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Safe T Sleep - Miriam Rutherford-van Gisbergen

So babies sleep safely

Most New Zealand parents have heard of the Safe T Sleep Sleepwrap, or used one with their own baby. Miriam Rutherford-van Gisbergen invented the Safe T Sleep over 17 years ago, to help keep her own child in a safe sleeping position. A mum of three children, all of whom help out with the business, Miriam credits her strong faith and even stronger desire to make a difference in children's lives as what keeps her going.

OHbaby!: What makes your business unique?
Miriam: I have a real passion for positive parenting. My whole business journey has given me the opportunity to talk about positive parenting while talking about my product. But it's not just about the product - the Safe T Sleep (www.safetsleep.com) is designed to be used correctly, in conjunction with nurturing, loving parenting. That underpins my entire business. Without that passion, I wouldn't have kept going.

OHbaby!: How did you come up with the idea for the Safe T Sleep Sleepwrap?
Miriam: One in five 0-2 year-olds who are hospitalised in New Zealand are there due to falls. My son Cameron was a climber. One time I made it to his room just in time to stop him from climbing over the bars and falling out. If I'd been two minutes later… Anyway, if you have a climber like I did, the Safe T Sleep Sleepwrap will give you as a parent that extra few minutes to get there when your child wakes up. It's a wrap, not a restraint - it's meant to be used to keep your baby safe while sleeping, and for the few minutes before and after they fall asleep.

OHbaby!: What are some of the things people need to know about the Safe T Sleep?
Miriam: There's a misconception that the Safe T Sleep is a restraint; that it's supposed to "straightjacket" your baby by strapping them to the mattress. That's not what I designed it for at all. It's meant to give you peace of mind, that your baby is in the optimum position for safe sleeping. You use it in the first few moments before sleeping, the same way you'd use a cuddly toy, a special blanket or a certain lullaby as a positive sleep association. You can use it on a boat - during the last two America's Cup campaigns families have used them with babies on boats - in a motor home, and in conjunction with a well-designed, tog-rated sleeping bag, they're great for "Houdini babies" who want to wriggle out of their swaddling and creep around the cot. In my experience, the younger you start, the easier it is to introduce - and even with older children, we've found that it takes them six sleeps at the very most to get used to the Safe T Sleep. The proof is in the pudding - I used the Safe T Sleep on my own three children. My daughter Mieke (our office manager, pictured here) used to do hers up by herself! She loved it so much, she wanted to drag it along to school with her. To wean her off of it, I had to pretend it was in the wash for about three weeks. Finally she said to me, "Put it in the sun, Mummy!"

OHbaby!: How does motherhood fit in with being a business owner, and vice-versa?
Miriam: It's all one and the same, really, as the values of each are similar, with positive parenting, and people being the top priority. I am a single parent, and over the years it's been a balancing act, between household maintenance, gardening, parenting, business tasks, etc. I needed to work out my priorities. I made God and myself the first priority, so I'd always feel loved and nurtured and "on a mission". Then I'd have that love and nurturing to give to my children. My household came next, and then my business. I didn't want to order it the other way around - letting work come first - because I realised that it would have been pointless to be successful in business but have unhappy, unfulflled children at home. If it wasn't for my incredible, supportive friends, my faith, and a few key people, I would never have been able to carry on.

OHbaby!: What is the best advice you were ever given as a mother, and as a businesswoman?
Miriam: Trust yourself! Business is about relationships. People are the most important element, so you need to be flexible and negotiate well. I am also a fan of Stephen Covey's book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.

OHbaby!: What advice would you give to other mums?
Miriam: Empower yourself to stay open to all new knowledge while also listening to and evaluating old and inherited wisdom, and leave room for plain, ordinary, practical common sense. I'd advise mums to observe their own unique, individual baby, then put all of the stuff you've learned together with your own initiative and common sense.

OHbaby!: Do you have a favourite quote or mantra that you repeat to keep yourself inspired when the going gets tough?
Miriam: When the going gets tough, the tough get going! I also like to remember Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."