When Carlene’s first baby arrived in September 2017, it wasn’t long before she felt like she was trapped in a cycle of naps, worries, and constant anxiety.
“Every day was all about whether my baby was sleeping or not,” Carlene explained.
“I was so scared of messing up nap time, I barely left the house in the first few months. It felt like I was stuck in a prison of my own making!”
Carlene wasn’t alone in feeling this way—lots of new parents face the same struggles. She decided to get help and hired a baby sleep consultant, but things didn’t get any better. In fact, the methods used by the consultant only made Carlene’s anxiety worse.
After becoming a certified baby sleep consultant, Carlene discovered that babies need a dark and quiet space to sleep well. She also realised that lots of parents were looking for a way to let their babies nap on the go, in the pram or car. But using a blanket to cover a pram is dangerous and doesn’t solve the problem of needing darkness for sleep.
So, Carlene put on her inventor hat and came up with a brilliant solution: Baby Sleep Pods! Launched in October 2023, it’s the first safety-tested blackout pram cover in Australia. The cover blocks out 97% of light and allows fresh air to flow through, making it perfect for naps while out and about.
Unlike regular blankets or muslins, which can overheat a pram by up to 4°C, Carlene’s clever design keeps things cool—raising the temperature by just 0.4°C! The Baby Sleep Pod also provides 97.5% UV protection, keeping babies safe from the sun.
What’s more, the Baby Sleep Pod fits all prams, including double prams, capsules, and bassinets, and it’s super easy to attach. It’s not just great for naps—it’s also perfect for travel, keeping bugs away, and protecting from the sun.
Baby Sleep Pods has become a game-changer for parents, and in 2024, Carlene’s product was nominated for several awards, including the AusMumpreneur Awards and Mum Central’s Best Sleep Aid Award.
Carlene’s mission is simple: to make life easier for parents and give them the freedom to leave the house without stressing about their little ones’ naps.
For more info on the Baby Sleep Pod, head to Baby Sleep Pods.
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