All any mother wants to know is their precious newborn baby is in safe hands. And with the invention of a new 'ergonomically designed fleece pillow' the shape and size of a comforting parental hand, they can be assured their child will sleep more soundly.

The Zaky is the invention of Dr Yamile Jackson and was inspired by the nursing care given to her new-born son Zachary after a traumatic premature birth.

The bean-bag style pillow can be shaped to copy the individual posture used by the parent to give the baby a greater sense of security at bed time. The hand can even be scented with a familiar fragrance to allow the child to feel close to their doting parents.

Now the latest baby comfort toy has become a must-have for new mothers and is taking the US by storm.

Zachary was born after just 28 weeks in 2001 after his mother developed pre-eclamsia. He weighed just 1Ib 15oz and spent the first few weeks of his life surrounded by medical equipment in intensive care.

The difficulties were multiplied when the Texas Medical Centre where he was struggling for his life was flooded during the 2001 tropical storm and he had to be rescued.

But during the hospital stay and dramatic escape Dr Jackson noticed how the tiny Zachary gained comfort from the presence of a nurses hand - and also from the 'beanie baby' left in his incubator.

She said: "I was in the hospital every day, all day, and I started noticing how nurses would improvise items to give protection and comfort to Zachary.

"One day Zachary had a beanie baby on his back so I asked the nurse what was the toy dog doing on his back. She explained that babies get warmth, nutrition, and protection from the womb and the boundaries the dog gave him helped with his protection.

"I did extensive research on products that were in the market for premiture babies, research about the quality of life of preemies, and everything I could find that would help my baby.

"I made the first Zacy from a cotton glove. When Zachary was asleep I would switch my own hand with the Zaky so he could feel me all night and I felt as if I was leaving my hand with him."

Dr Jackson donates Zakys to hospitals across the US and while parents can now buy them on the internet for as little as ¡ê18 each.