Adhesives that are specifically designed to be ultra-gentle are recommended for devices worn by children and infants, including those in neonatal care.

When designing wearable devices for children and infants, including newborns and those in neonatal care, it is imperative to prioritize their highly sensitive skin. It is also important to consider the wearability and flexibility of the device, ensuring it can accommodate the child’s or infant's rapid growth and movement without constriction or causing harm. These young patients have delicate, underdeveloped skin barriers, making them more susceptible to irritation and injury from adhesives and materials. It is highly recommended, if not required, to choose adhesives that are specifically formulated to be ultra-gentle, minimizing the risk of causing discomfort or skin damage.

Based upon the design inputs, various effective adhesive solutions can be suitable for this specific user group. A low tack adhesive, which refers to the initial stickiness of an adhesive when it first comes into contact with a surface, is a viable option for young patients. Often, low tack acrylic adhesives have a lower adhesive coat weight, resulting in limited adhesion to the skin.

A silicone gel adhesive provides low tack by nature, but, depending on the device’s characteristics and intended wear time, may not have enough adhesive strength to hold the product on the body over time. Hydrocolloid adhesives can also be suitable for infant skin, but it is important to take into account that this material has a low initial tack that can increase over time.