1. I have put my baby on the RES-Q Wedge twice for 45-60 minutes each time but he’s not adjusting. What do I do?

Watching the Teaching Video under the “Instructions” tab (Instructional Video) before you first position your baby on the wedge would be very helpful. When you get your wedge, it is important to place your baby on the wedge multiple times during the day to help with the transition. Make sure you play with your baby while they are awake on the wedge to give them a sense of security. Allowing your baby to sleep on the wedge during the days is also helpful in the adjustment phase. Other comfort measures such as using a pacifier, swaddling your baby to the sling, patting the baby gently when they are drowsy, leaving a safe clothing item such as a handkerchief with mom’s scent, and positioning your baby for safe sleeping are mentioned in the video.

If your baby is still experiencing difficulty adjusting to the RES-Q Wedge, you can send an email to our corporate pediatric occupational therapist at resqwedge@gmail.com for suggestions. It would be extremely helpful if you also send a picture of your baby on the wedge at home so our OT can offer positioning techniques to help make your baby comfortable.

2. Will my insurance cover the cost of the RES-Q Wedge?

The RES-Q Sling is constructed as a 2 point harness. When a baby is not positioned vertically and in the middle of the wedge, the cause is a result of the 4 following issues: 1). Either the sling is coming up too low at your baby’s waist changing the center of gravity and allowing your baby to tilt to one side; 2). your sling has been attached too low on the tummy-lying side of the wedge and your baby is not comfortable and may try to “climb up” the wedge due to instability. It’s important that your baby’s head is 2-3 inches from the top edge of the wedge; 3). You have positioned your baby with the sling inside out. When this happens, the sling fits more loosely and the baby has more wiggle room. Make sure you are able to see the size of your baby’s sling at the waistline (S, M, or L) as well as the “front” label which should also be facing you. You should also see a horizontal band of white Velcro on the left outside panel of your baby’s sling; or 4). Your baby has outgrown the sling and needs the next size up.

Yes, the RES-Q Wedge fits all 3 sling sizes.

Each of our 3 sling sizes are designed to accommodate infants of various heights and weights from birth through 12 months. It is important that you purchase the sling size with the correct weight range. The next sling size up is designed to accommodate a much larger infant. If the sling is too tight or too loose, the baby may not be comfortable. You should be able to fit the width of 2 adult fingers inside the sling. The sling sizes are as follows:

• Small/Preemie: (3-7 lbs)
• Medium: (7-14 lbs)
• Large: (14-25 lbs)

Once a baby reaches approximately 3 months of age, he/she might start practicing to roll over (tummy to back first and then back to tummy). Each baby develops at his/her own pace. However, we want to assure your baby is as safe as possible in the RES-Q Sling. A metal fastener has been added to the large sling as an extra safety precaution due to the extra height and weight of an older infant. Babies in small and medium slings tend to be less active and typically stay stationary when placed on the wedge with the exception of moving their upper and lower extremities.

The RES-Q Wedge is made of flame retardant firm foam (CertiPUR-US certified for safety) covered in a medical grade, phthalate and lead free vinyl. You may wipe down your wedge with an alcohol free disinfectant to clean it when it is soiled or wash with soap and hot water.

7. Can I position my baby in side-lying on the wedge?

The RES-Q Wedge is designed for back (supine) or tummy (prone) sleeping only unless your infant is in the NICU and small enough to be swaddled and placed into a medium or large sling in side-lying with the sling lowered down the slope on the tummy side of the wedge. By lowering the sling below the curve of the slope, the baby’s head should remain in a neutral position.

8. Can I place the RES-Q Wedge in a standard sized crib?

Yes, the RES-Q Wedge fits perfectly into a standard sized crib. Make sure you keep all sides of the crib elevated when your infant is on the wedge and lower or remove the mattress so the infant is not elevated above the crib sides.

The RES-Q Wedge can also be used in place of a crib. It is safe to place on the floor or in a playpen because your baby remains elevated. This is especially useful for families of multiples. Many parents have used the wedge as a portable crib at daycares and while traveling. * Do not ever place your baby on a wedge unattended on a bed, countertop or table.

9. I’m not sure which sling to buy. My baby is 11 ½ pounds and falls into the medium sling weight range. However, I would like to go ahead and get the large sling so my baby can grow into it. Which one should I buy?

In today’s economy, our natural tendency is to try and cut corners where we can to save money. However, when it comes to your baby’s comfort, it is imperative that you choose the correct sling size (weight range) for your baby even if your baby’s weight falls a couple of pounds shy of the next sling size up. If the sling you choose is too small, your baby’s weight may be too much for the sling to provide adequate and safe support. In addition, it may compress your baby’s stomach, making gastro-esophageal reflux worse and causing discomfort. If the sling size is too large, the sling may not allow your baby to stay upright on the wedge safely and may come up too high under your baby’s arms, causing discomfort. In the question above, a baby weighing 11 ½ pounds should be placed in a medium sling (7-14 pounds). It may be several weeks before a baby could fit properly into a large sling (14-25 pounds). A sling that is slightly too big can be modified by following the instructions demonstrated in the 7 min. teaching video. Sewing the sling or fastening the manual folding down of the front flap as in the video with an infant safety pin is also a safe option for modifying the size.

10. How does the RES-Q Wedge nest help head molding?

The Back to Sleep campaign, which suggests positioning infants to sleep on their backs to help decrease the incidence of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), began in April of 1992. Since 1992, we have seen an increase in the number of infants having to wear helmets for the purpose of correcting misshapen heads. These helmets can cost as much as $3,000-$4,000 and they are not always covered by insurance companies.

The “nest” in the RES-Q Wedge was designed to enhance head molding by allowing an infant to sit in the nest, thus taking the pressure off of the occiput or back of the infant’s head. In addition, the shape of the nest is designed to help proper molding of the head, especially for younger infants birth through 2-4 months, depending on their size. Many infants who are older than 2-4 months will also benefit from the design of the nest. However, the infant’s head may lie outside of the nest due to the infant’s age or length. The soft nature of the RES-Q Wedge foam will also help to relieve pressure from the back of the infant’s head.

11. What if my baby’s head comes out of the nest?

When you place your baby in the nest, sometimes the top of his/her head will rest slightly above the nest or even outside of the nest. This is very normal as every baby is a different size. If your baby’s head is coming forward, place a 2-3 inch diameter rolled up washcloth or burp towel behind the base of his/her neck (as demonstrated in the 7 min. instructional video). This will allow your baby’s head to rest in a more neutral position. Additionally, you may need to place a standard pillow or blanket under the base (pointed edge) of the wedge so the top of the wedge will allow the baby’s neck to extend slightly backward in a more neutral position.

12. Is the RES-Q Wedge returnable?

Only if the RES-Q Wedge and Sling have not been used and they are returned within 30 days of purchase at the customer’s shipping expense. CR Enterprises has a “no return” policy. The RES-Q Wedge, just like any other infant positioning product on the market, is NOT returnable for infection control reasons. Our corporate pediatric occupational therapist provides free consultation with each wedge sold at resqwedge@gmail.com. If your baby is having difficulty adjusting to the wedge, it is imperative that you watch our 7min. instructional video and give your baby adequate time (approximately 2 weeks) to adjust to the wedge as per our suggestions. Remember, it may take 7-10 days for your infant’s reflux inflammation to begin healing. Be patient!

13. The only way my baby sleeps well is when she is sleeping upright on my chest. Can my baby sleep on her tummy on the RES-Q Wedge?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recommended that all babies be placed on their backs to go to sleep since the start of the “Back to Sleep” campaign in 1992. However, the AAP also suggests that pediatricians should consider alternative infant positioning when there are other indications such as moderate to severe gastro-esophageal reflux (silent or frequent spit ups) and certain upper airway anomalies that predispose an infant to choking or the inability to breathe comfortably/safely while sleeping.

Complications from gastro-esophageal reflux include recurrent pneumonia from aspiration, choking, interruption of breathing (apnea), or acid damage to the lower esophagus (esophagitis).

Infants with birth defects of the upper airway that interfere with breathing include those with a large tongue (macroglossia), a large and floppy larynx (laryngomalacia), and babies with a very small mouth such as those who have Pierre Robin syndrome.

Research shows that premature babies who are having difficulty breathing or require oxygen breathe better in the prone position. By the time they come home, most premature babies should sleep on their backs unless they suffer from any of the above issues. Gastro- esophageal reflux and certain upper airway anomalies that predispose infants to airway obstruction and perhaps some other illnesses may be indications for a tummy sleeping position. Babies experience less episodes of GER when in prone position. This is because the esophageal inlet into the stomach lies farthest away from the gastric pool of contents. In addition, an infant’s hands and feet are stationary on the wedge surface therefore a baby startles less when in prone position.

Always supervise your baby during several naps in prone position while on the wedge before you let the baby sleep on their tummy on the wedge. You want to know your baby can turn his/her head sideways should they face plant.

14. How do I keep my baby’s g-tube secure if she sleeps on her stomach?

There are several ways to secure the G-tube to the skin while your baby is lying on their stomach. A good way is to place a cotton roll (like the dentist uses in your mouth) on either side of the G-tube and tape the tube to the skin. Placing your baby in a tube top or wrapping an ace wrap around the waist which will secure the tubing underneath are other ways that parents have safely allowed their babies to sleep on their stomachs. Band Net (an elastic, netlike material) can also help to secure the G-tube. A G-tube should not keep your child from lying on their stomach. If they are still experiencing discomfort, you can put a foam doughnut around the G-tube site to keep pressure off the stomach.