It’s Rock On, Baby
Just like the song, they’re rockin’ around the clock.
But it’s not 1950s music these babies are listening to – more like the drones of a dishwasher or a vacuum cleaner.
The babies are taking part in clinical trials to test a new mattress that gently rocks tots to sleep while producing sounds at the same time.
The mattress – called Easidream – has been invented by Waterlooville nursery owner and mum-of-six Lynda Harding, who struggled for years getting her children off to sleep.
Maggie Stewart, 47, the researcher from Brighton University, is not giving anything away yet about whether the mattress works, but said it could even herald a breakthrough in the fight against cot death.
‘I’m looking at a few things,’ she said. ‘First, do the babies go to sleep? And second, do they stay on their backs?
‘The number of cot deaths has reduced enormously, but what we do know is that anything that keeps the babies on their backs is an advantage.’
Photo by Allan Hutchings.













Melanie D. on May 3rd, 2008 9:07 am
I’m sure that she’ll be a good candidate for Britain’s female inventor of the year where hard-working mothers shun geeky gadgets in favour of straightforward innovations that reduce the stress of everyday life.
“Men want something with a huge ‘wow’ factor, but women tend to be more practical,” said Bola Olabisi, founder and chief executive of the Global Women Inventors and Innovators Network.
Lynda H on May 5th, 2008 7:33 am
Thanks Melanie… got a long way to go yet, but you are most certainly correct with your comments concerning women inventors – many are inspired by necessity and from this tend to devise practical products that could go on to have mass market appeal….. just hope that I can take the Easidream forward far enough before my capital runs out!!
Melanie D. on May 5th, 2008 9:32 am
I’m sure you will Lynda. . Many moms will be thrilled to hear about Easidream and how it will make their lives easier.
Goodluck and congratulations to your invention!
danakeith on May 23rd, 2008 12:23 am
Congratulations Lynda..
Nice invention..
Good luck . . . :)
Lynda H on June 13th, 2008 3:13 am
Thanks for your good wishes danakeith
jaeda on September 4th, 2008 4:11 am
smart one.. keep it up, your invention is very useful..
thanks to your nice idea..
more power!
Lynda H on September 30th, 2008 11:00 am
Many thanks Jaeda..it’s great to get positive comments like yours
Leave a Reply