Determining the temperature ratings of infant bedding
International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology
ISSN: 0955-6222
Article publication date: 5 January 2023
Issue publication date: 22 March 2023
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine the temperature ratings of infant bedding.
Design/methodology/approach
Mathematical models were developed for predicting temperature ratings of infant bedding for all age groups based on the thermal balance equation. These models were validated by the published physiological data and the baby manikin tests. The air temperature was compared with the predicted temperature rating, and the skin temperature of infant or baby manikin was used to explain the validation results.
Findings
The models had higher prediction accuracy, especially for the infant bedding with uniformly distributed thermal insulation. The results showed that an increase of 1 clo in thermal insulation caused a decrease of 4.2–6.0 °C in temperature rating. The slope of the model reduced with the increasing month-age, indicating that an older infant had a lower temperature rating than a younger infant.
Practical implications
Suggestions were given for caregivers that younger infants ought to be covered with more bedding than adults; however, older infants were expected to require less bedding.
Originality/value
The outcomes provided scientific guidelines on the selection of bedding for infants at a particular room temperature to ensure the health and safety of infants.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support from the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant NO. 2232023G-08), International Cooperation Fund of Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (Grant NO. 21130750100) and Graduate Student Innovation Fund of Donghua University (Grant NO. CUSF-DH-D-2022048).
Citation
Jiang, S., Xu, X., Wang, Y. and Li, J. (2023), "Determining the temperature ratings of infant bedding", International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, Vol. 35 No. 2, pp. 277-292. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCST-09-2021-0135
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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