Máxima MC (MMC) has become the first hospital to use the innovative Bambi Belt as a standard part of care for premature babies. The wireless sensor belt will now be used for all infants born before 29 weeks of pregnancy. This technology replaces traditional adhesive electrodes, which often cause skin irritation and distress in such vulnerable patients.
The skin of very premature babies is extremely delicate. Adhesive patches can cause damage, and the attached wires can be uncomfortable if a baby lies on them. The Bambi Belt offers a gentler alternative. It is a soft, flexible band that monitors heart activity and breathing entirely wirelessly. This reduces physical stress and creates a calmer environment for the infant.
Because the system eliminates cords and adhesives, skin-to-skin contact between parents and their children is easier and safer. Parents can lift and hold their baby more freely without the fear of disconnecting medical equipment. Neonatologist Ellen de Kort says the hospital aims to avoid any unnecessary stimuli for these children. She notes that the belt promotes rest and brings parents closer to their children without compromising safety or reliability.
The introduction of the Bambi Belt follows seventeen years of research and development. In 2010, Máxima MC and the Eindhoven University of Technology began researching the first version of this technology. This work was led by neonatologist and professor Sidarto Bambang Oetomo, who later founded Bambi Medical to bring the product to market. The technology has now returned to the hospital where it was first conceived to become a permanent part of neonatal care.
Following successful testing in daily practice, the belt is now used for babies born before 29 weeks. These infants require the most intensive, long-term monitoring, so they benefit most from this less invasive form of care. As a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Máxima MC continues to play a central role in medical innovation within the Brainport region.
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