Dream Warmer™

Global Newborn Solutions

Dream Warmer™

Dream Warmer™, a non-electric infant warmer, that supports skin-to-skin care, ensuring constant heat for small, sick newborns in developing settings.

Belmont, MA, USA

USA

Nonprofit

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), newborn hypothermia is a widespread issue, even in warm climates, contributing to 40% of neonatal mortality in low- and middle-income countries. When newborns are cold, their body systems—including metabolic, respiratory, circulatory, immunological, and hematological functions—are impaired, leading to multiple morbidities. Slowed brain development during this critical window can cause stunted growth, or lifelong physical and neurocognitive disabilities. Despite WHO guidelines emphasizing thermoregulation, low-resource settings with unstable or nonexistent electricity face significant barriers. An estimated 1.18 billion people lack reliable electricity. In these environments, incubators are often unavailable or inadequate due to resource and infrastructure limitations. The global standard of 24/7 kangaroo mother care (KMC) can also be unattainable due to cultural practices, multiple births, maternal or neonatal health conditions, family obligations, or facility shortcomings like insufficient space, showers, or access to food and water. Moreover, prolonged KMC poses economic challenges, as many mothers earn income and manage critical household responsibilities. This exacerbates financial hardship, straining the world’s most vulnerable families and communities. The Dream Warmer™ offers a context-appropriate solution aligned with WHO’s Essential Newborn Care 2 guidelines. As a transformative innovation, it addresses maternal and newborn health challenges in underserved communities.

GNS’s initial solution, the Dream Warmer™ is an Infant Warmer that can be used by anyone, anywhere. It is non-electric, requiring only boiling water to heat. It is affordable, reusable, washable, and sanitary. It is intuitive to use and comes with low literacy instructions. Unlike other warming devices, the Dream Warmer™ is more cost-effective (at least $50 less depending on location), longer lasting (200+ compared to 100 uses), and is better suited to low-resource environments because of its sanitary, fabric-free design. The mattress is made of plastic wrapped Phase Change Material (PCM) “candles” that become liquid at skin temperature, maintaining 37°C for approximately 6 hours. It is heated by submerging it in boiled water using an accompanying thermos. Once it has cooled enough for safe use as evidenced by a thermal indicator, it is inserted into a durable, washable neoprene sleeve for comfort and insulation. Designed in collaboration with Rwandan mothers, healthcare providers, and Ministry of Health staff, the Dream Warmer™ reflects user-driven input, including its size, feel, color, shape and low-literacy instructions. Scaling its deployment in low-resource, conflict-affected, and non-electrified settings can significantly improve maternal and newborn health outcomes, making thermoregulation as accessible as vaccines. https://youtu.be/aikymSPYRjY

GNS addresses three critical challenges within the maternal and newborn care ecosystem in low-resource settings: the absence of a context-appropriate infant warming device, lack of knowledge about the importance of thermoregulation, and insufficient data regarding the impact of thermoregulation options on maternal, newborn, and community health. GNS’s model focuses on integrating into existing health systems in low-resource communities. We provide education and training on newborn care and thermoregulation, and equip community health workers and local practitioners with the Dream Warmer™. These efforts not only improve newborn survival rates but empower communities through education and equitable access to life-saving solutions. We then measure the results and impact with a goal to foster empowerment and equity in the communities where it is needed most. Combining the results of two pilot studies and a large stepped wedge clinical trial totalling over 1000 uses in Rwanda, 92% of babies had a normal temperature while on the warmer, with no safety concerns or incorrect uses, and there was positive reception from healthcare providers. In addition, three implementation science studies conducted in Rwanda, Malawi and Chiapas Mexico have shown very similar findings outside of the strict research setting.