Need

Identification

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User Point of View

Updated user POV video.mp4

Updated user point of view video

Our Mission: Helping Parents Sleep Better

Identifying the Need: A Solution for Sleep-Deprived Parents

One of the most challenging aspects of new parenthood is the significant disruption in sleep. New parents often struggle to get enough sleep, which has profound effects on their overall well-being. That’s why we’ve chosen to focus on developing a product that ensures parents can get more restful, uninterrupted sleep.

Why Sleep Matters ?

Sleep is essential for everyone, but it becomes even more critical during parenthood. Good sleep supports proper brain function, emotional regulation, and overall health. For parents, getting enough sleep means they can be more present, more engaged, and truly enjoy the rewarding journey of parenthood. Our goal is to help parents, especially in those early, more challenging stages, get the sleep they need to thrive.

Our Target User Group

Our product is designed for parents and guardians of babies. However, we also aim to extend our solution to others involved in childcare, including:

Parents
Babysitters
Guardians

Our product aims to support all caregivers in helping babies sleep better so that they too can rest and recharge.

Why Our Focus on Parental Sleep is Crucial?

Sleep deprivation is one of the most universally challenging experiences for new parents. Research consistently shows that a lack of sleep impacts every aspect of life—mental, emotional, and physical health. Parents who are unable to get enough rest often experience mood swings, difficulty concentrating, higher stress levels, and even long-term health issues such as weakened immune function and chronic fatigue. Ensuring parents can get more sleep improves their well-being and strengthens the bond with their child, enhancing the overall parenting experience.

Is There a Demand for Solving This Need?

Yes, absolutely. Nearly every parent faces sleep deprivation during the first year of their child’s life, making this a widespread and critical problem. According to a study published by the National Sleep Foundation, new parents lose around 44 days of sleep in the first year alone. This staggering statistic highlights how common and pressing this issue is, creating a clear demand for products that can help parents and caregivers reclaim valuable sleep time.

The Impact of Our Product

By focusing on helping parents get more uninterrupted sleep, our product has the potential to make a real and lasting impact. Parents who sleep better are happier, healthier, and better equipped to care for their children. With millions of new parents each year, the scope of this problem is vast, and addressing it will improve the quality of life for countless families. Our product aims to ease one of the most difficult transitions into parenthood, providing a much-needed solution to an ever-present problem.

The Effects of Not Satisfying This Need

If parents continue to struggle with lack of sleep, the consequences can be severe. Poor sleep affects brain function, emotional regulation, and general health, leading to irritability, depression, and even a higher risk of accidents. Sleep-deprived parents are less likely to enjoy the early stages of parenthood, which can strain family dynamics and affect their ability to provide optimal care for their child. Addressing this need means not only improving individual health and happiness but also fostering a healthier environment for the child to thrive.

Is There a Market for This Need?

Yes, there is a significant market for products that address parental sleep deprivation. Baby care products have seen continuous growth, with the global baby product market valued at over $12 billion in 2023. Parents are willing to invest in anything that can help make their lives easier and improve their child’s well-being. Sleep-related solutions, in particular, are highly sought after, with products like baby monitors, sleep aids, and sleep-training tools seeing substantial success in the marketplace. A product that effectively addresses sleep challenges for both parents and babies is not only marketable but has the potential to be highly profitable.

Conclusion: A Compelling and Marketable Need

Our focus on helping parents get more sleep addresses a critical, widespread, and often overlooked issue. The demand is real, the impact is profound, and the market is ready. By solving this need, we are not only improving the lives of parents but also creating an opportunity to enter a growing market with high potential for success.

Interview with Zak (Father, Professor)

Zak is a father of a six-month old baby boy and professor here at CU Boulder. He loves being a father but does admit that he doesn't get very much sleep due to his child having sleep issues. While we did discuss some sleep habits, the conversation led a few different ways which provided great insights into the child care needs of parents. When we spoke, his son had also been sick for a couple weeks which had caused additional sleep issues. We discussed a few areas of parenthood he has been having issues with including crib height problems, dealing with a sick child, and swaddles. He and his wife are both below average height at 5'7" and 4'11" respectively. This caused them a lot of issues when their baby was very young as there are not many cribs that have adjustable height options. Additionally, after such a major medical event like giving birth, it was difficult for his wife to bend down to pick up or put down their baby. He wished there was a crib that was more adjustable and possibly could have raised their child up to his wife so she was able to reach him easily and without strain. As their son has been sick, he has had a lot of mucus. Currently there are many products on the market to suck mucus out of baby's nose as they are unable to do this themselves. Unfortunately, Zak felt none of these products were 100% effective and could be improved. They also use a humidifier to help with this cold their son has had but it is very difficult to clean. Zak says he spends around one to two hours every week cleaning the humidifier and wishes he could spend this time with his wife and child instead. Their final issue in the beginning of parenthood was swaddle sizing. Their son was born at approximately 7 pounds which is not premature but on the small size of babies. This meant that the swaddles on the market were either too small or too large. Swaddle sizing is very important because if it is too small it can be too restrictive and uncomfortable or even unsafe for the child. On the other hand, swaddles do need to be somewhat snug otherwise excess fabric can be a suffocation hazard. Zak wished there were more sizing options or a more adjustable swaddle to ensure the perfect fit for all sizes of babies.

For future user insights, Zak will likely be available for quick chats but not for in-depth user testing.

Interview with Seth (Father, Student)

Parents often face numerous difficulties in ensuring the safety, comfort, and well-being of their babies, especially during everyday activities. Through an interview with Seth, a student in the Advanced Product Design (APD) class, several key pain points were highlighted. One of the most common frustrations is the pacifier slipping out of the baby's mouth, which can lead to disrupted sleep or fussiness. However, any solution must be carefully designed to ensure that babies can still remove the pacifier on their own for safety purposes, preventing potential choking hazards. Breastfeeding mothers, especially in public, frequently encounter a lack of privacy, and during hot weather, they experience discomfort from overheating, which makes the process even more challenging. Additionally, a significant safety concern arises when baby bathtubs slip inside full-sized bathtubs, creating instability and risking injury for the baby.

Since Seth, who is part of the APD class, is closely involved, the product development process benefits from his direct input and accessibility for feedback, either through in-person meetings or online video calls, making collaboration seamless and efficient.

Interview with James (Father, Professor, Firefighter)

James Harper, a professor at CU Boulder and a parent, faces difficulty with his child frequently waking up between 1 AM and 2 AM, frightened by the darkness. This disturbs his sleep, leading to a tiring night routine. He has attempted using dim lights and blocking the outside view with window screens, which only provided temporary relief, as his child still wakes up after a few nights. His primary concern is the safety of his child, especially with products that could pose risks like suffocation. He has encountered difficulties with baby products in the past, particularly a light he received as a gift, which was difficult to operate and did not fit well.

James desires a solution that is user-friendly and accessible, with no reliance on apps or complicated technology. He wants a product that is simple to set up, safe for children, and durable enough to withstand wear and tear. In particular, he is looking for something that can replicate his role as a parent when he gets up in the middle of the night to soothe his child. This includes comforting actions like singing or providing physical reassurance to help the child return to sleep. As James is actively involved in the Advanced Product Design (APD) class, he's accessible for further conversations either by booking time online or in person, or casually after class, making it easy to follow up with him regarding his needs and insights for this project.

Interview with Jeena and Dayon (Software Engineer and Nurse)

Jeena and Dayon don’t have any problem particularly with their baby during night . Unless she’s sick. They had trained the baby to have their sleep schedule by 6 months, so the baby is able to sleep through the majority of the night. Out of the 15-16 hours sleep the baby needs, 10-12 hours the baby strictly sleeps with the parents. She also naps after her second meal of the day. Dayon had intentionaly changed into a small clinic which doesn’t need him to be on night duties and Jeena can work remotely also as needed. Their baby has a habit of falling asleep in the night only when both parents are there. So that by default puts the baby into sleep when the parents want her to sleep. They don’t employ any nannies or caretakers since, Dayons’ mom is with them and she helps them when they have to go out for work. The only reason that the baby might wake up in the night would be if they are hungry and she would just start tapping on the mother to wake her up for milk.

There are mainly four things that they wishes there were better solutions for:

Age appropriate contents to be shown to the kids. All the material on YouTube and other streaming services have bright colours and quick moving objects which affects the attention span of the kid as she grows up. Also even if showing cartoons, those might have mild swearing or fighting or sometimes even killing involved, which they don’t want their kid to be exposed when she is 3 years old or so.

Lack of quick medical advice. It's not financially feasible to take the baby to the ER every single time for minor inconveniences. And sometimes it might be minor stuff, which the parents might get anxious about. 8/10 cases even if they reach out to medical care professionals they would be unresponsive and they would have to rely on the advice of their family and friends who have been parents earlier.

Lack of community for the kids to interact with. Their kid particularly is on the extroverted side and she becomes joyful and start offering her toys to peers when in a community…which in turn helps in draining their energy. But often it’s hard to get access to that kind of community on a regular basis.
Jeena had used a crib initially but since she developed back pain after her delivery, she had jolting pain whenever she picked the baby up, so she stopped using the crib all together.

Interview with Eve (Nanny and Babysitter)

Eve is a student here at CU Boulder and has been a nanny for a family for the past year and half. The child she cares for was 6 months old when she began and is now almost 2 years. She baby she watches has no issues with sleep, he is always very easy to put down and, for the most part, sleeps through the night. He has a normal bedtime routine that works very well for him and puts him to bed quickly. She found that the most issues came during feeding time and times when they wanted to leave the house. During feeding time the baby would frequently lock his knees out because he did not want to go in his high chair. This was very difficult because, as a single person, she could not get him into the high chair. Additionally, the baby did not like the clips on the straps that held him in the chair and this would lead to a meltdown. A chair with an option to open from the front would make it easier to get the child in and then a softer and flexible strap system would make it much more comfortable. The other main issue she faced was when walking with the baby in a stroller around the Mapleton Hill area in Boulder. There are very steep hills and she found it was very difficult to push the baby up the hills and over the uneven pavement. Even worse, on the way down the hills it took a lot of effort to prevent the stroller from gaining too much speed. The baby was also so high up that she felt it was prone to tipping due to the high center of gravity. She would like a stroller option that would be easier to use in hilly areas and prevent tipping on uneven ground.

Accessibility: She is Cecelia's sister so she is very accessible for future questions or product testing.

Summary of 5 interviews

The interviews taught us that sleep is not as big of a problem as we first believed. We now know that the majority of problems parents encounter arise from their inability to take their child on regular daily activities. The happiness of the parents and the child depends on assisting them in reintegrating their child into their regular lives. Additionally, they want the products they utilize to be easily accessible, dependable, long-lasting, and safe for infants.

Original Need Statement

"Parents need their baby to sleep through the night so that they can get sufficient rest and wake up refreshed in the morning."

New Need Statement

"Parents need simpler ways to integrate back into society with their babies so they can do normal activities again."

User Need Statements

1) James needs a way to enjoy the outdoors with their baby in a simple and safe way.

2) Seth's wife needs a way to feed their children in public with the same comfort and privacy they have at home.

3) Jeena needs a way to bathe their babies without the baby slipping into the larger bathtub.

4) Zak needs to lift his child from the crib without exerting too much strain on his back.

Our New Mission: Making Parenthood Easier with a Supportive Hydraulic Crib

Identifying the Need: A Solution for Parents & caregivers

Parenthood brings immense joy, but it also comes with physical challenges, especially for mothers recovering from postpartum back pain, grandparents, and shorter parents. Lifting, bending, and reaching into traditional cribs can strain the body, making daily caregiving tasks more difficult. Our solution is a hydraulic crib that adapts to caregivers' needs, ensuring ease and comfort.

Why Comfort and Support Matter

Physical well-being is crucial for caregivers, particularly when dealing with the physical demands of looking after a baby. The hydraulic crib offers adjustable height and effortless access, reducing strain on the back and joints. By alleviating these physical burdens, parents and caregivers can focus more on bonding with their babies and enjoying the moments that matter.

Our Target User Group

Our product is designed for parents and guardians of babies. However, we also aim to extend our solution to others involved in childcare, including:

Parents
Babysitters
Guardians

Our product aims to support all caregivers in helping babies sleep better so that they too can rest and recharge.

Why Our Focus on Physical Comfort for Caregivers is Crucial
Caring for a baby can take a significant physical toll on parents and caregivers, especially when using traditional cribs that require repetitive bending and lifting. This strain is particularly challenging for mothers recovering from postpartum back pain, grandparents with mobility concerns, and shorter parents. Over time, these physical challenges can lead to discomfort, chronic pain, and reduced ability to care for the child. Ensuring caregivers have the physical support they need enhances their well-being, making it easier to bond with their child and experience the joy of parenthood.

Is There a Demand for Solving This Need?
Yes, absolutely. Physical strain is a common issue for many parents and caregivers, especially during the early stages of a child’s life when frequent interaction with a crib is necessary. According to ergonomic studies, improper lifting and bending techniques can lead to back injuries, muscle strain, and long-term health problems. This highlights the demand for products that reduce these risks by providing easier access to cribs and supporting the caregiver’s body, making daily routines less physically taxing.

The Impact of Our Product
By focusing on reducing physical strain through our hydraulic crib, we aim to make a real and lasting impact on caregivers’ health. Our crib provides adjustable height and easy access, minimizing the need for bending and lifting. This benefits not only mothers recovering from childbirth but also older caregivers and shorter parents who may struggle with traditional crib designs. By offering a more ergonomic solution, our product enhances caregivers' comfort and ability to care for their child, improving the overall parenting experience.

The Effects of Not Satisfying This Need
If caregivers continue to use cribs that contribute to physical strain, the consequences can be severe. Prolonged discomfort or injury can affect a parent’s ability to care for their baby and reduce the enjoyment of these early, formative years. Physical pain also increases stress levels, which can negatively impact family dynamics and the caregiver's mental health. By addressing this need, we are improving both physical and emotional well-being, allowing parents and caregivers to focus on nurturing their child without unnecessary physical hardship.

Is There a Market for This Need?
Yes, there is a significant market for ergonomic baby care products. As parents and caregivers increasingly prioritize both their well-being and their child’s, the demand for products that offer comfort and ease of use continues to grow. The global baby product market, which was valued at over $12 billion in 2023, reflects this trend. Items that reduce physical strain, such as adjustable-height cribs and ergonomic baby care tools, are particularly appealing. With more families seeking solutions that support both the parent and the child, our hydraulic crib has strong potential to succeed in this growing market.

User Personas

Sally

Age: 25

Profession: Student and Parent

Values: Ease of use, comfort for mother and baby, safe for baby, portable and intuitive

Needs: Neck and head support for baby, coverage for mother, lightweight for travel

Pain points: Some items are too large or heavy to use outside of the house, fabrics are too thick for summer, not enough coverage for mother

Jane

Age: 20

Profession: Nanny and Babysitter

Values: Comfortable for the child to prevent tantrums, lightweight, does not require a lot of strength to use

Needs: No jostling or tipping of the baby, reliable, simple to use with only one person

Pain points: Difficult to push stroller up hills, clips and straps are difficult to undo (too baby-proof)

Heisenberg

Age: 30

Profession: Professor and Parent

Values: Simple to use, reliable, sturdy components

Needs: Lightweight backpack to prevent back pain, easy to carry, comfortable for long periods of time, portable

Pain points: Current backpacks are too heavy, unreliable parts that break frequently, not multi-use

Johnathan

Age: 35

Profession: Medical Professional and Engineer

Values: Reliability, adaptation as the baby grows

Needs: Sturdy parts, customizability of device

Pain points: Back pain due to crib, lack of quick medical advice, current products are not adaptable with the baby's growth

Changes in Need/User Understanding from Design Iteration 1

Expanded User Focus

Initially, we focused solely on helping parents with back pain, especially mothers in postpartum recovery. As we received feedback, however, we recognized that our product could serve a wider group, including grandparents and shorter caregivers who also benefit from an ergonomic crib. This broadened perspective has led us to design for a wider range of heights and usability needs.

Height Adjustability Emphasis

Early iterations suggested that height adjustability was valuable, but user feedback emphasized the need for quick, smooth adjustments that are easy to operate with minimal effort. This has guided us toward optimizing the mechanism for both ease and efficiency, like exploring options beyond manual controls, potentially including a foot pedal for hands-free operation.

Portability and Multifunctionality Demand

We hadn’t anticipated a strong need for portability or multifunctional features, such as storage or a changing table attachment. These insights have pushed us to consider adding wheels for portability and a more versatile design that includes under-crib storage.

How These Changes Guided Our Design Process

Incorporating Versatility

The feedback on portability and the value of additional features like under-crib storage led us to explore how we could incorporate these without sacrificing stability. It’s guided us toward a design that balances core ergonomic features with added convenience for parents.

Optimizing Control Mechanisms for Safety and Convenience

To accommodate varied users, we started looking into a hands-free control option, like a foot pedal, to prevent accidental adjustments while making the crib easier to use for multitasking caregivers.

Adjusting for Different Heights and Use Cases

With a broader user base in mind, we refined the height range to include adjustments that meet the needs of shorter caregivers, grandparents, and parents with different physical needs.

What Remains Uncertain About the Need/Users?

Frequency of Portable Crib Use

We’re still uncertain about how often parents would actually move the crib between rooms, which impacts the importance of making the crib collapsible or portable.

Demand for Additional Attachments

While we’ve received some positive feedback on features like a changing table attachment, we’re uncertain if the market broadly supports this as an expectation for cribs, or if it’s a more niche request.

Varying Height Preferences and Safety Concerns

We need further clarity on the optimal height range that meets most user needs while ensuring stability and child-proof safety for various caregivers.

Risks These Uncertainties Present

Feature Overload and Cost Impact

Incorporating too many features (e.g., changing table attachments, under-crib storage) could increase costs, making the crib less affordable or too complex. There’s a risk that we might miss our target price point or create a product that’s less accessible.

Stability vs. Portability

If we prioritize portability but find parents rarely move the crib, we risk sacrificing stability and safety without delivering real value to users.

Child Safety Risks with Adjustments

Adding more adjustable features without adequately securing them could introduce safety risks, especially if the child can reach or tamper with controls.

Plan to Gather Required Information

Prototyping and Testing Sessions with Varied Users
Running in-person testing sessions with different caregiver types (parents, grandparents, babysitters) will give us practical insights into height preferences, control ease, and stability requirements across users.

Feedback on Price Sensitivity
Surveying our target market to understand what features are most valued at different price points will help us balance cost with functionality, preventing feature overload while keeping our product accessible.

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