When Dr. Yamile Jackson, CEO and president of Nurtured by Design, gave birth to a premature baby, she was thrust into the emotions of what many parents go through when having to leave their baby at hospital.

Not being close by or holding her baby was difficult.

“I had a preemie, and I had to leave the hospital,” Jackson said. “Leaving the hospital without a newborn is very difficult.”

The new mum invented the Zaky which is a glove filled with beads that mimic a hand and forearm. The Zaky provides comfort and support to babies so they feel as if their mother is holding them.

The invention came to life when she created similar glove to help her son while he was in NICU. When at home, Jackson slept with a stuffed garden glove so it would hold her scent. The glove was then placed in NICU with her son Zachary.

After Jackson was able to take Zachary home, she got a call from the NICU ward asking if she could make more gloves for other babies in the unit.

Nurtured by Design was born and the Zaky glove was put into production to help other families with babies in NICU.

The Zaky ‘provides emotional support especially when moms and dads add their scent to the gloves as well as support for musculoskeletal development’ as stated on the Nurtured by Design site.

“The Zakys are your pair of hands that stay with your baby when you are not holding him/her.”

“They help humanize the care of your baby and reduce morbidity as they help him/her sleep, heal, grow, thus, develop the brain.”

Jackson’s son is now 13 and the invention has helped put many NICU babies at ease. Jackson is thankful to have created the concept and offer it to other families. It’s her wish that the Zaky will contribute to a better world for these babies.