Rugby mum's award-winning design helps babies who won't settle

She came up with the Poddle Pod after her youngest baby Deacon would only fall asleep in her arms due to reflux problems.

Charlotte said: “I thought that if there was something that would trick him into feeling like he was being cradled in my arms, he would maybe stay asleep longer and I could use his longer nap time to spend quality time with my two year old daughter, catch up with housework and cook.

“After speaking with my mum, she managed to design and make with her sewing machine a very simple version of the Poddle Pod and we tried it with Deacon. He loved it and instantly went from having cat naps to one to two hour naps”

The Poddle Pod is recommended for babies under six months of age.

“The pod is weight activated with a clever hammock in the centre, so when a baby is placed in the pod, the sides pull in to give the baby the sensation of being cradled,” added Charlotte.

“We started the business from home and over the last four years we have developed the Poddle Pod into what it is today and also launched a larger version which was nicknamed the Toddle Pod which is designed to be used with children from six months to three years.”

In 2013, Charlotte expanded the business and took on a factory on the Webb Ellis business park in Rugby.

“We have won many awards and our pods continue to help parents with babies that won’t settle,” she said.

“We now supply to many hospitals in the UK and also nurseries. We also recently donated ten Pods to Coventry University hospital for their children’s high dependancy unit. It is lovely to know we can help so many babies.”

The factory shop is open from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday and is open to the public. For more information telephone (01788) 578570, visit www.poddlepod.com