This is the neonatal care unit
at Fort Worth Children's Hospital.
It's always been well equipped, but
earlier this year, some new beds arrived,
miniature water beds
there similar to other ordinary water
beds, just a whole lot smaller
when fitted with a sheet and a sheepskin
comforter. These water beds provide a
more natural support for the infants.
That makes it less likely that they'll
develop bedsores, an important
consideration for these babies that will
generally spend several months here in
the hospital.
Christy Brown wasn't supposed to be born
till later this month, but she arrived
early on May 19.
She only weighed two and a half pounds
then. Now she's up to three
pounds, nine ounces and doing
well.
The water bed may have something to do
with it.
It stimulates them to grow faster.
It's more like the atmosphere
in the womb.
And it's believed that the gentle wave
motion also may deter apnea
and erratic breathing pattern that can
sometimes prove fatal.
The Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Some parents are buying water beds like
these for home use.
It wouldn't be a bad idea.
If they do grow faster, it might help
those that are having difficulty in
gaining weight. Babies that have a
history of not gaining weight well might
do better on a waterbed.
But one local water bed retailer has
a word of caution.
If the waterbeds heater goes out for
there's a power failure during the night,
the water will gradually cool off.
The little baby would be soon
lying there on a bed that was entirely
too cold and it would be
taking the heat from that child's
body.
Of course, it would take quite a while
for the water to cool off enough to be
much of a danger.
With all of its advantages, the infant
waterbed will certainly become more
widely used Kristie.
Shear likes it.
David Finfrock, Channel 5 Action News
at the Fort Worth Children's Hospital.