System and method to detect and prevent neonate fall from an infant care device

An infant care device for use with a baby, comprising:

• a mattress tray;
• a mattress positioned on the mattress tray and configured to support the baby;
• a plurality of sensors located beneath the mattress or mattress tray;
• a control unit that receives information from the plurality of sensors;
• and
• a resistance mechanism operable to create resistance to baby movement on the mattress,
• wherein the control unit is operable to determine the location of the baby on the mattress based on the information from the plurality of sensors and to operate the resistance mechanism to create resistance to baby movement on the mattress.

A method of preventing a baby from falling from an infant care device including a mattress supported on a mattress tray, comprising:

• positioning a plurality of sensors beneath the mattress or the mattress tray;
• determining a location of the baby on the mattress based on information received from the plurality of sensors;
• and
• activating a resistance mechanism to restrict movement of the baby based on the determined position of the baby on the mattress.