The Zaky Infant Pillow: Love it or Leave it?

on March 19, 2009 at 12:47 PM

photo from The Zaky

The Zaky is an ergonomic infant pillow that mimics the size, weight, touch, and feel of a parent's hand and forearm. It's supposed to help keep your baby calm and help him sleep through the night.

Here's the story behind the pillow: Yamile Jackson's son Zachary was a preemie(he weighed less than 2 pounds). Soon after he was born, Tropical Storm Allison flooded Houston and shut down the hospital and all the life-support machines that were keeping Zachary alive. For eight hours, Jackson, her husband, and the nurses kept him alive "by hand." After that, Jackson was in the hospital every day for 10 hours and hated when she had to leave her baby. She wished she could cut off her hand to leave her touch, warmth, and scent behind for her son. This inspired her to invent the Zaky.

The Zaky comes in a variety of colors, as well as in a "left" and a "right" hand. This makes no difference to the baby, but if you buy two, the company says "it looks more natural to have a pair." You can warm the pillow in the dryer so it's cozy, and scent it with a drop of your perfume or dad's aftershave so it smells like someone familiar. For babies 0 - 8 months, two Zakys are recommended; for babies over 8 months, one should do the trick. The Zaky is $49.95 at Zakeez.

Would you buy a Zaky to help your baby feel safe and comforted throughout the night? Do you already have one?

About the author Suzanne Murray

is the Parenting & Political editor at The Stir/Moms Matter 2012.

Filed Under: baby gear, sleep

Comments (26)

demsky_04

on Mar 19, 2009 at 1:00 PM

I still think nothing can be better than a mother/fathers touch.

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Case07

on Mar 19, 2009 at 1:04 PM

i think it is a great idea for preemies and babies that might have to have a stay in the nicu but it is really creepy. im not sure i would want to have one.

DianaRo42

on Mar 19, 2009 at 1:31 PM

Hi,

I wish they had this when I had babies, what a great idea, if you have ever had a sick baby and a toddler, to take care of at same time, Wow, this would have been great!

I give a 10 stars for this!! sunglasses mini

mommypip

on Mar 19, 2009 at 1:45 PM

EEK! That thing freaks me out! Just hold your baby already! It reminds me of those sci-fi novels where kids are raised artificially or the fake "mothers" at the zoo! To each their own I guess lol!

jenniamigo

on Mar 19, 2009 at 2:18 PM

i want a set. maybe my lo will take decent naps

RanaAurora

on Mar 19, 2009 at 2:22 PM

That's just freaky.

And don't put PERFUME on it, for god's sake! That's just toxic and gross. Hold it so it actually smells like you.

Or better yet, just hold your baby.

on Mar 19, 2009 at 2:23 PM

Oh, and unless the picture is misleading, this pillow forces the baby on their side instead of sleeping on their back, and therefore goes against safety recommendations. BOO.

Amanda_Jeanne

on Mar 19, 2009 at 2:26 PM

That's really expensive for a hand-shaped pillow... almost $50?! And for just one?? I don't think I'd buy one, plus if I got up in the middle of the night to check on baby and saw some detached hands in the crib it would probably weird me out!

MommaTasha1003

on Mar 19, 2009 at 2:27 PM

nothing can replace a caregivers arms! EVER! also i dont think its just mom & dads perfume that makes kids know when its mom-- its pheremones (sp) so the only way to get YOUR smell on the those hands is to have them on you for a long period of time.

I think this may be good for hospitals & NICU... But for home, I say wear a shirt/bra for a long period of time then sit it (safely) close to your child.. Or sleep with a blanket under you a few days & then put it in your childs crib for the smell effect to comfort your child.

on Mar 19, 2009 at 2:28 PM

oh & i forgot another option-- wearing your child in a sling & co-sleeping does wonders too :)