U.S. patent application number 13/010684 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-28 for infant swaddle and method of using thereof.
Invention is credited to Angelique Millette, Michael Millette.
Application Number | 20110179546 13/010684 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44307787 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110179546 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Millette; Angelique ; et
al. |
July 28, 2011 |
INFANT SWADDLE AND METHOD OF USING THEREOF
Abstract
An infant swaddle, and method of using thereof. In accordance
with an embodiment the swaddle comprises a body portion, wing
portions, and either one or more, or a pair of, arm pockets
positioned to the side of the infant's torso so that, when the
infant is placed into the body portion and their arms placed into
the arm pocket or pockets, the infant's arms are gently initially
positioned outwards, with their hands upwards, generally along the
orientation of the wings. The wings can then be folded over and
fastened which gently folds and constrains the infant's arms in the
pockets, so that their hands are positioned at the midline of their
chest.
Inventors: |
Millette; Angelique; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Millette; Michael; (San Francisco,
CA) |
Family ID: |
44307787 |
Appl. No.: |
13/010684 |
Filed: |
January 20, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61298149 |
Jan 25, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/75 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41B 13/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/75 |
International
Class: |
A41D 11/00 20060101
A41D011/00 |
Claims
1. A swaddle for an infant, comprising: a body portion for
accepting and holding an infant; a wing portion formed as part of,
or permanently or removably attachable to the rear of, the body
portion, and having wings capable of extending outwards from both
sides of the body portion, and one or more arm pockets, for
receiving the infant's arms; and wherein the wings can then be
folded over the infant and secured, to fold and constrain the
infant's arms in the arm pockets so that their hands are positioned
generally upwards near the midline of the infant's chest.
2. The swaddle of claim 1, wherein the body portion is a sleep
sack, and the wing portion is permanently or removably attachable
to the sleep sack.
3. The swaddle of claim 1, wherein the body portion is a body
pocket, and the wing portion is generally formed as an extension of
the body pocket.
4. The swaddle of claim 1, wherein the wings are long enough so
that when folded over the infant they can be knotted together to
secure the infant in the swaddle.
5. The swaddle of claim 1, wherein the wing portion includes a
single large arm pocket, with openings generally at the sides of
the body portion, for receiving the infant's arms when the infant
is placed into the body portion.
6. The swaddle of claim 1, wherein the wing portion includes a
plurality of separate or discrete arm pockets generally at the
sides of the body portion, for receiving the infant's arms when the
infant is placed into the body portion.
7. The swaddle of claim 1, wherein each of the body portion and
wing portion are made of a light, stretchable material, such as
elasticized cotton, fleece or muslin.
8. The swaddle of claim 1, wherein the body portion is shaped to be
wider at the hip to allow for some movement of the infant.
9. The swaddle of claim 1, wherein the body portion includes a side
or zip opening along one or more of its sides, which allows the
infant to be easily accessed while swaddled.
10. The swaddle of claim 1, wherein the wings include one or more
fasteners for securing the wings when folded over the infant.
11. The swaddle of claim 10, wherein the one or more fasteners are
hook-and-loop fasteners.
12. The swaddle of claim 1, wherein the wing portion includes one
or more end fasteners and wing fasteners, on front and rear sides
respectively of one of the wings, so that when that wing is folded
the end fastener can be fastened to the wing fastener.
13. The swaddle of claim 12, wherein the wing portion includes a
plurality of wing fasteners, so that when that wing is folded the
end fastener can be fastened to the plurality of wing
fasteners.
14. A swaddle for an infant, comprising: a body portion for
accepting and holding an infant, wherein the body portion is a body
pocket; a wing portion, generally formed as an extension of the
body pocket, and having wings capable of extending outwards from
both sides of the body portion, and one or more arm pockets, for
receiving the infant's arms, and wherein the wings include one or
more fasteners for securing the wings when folded over the infant;
and wherein the wings can then be folded over the infant and
secured, to fold and constrain the infant's arms in the arm pockets
so that their hands are positioned generally upwards near the
midline of the infant's chest.
15. A swaddle for an infant, comprising: a body portion for
accepting and holding an infant, wherein the body portion is a
sleep sack; a wing portion, permanently or removably attachable to
the rear of, the body portion, and having wings capable of
extending outwards from both sides of the body portion, and one or
more arm pockets, for receiving the infant's arms, and wherein the
wings include one or more fasteners for securing the wings when
folded over the infant; and wherein the wings can then be folded
over the infant and secured, to fold and constrain the infant's
arms in the arm pockets so that their hands are positioned
generally upwards near the midline of the infant's chest.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application titled "INFANT SWADDLE AND METHOD OF
USING THEREOF", Application No. 61/298,149, filed Jan. 25, 2010;
which application is herein incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The invention is generally related to childcare products for
use with infants, and is particularly related to an infant swaddle,
and method of using thereof.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Infants up to approximately 4 months old exhibit a physical
reflex action known as a startle reflex. If the infant is startled
by a noise or other disturbance they rapidly extend or abduct their
arms outwards from their torso. This reflex action may also be
accompanied by the infant crying out. Infants can even be startled
while asleep, which generally causes the infant to awaken, and can
cause disturbances in the sleep patterns both of the infant and
their caregiver. Swaddling is a universal and commonly used
practice intended to reduce the effects of the startle reflex, and
in doing so to promote good sleep, and/or soothe an infant's
fussiness or crying. The practice of swaddling varies from wrapping
the infant in bands, to tightly folding blankets or sheets around
them in order to restrict movement. These measures help control the
startle reflex, while at the same time providing a secure and safe
environment for the infant. Modern swaddles are designed to make it
easier to swaddle an infant, for example by being made in more
optimal shapes other than the traditional square sheet or blanket.
However, despite these advances, little has changed in the design
of the swaddles themselves, or the techniques they use to swaddle
infants. This is the general area that embodiments of the invention
are designed to address.
SUMMARY
[0004] Described herein is an infant swaddle, and method of using
thereof. In accordance with an embodiment the swaddle comprises a
body portion, wing portions, and either one or more, or a pair of,
arm pockets positioned to the side of the infant's torso so that,
when the infant is placed into the body portion and their arms
placed into the arm pocket or pockets, the infant's arms are gently
initially positioned outwards, with their hands upwards, generally
along the orientation of the wings. The wings can then be folded
over and fastened which gently folds and constrains the infant's
arms in the pocket(s), so that their hands are positioned at the
midline of their chest.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 shows an infant swaddle which incorporates a sleep
sack design, in accordance with an embodiment.
[0006] FIG. 2 shows an infant swaddle which includes a detachable
sleep sack design, in accordance with an embodiment.
[0007] FIG. 3 shows an infant swaddle as it might be used with an
infant, in accordance with an embodiment.
[0008] FIG. 4 shows an infant swaddle which incorporates a pocket
design, in accordance with an embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 5 shows an infant swaddle, in accordance with another
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] As described above, swaddling is a universal and commonly
used practice to soothe infants. There is no definitive method of
swaddling used by every culture, but instead many variations both
in the duration of swaddling, and the types and procedure of
wrapping used.
[0011] One commonly-followed practice is to swaddle the infant with
their arms placed downward, along the sides of the body. However,
this is a somewhat unnatural position, and in some instances may
even promote dislocation of the hip. During pregnancy, the preterm
infant in the womb is in flexion much of the time, and uses their
hands and arms to, e.g. reach across their midline, bring their
fingers to their mouth or umbilical cord, or grasp their head or
shoulders. This motion sets up the infant's neurosensory feedback
loop, which the immature nervous system relies on in order to
mature the flexor-extensor balance and mutual inhibition and
activation. Based on this, embodiments of the present invention
recognize that, while swaddled, the infant's hands should
preferably still be free to some extent, to allow them to reach
their face and mouth. The infant's hands and mouth are innervated
from closely adjacent regions in the somatosensory cortex, and they
function in complement and concert with one another.
[0012] In accordance with an embodiment, described herein is a
swaddle which includes one or more, or a pair of, arm pockets, into
which the infant's hands and arms are placed, so that when the
swaddle is correctly wrapped the infant's hands are in a position
close to the face. This unpromoted flexion arm position (i.e., the
hands placed at midline) provides a more natural and comfortable
position for the infant, and generally mimics their position in the
womb. By gently constraining the infant's arms, the swaddle reduces
startle reflex from waking the infant. At the same time, while by
placing the hands close to the mouth, the swaddle allows the infant
to self-soothe more readily. In accordance with a particular
embodiment, the swaddle is referred to herein as the "Hands to
Heart Sleep Swaddle", to reflect the manner in which it places the
infant's hand near the midline of their chest, close to their
heart.
[0013] FIG. 1 shows an infant swaddle in accordance with an
embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment
the swaddle 100 comprises a body portion 102, such as a sleep sack,
into which the infant can be placed. A wing portion, including a
left-side wing 104 and right-side wing 105 can be either
permanently or removably attached to the body. In accordance with
an embodiment the wings can, for example, be permanently stitched
to, or form part of, the body. In accordance with other embodiments
the wings can be removably attached using hook-and-loop fasteners
or similar means, which allows them to be removed as necessary, so
that the body portion can be used by itself as a standalone sleep
sack. In accordance with an embodiment one of the wings (such as in
this example the right-side wing 105) can be made longer than its
opposite partner, to better assist in swaddling the infant, as
described in further detail below. In accordance with those
embodiments that use different length wings, the shorter wing is
first wrapped across the infant, and tucked under the infant to
secure the wing; the longer wing is then folded over the shorter
wing. A similar process can be used if both wings are of the same
or similar length.
[0014] Each of the body portion and wing portion can be made from a
light, stretchable material, such as elasticized cotton, muslin,
fleece, or blended materials. Other materials, including the use of
organic and/or unbleached materials which are suitable for infant
care can also be used.
[0015] In accordance with an embodiment, the body portion can be
shaped so that it is slightly wider at the hips, to allow for some
movement and greater comfort. The body portion includes a neck
opening 106 for the infant's head, and one or more arm openings 108
generally positioned to the side of the infant's torso and near
their shoulders. The body portion can optionally include a side
opening 110, such as a zip or a series of button fasteners, which
allows caregiver to easily access a swaddled infant, without
undoing or removing the infant from the swaddle. In accordance with
an embodiment, the body portion can also optionally include one or
more button fasteners 115 at either shoulder, which allows the
sleep sack to be opened into a mirror image of itself.
[0016] In accordance with an embodiment, the wing portion includes
either one or more, or a pair of, arm pocket(s) 114 generally
positioned on either side of the body portion and adjacent to the
arm openings of the body portion. The arm pocket, or pockets, can
similarly be made from a light, stretchable material, such as
elasticized cotton, muslin, or blended materials, and again other
materials, including the use of organic and/or unbleached
materials. In accordance with an embodiment, the arm pockets are
made of a thin, soft, and flexible enough material that the infant
can comfortably move their hands.
[0017] When an infant is placed into the swaddle, with their legs
and torso in the body portion, and their arms placed at
approximately a 90 degree angle through the pocket openings 112 and
into the arm pocket(s) 114, the infant's arms are gently initially
positioned outwards, with their hands upwards, generally along the
orientation of the wings. The wings can then be folded over and
fastened, either by knotting the wings together, or optionally by
means of fasteners, such as hook-and-loop fasteners or similar
means. In accordance with an embodiment an end fastener 115 and
wing fastener 116 are optionally provided on front and rear sides
respectively of the longer wing 105, so that when the wing is
folded the end fastener can be fastened to the wing fastener, again
by using hook-and-loop fasteners or similar means. This process
gently folds and constrains the infant's arms in the pockets, so
that their elbows are positioned downwards and their hands are
positioned upwards at the midline of their chest.
[0018] FIG. 2 shows an infant swaddle which includes a detachable
sleep sack design, in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in
FIG. 2, in accordance with an embodiment the body portion 102 and
the wing portion (with wings 104,105) can be detached or separated
from one another, which allows the body portion to be used by
itself as a standalone sleep sack. Optionally, a wing coupler 120
and body coupler 122 can be used, such as hook-and-loop fasteners
or similar means, to removable attach the wings to the body
portion. In accordance with other embodiments the wings can be
permanently attached, stitched to, or form part of, the body
portion.
[0019] In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the arm
pocket is generally formed as a single large pocket, with an
opening for both the left and right arms. In accordance with an
alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 2B, each of the arm pockets
can be separate or discrete pockets 124. In accordance with other
embodiments other forms of pocket design can be used.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows an infant swaddle as it might be used with an
infant, in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, when
an infant 130 is placed into the swaddle, their arms are placed
through the pocket openings and into the arm pocket(s), which
gently initially positions the infant's arms outwards, with their
hands upwards, generally along the orientation of the wings. When
the wings are folded over and fastened, either by knotting or by
means of fasteners, they gently constrain the infant's arms in the
arm pocket(s) (illustrated in the figure as a series of dotted
lines) so that their elbows are positioned downwards and their
hands are positioned upwards, at the midline of their chest, close
to their heart. This prevents the infant's hands from escaping the
swaddle, while still allowing the infant to bring their body to a
fetal tuck position (hands under chin/mouth), and/or to suck,
soothe, or settle themselves with their hands-to-mouth, all of
which are important regulatory characteristics of newborn infants
in their first 4 months. In accordance with an embodiment, the side
opening remains accessible to allow a caregiver to easily access a
swaddled infant, without undoing or removing the infant from the
swaddle, such as, for example, diaper changing at nighttime.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows an infant swaddle in accordance with an
alternative embodiment. The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 can be
fabricated of similar materials and can include many of the same
features as described previously. As shown in FIG. 4, in accordance
with the embodiment therein the swaddle 140 comprises a body
portion 142 in the form of a pocket, into which the infant's legs
and torso can be placed. Wing portions 144, 145 are attached to or
form part of the pocket. The body portion includes one or more, or
a pair of, arm pockets 146 with arm openings 148 attached to the
wings and generally positioned to the side of the infant's torso
and near their shoulders so that, when the infant is placed into
the pocket and their arms placed at approximately a 90 degree angle
through the pocket openings 148 and into the arm pockets 146, the
infant's arms are gently initially positioned outwards, with their
hands upwards, generally along the orientation of the wings. The
wings can then be folded over and fastened, either by knotting the
wings together, or optionally by means of fasteners 147, 152, such
as hook-and-loop fasteners or similar means. This process gently
folds and constrains the infant's arms in the pockets, so that
their elbows are positioned downwards and their hands are
positioned upwards at the midline of their chest.
[0022] As with the previous embodiments, although in FIG. 4 the arm
pocket is generally formed as a single large pocket with an opening
for both the left and right arms, in accordance with alternative
embodiments, the arm pockets can be separate or discrete
pockets.
[0023] FIG. 5 shows an infant swaddle, in accordance with another
embodiment 160, wherein the wing coupler, body coupler and wing
fastener are provided as a plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners or
similar means. As described above, the end fastener and wing
fastener can be optionally provided on the front and rear sides
respectively, so that when the wing is folded the end fastener can
be fastened to the wing fastener. As with the previous embodiments,
although in FIG. 5 the arm pocket is generally formed as a single
large pocket with an opening for both the left and right arms, in
accordance with alternative embodiments, the arm pockets can be
separate or discrete pockets.
[0024] The foregoing description of the present invention has been
provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is
not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the
precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be
apparent to the practitioner skilled in the art. In particular,
while various embodiments include the use of various fasteners and
pocket designs, in accordance with other embodiments, different
forms of fastening or pocket designs can be used. The embodiments
were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles
of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling
others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various
embodiments and with various modifications that are suited to the
particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the
invention be defined by the following claims and their
equivalence.
* * * * *