Together we try to ensure that full time
running of a business does not intrude on important family time.
Without these key people it would be difficult to meet the pressures of
being a mother as well as manage the demands of a business. I also have
amazing support from great friends and family.”
Amie has also been able to use her textile knowledge when developing
Merino Kids, as she explains, “At 19, I left my native New Zealand
having grown up near the Southern Alps to travel the world. I spent
time in London working as a textile designer appreciating, looking and
researching textures and various fabrics. Now living in Hampshire full
time with a young family it has made me appreciate the natural fibres
we have grown up with in New Zealand.”
Amie hopes to continue Merino Kids success in the future by
continually looking for ways to improve their existing products and
developing ranges to complement their existing lines. “The latest
addition to the range is the Cocooi ™ Gown to compliment the Cocooi
Baby Wrap. An innovative newborn wrap and sleep gown, made from the
finest merino with a vent for ease of transferring baby from car seat
to buggy to cot. The Cocooi™ has recently won three International
Design Award to repeat the success of the Go Go Bag.”
For more information about Merino
Kids visit www.merinokids.co.uk
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