U.S. patent application number 17/644531 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-23 for infant apparel.
This patent application is currently assigned to Big Beings USA Pty Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Big Beings USA Pty Ltd.. Invention is credited to Hana-Lia Krawchuk.
Application Number | 20220192279 17/644531 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006092740 |
Filed Date | 2022-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220192279 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Krawchuk; Hana-Lia |
June 23, 2022 |
INFANT APPAREL
Abstract
An infant apparel may include a portion for at least partially
enclosing an upper body of an infant and two wings, each of the two
wings extending laterally away from a side of the portion for at
least partially enclosing an upper body of the infant. Each of the
two wings may be configured to surround and retain an arm of the
infant in a hand-raised and elbow-bent position to a respective
side of the infant. Each of the two wings includes a wing tip at an
upper portion of the wing. The apparel may be configured to retain
the arm of the infant in the hand-raised and elbow-bent position
and within the wing while allowing the infant to move one or more
of the two wings to a mouth of the infant.
Inventors: |
Krawchuk; Hana-Lia;
(Maroubra, AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Big Beings USA Pty Ltd. |
Zetland |
|
AU |
|
|
Assignee: |
Big Beings USA Pty Ltd.
Zetland
AU
|
Family ID: |
1000006092740 |
Appl. No.: |
17/644531 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14935929 |
Nov 9, 2015 |
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17644531 |
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12920034 |
Aug 27, 2010 |
9179711 |
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PCT/AU2010/000800 |
Jun 25, 2010 |
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14935929 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41B 13/06 20130101;
A41B 13/005 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41B 13/06 20060101
A41B013/06; A41B 13/00 20060101 A41B013/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 30, 2009 |
AU |
2009903034 |
Claims
1. An infant apparel, comprising: a portion for at least partially
enclosing an upper body of an infant; and two wings, each of the
two wings extending laterally away from a side of the portion for
at least partially enclosing an upper body of the infant, wherein
each of the two wings is configured to surround and retain an arm
of the infant in a hand-raised and elbow-bent position to a
respective side of the infant, wherein each of the two wings
includes a wing tip at an upper portion of the wing, and wherein
the apparel is configured to retain the arm of the infant in the
hand-raised and elbow-bent position and within the wing while
allowing the infant to move one or more of the two wings to a mouth
of the infant.
2. The infant apparel of claim 1, wherein the portion for at least
partially enclosing the upper body of the infant tapers in below
each of the two wings such that the apparel is configured to
prevent passage of an elbow of the infant out of a respective
wing.
3. The infant apparel of claim 1, wherein the portion for at least
partially enclosing the upper body of the infant is further
configured to cup each elbow of the infant to prevent passage of an
elbow of the infant out of a respective wing.
4. The infant apparel of claim 1, wherein each of the two wings is
configured to fit snugly around the arm of the infant, thereby
hugging the arm towards the respective side of the upper body of
the infant.
5. The infant apparel of claim 1, wherein the portion for at least
partially enclosing the upper body of the infant is configured to
hug contours of the upper body of the infant.
6. The infant apparel of claim 1, wherein each of the two wings is
configured to be detachable from, and fastenable to, the portion
for at least partially enclosing the upper body of the infant.
7. The infant apparel of claim 6, wherein the apparel comprises at
least one zipper configured to allow each of the two wings to be
detached from, or fastened to, the portion for at least partially
enclosing the upper body of the infant.
8. The infant apparel of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of at
least one of the two wings is made of a resilient material that is
configured to retain the arm of the infant in the hand-raised and
elbow-bent position while allowing the infant to move a hand to the
mouth of the infant.
9. The infant apparel of claim 1, further comprising a waistline
below the two wings and an uppermost periphery of the apparel,
wherein a distance as measured from a most lateral part of one of
the two wings to the waistline is smaller than a distance as
measured from the uppermost periphery of the apparel to the
waistline, such that the two wings restrict movement of the arm of
the infant away from the portion for at least partially enclosing
the upper body of the infant while allowing movement of a hand
towards the mouth of the infant.
10. An infant apparel, comprising: a central portion for at least
partially enclosing an upper body of an infant; and two wings, each
of the two wings extending laterally from a side of the central
portion, wherein each of the wings is configured to surround and
retain an arm of the infant in a hand-raised and elbow-bent
position at a respective side of the infant, wherein the apparel is
configured to retain an arm of the infant in each wing to prevent
full extension of the arm of the infant while allowing sufficient
movement such that the wing allows the infant to move a hand to a
mouth of the infant.
11. The infant apparel of claim 10, further comprising a waistline
below the two wings and an uppermost periphery of the apparel,
wherein a distance as measured from a most lateral part of one of
the two wings to the waistline is smaller than a distance as
measured from the uppermost periphery of the apparel to the
waistline, such that each wing restricts movement of the arm of the
infant away from the central portion while allowing movement of the
hand towards the mouth of the infant.
12. The infant apparel of claim 10, wherein each of the wings has a
wing tip at an uppermost portion of the wing when the infant is
wearing the infant apparel.
13. The infant apparel of claim 10, wherein the central portion
tapers in below each of the wings such that the central portion is
configured to prevent passage of an elbow of the infant out of the
wings.
14. The infant apparel of claim 10, wherein the central portion is
configured to cup each elbow of the infant to prevent the elbows
from moving out of the wings.
15. The infant apparel of claim 10, wherein each of the wings is
configured to fit snugly around the arm of the infant, thereby
hugging the arm towards the respective side of the upper body of
the infant.
16. The infant apparel of claim 10, wherein the central portion is
configured to hug contours of the upper body of the infant.
17. The infant apparel of claim 10, wherein at least a part of each
of the wings is configured to be detachable from, and fastenable
to, the central portion.
18. The infant apparel of claim 17, wherein the apparel comprises
at least one zipper configured to allow each of the wings to be
detached from, or fastened to, the central portion.
19. The infant apparel of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of
at least one of the wings is made of a resilient material that is
configured to retain the arm of the infant in the hand-raised and
elbow-bent position while allowing the infant to move the hand to
the mouth of the infant.
20. The infant apparel of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of
at least one of the wings is made of a resilient material that is
configured to retain the arm of the infant in the hand-raised and
elbow-bent position while allowing the infant to raise the hand to
the mouth of the infant.
21. The infant apparel of claim 10, wherein the central portion
includes a neck hole at an upper portion of the central
portion.
22. An infant apparel, comprising: an upper portion for at least
partially enclosing an upper body of an infant, wherein the upper
portion comprises: (a) a central portion, and (b) two wings, each
of the two wings extending laterally from a side of the central
portion at an upper portion of the upper portion, wherein each of
the wings is configured to surround and retain an arm of the infant
in a hand-raised and elbow-bent position to a respective side of
the infant, and an opening extending longitudinally along at least
a portion of the apparel, wherein the opening is configured to
transition between an open configuration and a closed
configuration, wherein, when in the closed configuration, a closure
maintains the opening in the closed configuration, and the upper
portion is configured to limit movement of the arm while being
configured to allow movement of a hand towards a mouth of the
infant while the arm is retained in one of the wings.
23. The infant apparel of claim 22, wherein the upper portion
tapers in from each of the wings to a waistline such that the upper
portion is configured to prevent passage of an elbow of the infant
out of the wings.
24. The infant apparel of claim 22, wherein the upper portion is
configured to cup elbows of the infant to prevent the elbows from
moving out of each of the wings.
25. The infant apparel of claim 22, wherein each of the wings is
configured to fit snugly around the arm of the infant, thereby
hugging the arm towards the respective side of the upper body of
the infant.
26. The infant apparel of claim 22, wherein the upper portion is
configured to hug contours of each upper limb of the infant.
27. The infant apparel of claim 22, wherein each of the wings is
configured to be detachable from, and fastenable to, the central
portion.
28. The infant apparel of claim 22, wherein at least a portion of
at least one of the wings includes a resilient material that is
configured to retain the arm of the infant in the hand-raised and
elbow-bent position while allowing the infant to move the hand to
the mouth.
29. The infant apparel of claim 24, wherein at least a portion of
at least one of the wings includes a resilient material that is
configured to retain the arm in the hand-raised and elbow-bent
position while allowing the infant to raise the hand to the
mouth.
30. The infant apparel of claim 22, wherein the upper portion
includes a neck hole at an upper region of the central portion.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to swaddles for infants, and
in particular to swaddle garments.
[0002] The invention has been developed primarily for use as a
means for swaddling infants for safe sleeping. However, it will be
appreciated that the invention is not restricted to this particular
use.
BACKGROUND
[0003] It is now well established that putting an infant to sleep
on his or her back is the single most important step in reducing
the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
[0004] Recent research also suggests that a baby's risk for SIDS
can be greatly reduced by using a pacifier. Medical research also
shows that babies who can satiate their natural sucking reflex
sleep better. Experts recommend giving babies a pacifier every time
they are placed to sleep. The exact reason that pacifiers reduce
the risk of SIDS is not known. One suggestion is that the presence
of a pacifier in the mouth may discourage babies from turning over
onto their tummy because turning or moving may dislodge the
pacifier. Another suggestion is that pacifier use and/or the
sucking reflex helps keep the tongue positioned forward, keeping
the airways open. Yet another suggestion is that pacifiers
stimulate upper airway muscles and saliva production, so using
pacifiers may keep babies from falling into a deep sleep, which is
protective against SIDS.
[0005] One of the factors that has led to a revival in the ancient
practice of swaddling is the practice of putting babies to sleep on
their backs as this helps to reduce the incidence of SIDS. However,
babies tend to sleep better on their tummies than on their backs.
Swaddling has been found to assist infants sleep more comfortably
on their backs and to assist in easing colic (particularly if
swaddled with a little added tightness around the belly region for
gentle pressure on or around the belly), which also improves sleep.
Swaddling is the practice of wrapping infants tightly in a blanket
or cloth so that movement of the limbs is restricted.
[0006] Medical research has shown that swaddling and sleeping
supine (on the back) promotes more efficient sleep, with fewer
spontaneous awakenings compared with sleeping supine but
unswaddled. Swaddling seems to inhibit each step from sighs through
startles to full arousal in the arousal pathway. This results in
swaddled babies sleeping longer and being more likely to return to
sleep on their own: Swaddling: a systematic review, Bregje E. van
Sleuwen, et al, Pediatrics vol 120, number 4, October 2007.
[0007] To achieve the benefits of swaddling, infants need to be
wrapped sufficiently tight to restrain the limbs and inhibit the
movements associated with a full startle reflex, which can wake
babies from sleep. The startle reflex is seen in infants from birth
to around 6 months of age (some sources indicate it can occur in
infants as old as eight months). The startle reflex is a natural
reflex that babies are born with, and can be triggered by loud
noise or sudden movement. In response to the trigger, the baby
throws back his/her head, extends out the arms and legs, cries,
then pulls the arms and legs back in. A baby's own cry can trigger
the reflex. It can also be triggered during sleep, causing the baby
to wake.
[0008] Care needs to be taken not to swaddle too tightly because
this can compress the chest and make breathing difficult. There is
also an increased risk of overheating especially when the head is
covered or when there is infection. Improper swaddling can also
lead to a risk of hip dysplasia (including hip dislocation)
especially when swaddling with the hips and legs in extension and
adduction (i.e. drawn toward the midline or sagittal plane of the
body).
[0009] Other risks associated with swaddling babies includes an
increased risk of SIDS when a swaddled infant is placed prone (on
his or her front) or able to turn to prone position. The SIDS risk
seems to be increased by swaddling with the head covered. There is
also a slightly increased risk of acute respiratory infections,
which seems to be related to the tightness of swaddling. These are
discussed in the systematic review of swaddling referred to
above.
[0010] Therefore, to swaddle properly and effectively, and to
achieve the desired result, the blanket must be snug enough to
immobilise the infant's arms, and to a certain degree its legs, but
loose enough that it is still comfortable and not increase the risk
of hip dysplasia or suppressed respiration.
[0011] Many parents and carers experience difficulty with swaddling
due to unfamiliarity with swaddling techniques. If not swaddled
correctly, the infant often wriggles free of the swaddle thus
becoming exposed to a risk of suffocation or SIDS-related issues
due to loose bedding and unrestricted positioning of the infant.
However, swaddling alone cannot eliminate these risks. This is
especially true for infants that are more than around six weeks
old, when they are stronger and more active than newborns. Even
when swaddled tightly with all limbs securely enclosed, infants can
potentially roll, becoming entrapped in the swaddling blanket or
trapped face down while still wrapped in the blanket.
[0012] To overcome the difficulty faced by parents and carers in
learning proper swaddling techniques and to address the problems of
improper swaddling, various swaddling garments have been developed.
Swaddling garments such as the infant safety suit of WO 2007/098558
(the Snuggo), the Ergococcoon and the Woombi address the problems
of wrapping too loosely or too tightly since the degree of wrapping
is predetermined by the garment.
[0013] As mentioned above, recent evidence shows that sucking on a
pacifier is protective against SIDS. In addition, supplemental
non-nutritive sucking (that is, sucking in addition to that
required for feeding) is known to help to soothe an infant.
Researchers have discovered that there is a clear reflex connection
between the hand and mouth of a human fetus as early as 12-14 weeks
after conception, and that thumb sucking in utero is common. After
birth, many infants continue to soothe themselves by sucking on
their thumbs or fingers. A newborn's ability to get the hands up to
his or her mouth and suck is seen as a positive ability of the
infant to organize him or herself in a self-soothing way. This
helps establish an infant's ability to independently cope with
stress and frustration.
[0014] Thus it would be an advantage to have a swaddle garment that
overcomes the problems of improper swaddling and also provides an
opportunity for non-nutritive sucking. This would improve the
calming effect of the swaddling garment, since research that
indicates that multiple simultaneous measures such as swaddling and
sucking (along with rocking, white noise and other interventions)
have an additive calming effect on crying infants: Karp H,
Swaddling and excessive crying, Journal of Pediatrics, July 2007,
e2. None of the aforementioned swaddling garments facilitates
non-nutritive sucking.
[0015] None of WO 2007/098558 (the Snuggo), the Ergococcoon or the
Woombi provide access to the hands while the infant is swaddled.
Movement of the infant's arms in all three of these swaddling
garments is restricted to 180 degrees below the shoulder line so
the hands are restrained near the body but below the shoulder line,
out of reach of the mouth.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 7,587,769 is a swaddling article including a
blanket formed with opposed arm-receiving sleeves that attempts to
facilitate non-nutritive sucking by securing a pacifier to the
blanket, thus overcoming the problem of pacifiers falling out of an
infant's mouth. The blanket incorporates a pacifier retaining
structure to retain a pacifier relative to the blanket so that the
pacifier is unable to fall away from the blanket. This keeps the
pacifier positioned near the mouth when the blanket is wrapped
around an infant so it is available for the infant to suck on at
will. The pacifier retaining structure includes a flap of fabric
secured to the upper edge of the swaddling blanket. The flap is
drawn across the region of the baby's mouth.
[0017] A disadvantage of the swaddling article of U.S. Pat. No.
7,587,769 is that it relies on a pacifier to be secured to the
blanket. Another disadvantage is that it essentially extends the
blanket across the face (around the mouth region), which can be
uncomfortable and covering the face during sleep increases the risk
of SIDs. Yet another disadvantage is that the swaddle article is in
the form of a modified blanket and so lacks the convenience and
advantages of a swaddling garment for example, the risk remains
that the swaddle may loosen through movement thus becoming less
effective and also posing a suffocation risk.
[0018] While research indicates that there are benefits associated
with non-nutritive sucking (e.g. pacifier use), it also indicates
that pacifier use may be associated with problems including:
[0019] interference with breast feeding,
[0020] dependence on the pacifier (so the baby cannot sleep without
one),
[0021] an increased risk of middle ear infections, and
[0022] dental problems associated with prolonged use (see
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pacifiers/PR00067/METHOD=print).
[0023] Hence, despite the established benefits of pacifier use,
many parents choose not to use pacifiers. Further, some infants
simply do not take to pacifiers. In any event, so as to minimise
interference with breastfeeding, the recommendation is to wait
until nursing is going well (usually one month) before offering a
pacifier. Thus pacifier use is not suitable for all infants and it
would be an advantage to provide a means for non-nutritive sucking
that does not rely on pacifier use.
[0024] Reflexes are set motor responses to specific sensory
stimuli. Newborns have a hand-to-mouth reflex that is a natural
instinct to get their hands to their mouths. Research indicates
that this ability to access the hands for sucking is important for
self-soothing. The hand-to-mouth reflex (along with the startle
reflex) is one of a number of primitive reflexes present from birth
or earlier. Primitive reflexes are thought to have provided
evolutionary advantages to humans.
[0025] The somatosensory system is a complex system of receptors
and processing centres that produce the senses including touch,
motion perception (proprioception) and balance, and spatial
perception of body parts (kinesthesia). The tactile or skin senses
(that rely on skin sensors for touch and pressure) appear first
during fetal development. The vestibular system, which is
responsible for movement and balance perception, and the tactile
(touch) sensors are highly developed in newborns.
[0026] The hand-to-mouth reflex goes with two reflexes that are
considered essential to appropriate feeding responses in newborns:
the rooting (or search) reflex and the sucking reflex. Both of
these reflexes are triggered by a touch (including pressure)
stimulus.
[0027] The rooting reflex occurs when the infant's cheek or corner
of the mouth is touched or stroked. The infant's mouth opens to
follow and "root" (search) in the direction of stroking or touch.
Rooting helps the baby to become ready to suck. The suckling reflex
is triggered by touching the mucous membranes on the inside of the
mouth with any object. Both reflexes facilitate nursing.
[0028] In the hand-to-mouth reflex, when an infant's cheek is
stroked, his or her mouth roots and the arm flexes. After hand and
mouth find each other, the infant may suck energetically on the
hands.
[0029] There is a need for a swaddling garment that does not suffer
the disadvantages of a swaddling using a blanket and that
effectively swaddles infants by sufficiently restraining movement
of the limbs to suppress the startle reflex, yet still affords
sufficient movement so that infants can get their hand(s) toward
their mouth, so providing the opportunity for non-nutritive sucking
without reliance on a pacifier.
[0030] U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,353 describes a swaddling garment in
which an infant's arms are gently bound in a bent-elbow, hands-up
position to inhibit the ability to fling open the arms without
restricting arm movement. Binding of the arms in this manner is
described as useful for holding a premature infant.
[0031] The BabySense Cuddlewrap is a blanket shaped to wrap an
infant's arms tightly near to the body and face, again as a means
for suppressing jerks of the arms and legs.
[0032] However, neither the manufacturer of the BabySense
Cuddlewrap nor the inventor of garment of U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,353
refer to the benefit of providing access to the hands for
non-nutritive sucking while swaddled and neither swaddle addresses
this need adequately.
[0033] While the swaddle of U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,353 is referred to
as a garment, the part of the garment that is responsible for
binding the arms in the manner described is two flaps of sufficient
length to wrap around the infant and overlap each other, secured in
place either by strips of hook and loop fasteners or simply by
relying on the length of the flaps. Thus binding of the arms is
achieved by a length of fabric in a manner analogous to a blanket.
Loosening of the binding is possible with movement/wriggling of the
baby--particularly in the embodiment that relies on the length of
the flaps to secure the wrapping around the infant or where the
hook and loop fastening is not sufficient to restrain loosening of
the flaps through wriggling movement of the infant.
[0034] Therefore, the risks associated with use of swaddling
blankets or cloths remain with both the BabySense Cuddlewrap and
the swaddle of U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,353, including:
[0035] 1. wrapping too tightly so as to suppress respiration;
[0036] 2. overwrapping the infant in several layers of fabric so as
to increase the risk of overheating (particularly as the preferred
embodiment of U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,353 also includes a hood);
[0037] 3. loosening of the swaddle around the upper body will
result in excess fabric around the upper body, posing a suffocation
risk to the infant;
[0038] 4. the arms are only restrained so long as the swaddle
remains tightly secured around the infant and loosening allows
increasing movement of the arms;
[0039] 5. the swaddle does not facilitate or maintain access to the
hands, although access can initially be provided depending on how
the hands are positioned when the infant is first swaddled.
[0040] Thus both U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,353 and the BabySense
Cuddlewrap share many of the disadvantages of swaddling using a
blanket, and do not act to secure the hands in position near the
face to provide the opportunity for non-nutritive sucking without
reliance on a pacifier.
[0041] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new or
alternative swaddling garment that swaddles infants by restraining
movement of the limbs and which overcomes the disadvantages of
other swaddling garments by allowing movement of the hand towards
the mouth and maintaining the hand in a position relative to the
infant's face thereby facilitating non-nutritive sucking.
[0042] It would be an advantage if the garment was also constructed
to add gentle pressure around the torso and specifically around the
horizontal plane of the abdomen area, which has been found to
assist in easing colic. There are swaddle blankets available that
claim to soothe colic. However, these known swaddle blankets
achieve their benefit for colic through wrapping--for example, the
swaddle blankets of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,868,566 and 7,043,785 each
have more than one fabric layer to wrap round the infant from
opposite directions, and the blanket of U.S. Pat. No. 7,076,819
relies on traditional swaddling method of wrapping the infant
neatly but with lengths of fabric to allow size and tightness
adjustments and also allowing tying or tucking to prevent
unravelling. All of these swaddle blankets share the disadvantage
of traditional swaddle blankets in that they still ultimately rely
on wrapping technique and can be cumbersome to use, with various
flaps of fabric for wrapping, typing or tucking. It would be useful
to have a swaddle garment that avoids the need to rely on wrapping
technique and that also assists to relieve the symptoms of
colic.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0043] According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a
swaddling garment for swaddling an infant, including an upper
portion for enclosing an infant's upper body, wherein the upper
portion includes:
[0044] (a) a bodice portion; and
[0045] (b) one wing portion on one side of the bodice portion and
another wing portion on another side of the bodice portion, said
one wing portion and said another wing portion extending laterally
from the bodice portion at an uppermost portion of the garment and
being large enough to completely surround and retain an infant's
arm and hand with the hand accessible to the mouth while preventing
full extension of the arm;
[0046] each of said one wing portion and said another wing portion
having a wing tip at an uppermost and most lateral portion of each
of the wing portions, and
[0047] said swaddling garment being tapered in at a garment waist
line below said wing portion to restrict movement of the infant's
arms out of the wing portions and maintain the infant's hand in
position accessible to the infant's face for non-nutritive
sucking.
[0048] According to another aspect of the invention there is
provided a swaddling garment for swaddling an infant, including an
upper portion for enclosing an infant's upper body, wherein the
upper portion includes:
[0049] (a) a bodice portion; and
[0050] (b) at least one wing portion, each said at least one wing
portion extending laterally from its respective side of the bodice
portion and being large enough to completely surround and retain an
infant's arm and hand with the hand accessible to the mouth.
[0051] Preferably, the garment is notionally demarcated into upper
and lower portions by a garment waistline,
[0052] the garment having an uppermost periphery at an uppermost
end of the upper portion, and a lowermost periphery at a lowermost
end of the lower portion,
[0053] wherein the wing portion extends in length substantially
from the uppermost periphery to the garment waistline, and
[0054] wherein a distance as measured from a most lateral part of
the wing to the garment waistline is smaller than a distance as
measured from the uppermost periphery of the garment to the garment
waistline,
[0055] such that the wing portions restrict movement of the
infant's arms away from the bodice portion while allowing movement
of an infant's hand towards the infant's mouth for non-nutritive
sucking.
[0056] The invention thus provides a new or alternative swaddling
garment and method for swaddling that swaddles infants by
sufficiently restraining movement of the limbs to suppress the
startle reflex, yet allowing movement of the hand towards the mouth
and maintaining the hand in position relative to the infant's face
thereby facilitating non-nutritive sucking. In an embodiment, it
also assists to relieve the symptoms of colic by applying gentle
pressure around the torso and specifically around a horizontal
plane corresponding with the abdomen area.
[0057] For a better understanding of the invention and to show how
it may be performed, a preferred embodiment will now be described,
by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings and example.
[0058] FIGS. 1A and 1B show front and back views of a swaddling
garment according to a preferred embodiment, with the back view
shown in smaller scale than the front view.
[0059] FIG. 1A is a front view of a preferred embodiment.
[0060] FIG. 1B is a back view of a preferred embodiment.
[0061] FIGS. 2A and 2B show front and back views of an alternative
arrangement of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, with the
back view shown in smaller scale than the front view.
[0062] FIG. 2A is a front view of a preferred embodiment.
[0063] FIG. 2B is a back view of a preferred embodiment.
[0064] FIGS. 3A and 3B show front and back views of a swaddling
garment according to an alternative embodiment, with the back view
in smaller scale than the front view.
[0065] FIG. 3A is a front view of an alternative embodiment.
[0066] FIG. 3B is a back view of an alternative embodiment.
[0067] FIG. 4 shows a front view of the embodiment of FIGS. 3A and
3B, showing the detachable wing portions attached.
[0068] FIGS. 5A and 5B show front and back views of a swaddling
garment according to yet another embodiment, with the back view
shown in smaller scale than the front view.
[0069] FIG. 5A is a front view of the embodiment.
[0070] FIG. 5B is a back view of the embodiment.
[0071] FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E show front and back views of a
swaddling garment according to yet another embodiment, as well as
cross sections across a series of horizontal planes along the
garment.
[0072] FIG. 6A is a front view of the embodiment.
[0073] FIG. 6B is a back view of the embodiment.
[0074] FIG. 6C is a cross section of the embodiment, taken along
line F-F of FIGS. 6A and 6B.
[0075] FIG. 6D is a cross section of the embodiment, taken along
line G-G of FIGS. 6A and 6B.
[0076] FIG. 6E is a cross section of the embodiment, taken along
line H-H of FIGS. 6A and 6B.
[0077] FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E, and 7F are a series of exemplary
front views of a swaddling garment according to the embodiment of
FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E, showing different arrangements of the
lower portion.
[0078] FIG. 7A shows a front view of an embodiment in which the
lower portion tapers in at the lowermost periphery.
[0079] FIG. 7B shows a front view of an embodiment in which the
lower portion widens below the waist line.
[0080] FIG. 7C shows a front view of an embodiment in which the
lower portion comprises pants.
[0081] FIG. 7D shows a front view of an embodiment in which the
lower portion is open below the waistline.
[0082] FIG. 7E shows a front view of an embodiment in which the
lower portion includes leg holes and a closeable opening at the
lowermost periphery.
[0083] FIG. 7F shows a front view of an embodiment in which the
lower portion includes shorts.
[0084] FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D show various arrangements of
weighted portions on a front view of the embodiments of FIGS. 7A,
7B, 7C, 7D, 7E, 7F, 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D.
[0085] FIG. 8A shows a front panel of the embodiment, with the
weighted portion configured in a horizontal plane around the
abdomen.
[0086] FIG. 8B shows a front panel of the embodiment, with the
weighted portion configured in an oval shape sitting over the front
of the abdomen.
[0087] FIG. 8C shows a front panel of the embodiment, with the
weighted portion configured in a rectangular shape sitting over the
front of the abdomen.
[0088] FIG. 8D shows a front panel of the embodiment, with the
weighted portion configured in a first shape (drawn as rectangle)
sitting over the front of the abdomen and a second weighted portion
further down the lower portion of the garment.
[0089] EXAMPLE 1 is a method of swaddling an infant.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0090] The invention provides a new or alternative swaddling
garment that swaddles infants by sufficiently restraining movement
of the limbs to suppress the startle reflex, yet allowing movement
of the hand towards the mouth and maintaining the hand in position
relative to the infant's face thereby facilitating non-nutritive
sucking and allowing the infant to self-soothe by sucking the
hands. In this way, the swaddling garment offers advantages over
other swaddling garments by providing greater protection against
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by virtue of facilitating
non-nutritive sucking.
[0091] Infants swaddled in the swaddling garment can act on the
hand-to-mouth reflex (the natural instinct to get their hands to
their mouths) as the swaddling garment allows movement of the hands
towards the mouth. Further, the swaddle garment maintains the
infant's hand(s) in position relative to the face, improving access
to the hands and increasing the opportunity for movement of the
hands and/or arms, or the fabric of the swaddling garment itself,
to trigger the rooting reflex. This is the natural instinct of the
infant to search for something to suck on when the cheek is touched
or stroked. In this way, the swaddling garment is designed to
facilitate non-nutritive sucking--on the hand(s) or on the fabric
of the swaddle garment near the hand(s).
[0092] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, front and back views are shown
of a preferred embodiment of the swaddling suit/garment 100 (see
FIGS. 1A and 1B, respectively). The swaddling garment 100 includes
an upper portion 110 for at least partially enclosing the infant's
upper body. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the garment 100 has an
uppermost periphery at the uppermost end of the upper portion (the
end indicated by the line marked "A") and a lowermost periphery at
the lowermost end of the lower portion (the end of the garment
indicated by the line marked "B"). Persons skilled in the art will
appreciate that the uppermost and lowermost peripheries are not
linear but follow the top and bottom edges of the garment
respectively (the lines marked "A" and "B" are indicative only of
the "uppermost" and "lowermost" ends of the garment, respectively).
Features bearing the same number or letter designations in any of
the embodiments illustrated are the same as described in relation
to any other embodiment.
[0093] As shown in FIG. 1A, the garment 100 is notionally divided
into an upper portion 110 and a lower portion 120 by a garment
waistline (demarcated by line "Y"). The waistline "Y" of garment
100 notionally corresponds to the natural waist (as depicted in the
drawings) but persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a
garment waistline may vary in position from just below the bustline
to just below the hipline. The upper portion (indicated by the
bracket labelled 110 in the FIGS. 1A to 5B) is for enclosing the
infant's torso and arms (the upper body).
[0094] Extending laterally away from the midline on each side of
the bodice portion 130 is a wing portion 140, as can be seen in
FIG. 1A. The wing portion 140 is the part of the upper portion
lateral to the line marked "C" on each side of the garment 100. As
shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A (for example), each wing portion 140 is
large enough to completely surround and retain the infant's arm,
and extends in length: [0095] (a) from the uppermost periphery of
the garment (the edge of the garment near the end marked by line
"A"--refer FIGS. 1A to 5B); [0096] (b) substantially to the garment
waistline (demarcated by line "Y" in FIGS. 1A to 5B).
[0097] The wing portions 140 restrict movement of the arms away
from the bodice portion 130 (that is, away from the infant's torso,
in the opposite direction than depicted by the arrow marked "D" in
the figures). This restriction in arm movement is achieved by the
proportions of the wing portions, better understood by reference to
FIGS. 1A, 2A, 3A, 4 and 5A. The line marked "E" in each of FIGS. 1B
to 5B represents a vertical plane corresponding to the most lateral
part of the wing portion. The wing portions are of a dimension
(measured to the most lateral part of the wing portion (at line
"E") that prevents full extension of the arm. In an embodiment, by
way of example only, this may be achieved by making the dimension
from the most lateral part of the wing portion (at line "E") to the
garment waistline smaller than the distance as measured from the
uppermost periphery of the garment to the garment waistline (e.g.
refer FIGS. 1A to 4). These dimensions reflect the relative
proportions of what would be reflected in a conventional garment,
respectively, as: [0098] (a) the distance from the shoulder seam to
the end of the sleeve; and [0099] (b) the length of the underarm
seam.
[0100] The wing portion 140 prevents full extension of an arm
enclosed therein, by being "shortened" relative to the length of an
arm contained within the wing portion (whether achieved through the
relative proportions of the wing portion to other parts of the
garment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 4 and described in the
preceding paragraphs, or by other means, such as shortening of the
"underarm "seam" (or equivalent) or the "shoulder seam" (or
equivalent--as depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B). Fabric tension
restricts arm movement in a direction away from the bodice portion
130 so that an arm encased within the wing portion is prevented
from extending out fully. Tapering in of the wing portion 130 at
the garment waistline (demarcated by line "Y") prevents the arm
from escaping out of the wing portion into the rest of the garment
100 (the same applies for embodiments 200 and 300). Slight
resistance in the wing portions and retention of the whole arm and
hand within the wing portion assists babies to feel their "edges",
simulating the enclosed, comforting environment of the womb. The
wing tip 150 acts like a "corner" (edge) to the environment to
cover the hands. The feeling of fabric on the hand and the covering
of the hand activates proprioception, giving feedback to the
infant. As discussed below, the restriction in arm movement
suppresses the startle reflex but still allows movement of the hand
towards the mouth, so that baby can suck the hands for
self-soothing.
[0101] The bodice portion 130 may be continuous or integral with
the wing portions 140 (e.g. refer to FIGS. 1A and 1B, 2A and 2B,
and 5A and 5B). Alternatively, the wing portions 140 may be
discrete but connected to the bodice portion. In an embodiment, the
most lateral part of the wing portion 140 is removable (see FIGS.
3A, 3B, and 4).
[0102] In all embodiments, the wing portions 140 restrict movement
of the arms away from the bodice portion and prevent full extension
of the arm, but permit arm movement towards the bodice portion 130
(in the direction depicted by the arrow marked "D" in FIGS. 1A, 2A,
4 and 5A), thereby allowing access of hands to the mouth for
non-nutritive sucking.
[0103] As can be seen from FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 4, 5A and 5B, the
garment is greater in width between the wing portions 140 than at
the garment waistline (demarcated by line "Y"). In this way, the
wing portions 140 form a T-like shape with the bodice portion 130.
Referring to FIGS. 1A to 4, the garment may be rounded in shape,
following the contours of an infant, with the T-like shape formed
by the wing portions 140 extending laterally from the bodice
portion 130 also being rounded, as can be seen in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A,
2B, 3A, 3B and 4. Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the wing portions
may be geometric rather than rounded in shape.
[0104] The common feature in all embodiments illustrated in FIGS.
1A to 5B is that the wing portions 140 extend laterally (i.e.
outwardly) away from the midline to form the most lateral and
widest portion of the swaddling garment 100. As depicted in the
drawings, the wing portions 140 extend from approximately the waist
line (demarcated by line "Y") of the garment 100 to the uppermost
periphery of the garment 100 (at the uppermost end of the garment,
demarcated by line "A").
[0105] The wing portion 140 acts as a position-restricting means to
maintain the hands in position relative to the face by virtue of
the following:
[0106] 1. as can be seen from FIGS. 1A and 1B, each wing portion
140 is designed to completely surround and retain one of the
infant's arms, with the hands accessible to the mouth, with wing
tips for receiving the hands being positioned near or toward the
horizontal plane of the shoulder line (e.g. as seen in FIGS. 1A and
1B) or above (e.g. as seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B) the horizontal plane
of the shoulder line;
[0107] 2. the wing portion 140 fits snugly around the arm thereby
hugging the arm towards the bodice portion in the aforementioned
position thereby maintaining the hands up near the face; and
[0108] 3. the wing portion 140 is shaped to taper in towards the
bodice portion near the garment waist line (refer line "Y" in FIGS.
1A and 1B) under the bent elbow, thereby cupping the bent elbow and
further assisting to support the hands up near the face and to
restrict the infant from moving the hands away from the face, by
preventing passage of the arm out of the wing portion.
[0109] As can be seen in FIGS. 1A, 2A, 3A, 4 and 5A, the wing
portion 140 includes a wing tip 150 at its outermost (most lateral)
portion, to receive the infant's raised hand (refer Figures). The
wing tip 150 assists to further secure the hand and retain it in
place once in position. In one arrangement, the wing portion is
resilient, the resilience further assisting to hug the arms towards
the body and maintain the hand in position at the wing tip. The
shape of the uppermost part of the upper portion also prevents the
hands from travelling into the neck hole 165 (see inset, FIG. 3A),
which can pose a choking risk to infants by restricting the neck
hole 165.
[0110] In some arrangements, the wing portion 140 may include an
internal pocket. The pocket may enclose the lower arm and hand, or
just the hand in a glove-like fashion. This further assists in
retaining the hand relative to the face.
[0111] The swaddling garment 100 facilitates non-nutritive sucking
by the swaddled infant (and hence assists the infant to self-soothe
by sucking the hands or the fabric of the swaddling garment near
the hands) in the following ways:
[0112] 1. the swaddling garment 100 makes the infant's hands
accessible to the mouth by retaining the infant's hands in position
relative to the face yet allowing the arms to move between adducted
and abducted positions; and
[0113] 2. the wing tip is configured so that it is able to brush or
touch the infant's own cheek or the corner of his or her mouth when
so moving the arm(s) and/or turning the head, thereby triggering
the infant's rooting and/or hand-to-mouth reflexes.
[0114] By retaining the hand(s) near the mouth while allowing the
infant to move the hand toward the mouth by adducting the arm
and/or turning the head, the garment enables sucking of the hand(s)
or fabric of the swaddling garment near the hands for self soothing
(through non-nutritive sucking). Research has found that
non-nutritive sucking is protective against SIDS. Known swaddling
garments retain the hands away from the face by restricting
movement of the hands to 180 degrees below the shoulder line. By
restricting movement of the hand(s) to 180 degrees near or above
the shoulder line, the swaddling garment 100 overcomes the problem
of prior art swaddling garments that deny access of hands towards
the mouth. This is achieved by the shape of the wing portions.
Taking FIG. 2A as an example, tapering in of the upper portion 110
at the garment waistline (demarcated by line "Y") prevents the arm
(which is wholly contained within the wing portion 140 in a
hand-raised and elbow-bent position) from escaping out of the wing
portion 140. This means the infant's hands are retained towards the
uppermost periphery (near or towards the uppermost end of the
garment 200 demarcated by line "A" in FIG. 2A) but can move towards
the mouth for non-nutritive sucking. These features also apply to
the other embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 4, 5A, and
5B).
[0115] A further advantage of the T-like configuration (greater
width between wing portions 140 than at the garment waistline Y, as
seen in FIG. 1A) with the wing portions retaining the arms and
hands in the hands-raised position on both sides of the bodice
portion is that the swaddled infant laid supine (on the back) for
sleep is hindered from rolling over the arms into the prone (face
down) position. This is further protective against the risk of
SIDS.
[0116] Rolling is restricted by the positioning of the arms with
elbows bent and hands up towards (FIGS. 1A, 1B) or above (e.g.,
FIGS. 2A, 2B) the shoulder line and to the side of the bodice
portion (by virtue of the wing portions being lateral to the bodice
portion). However, if babies do manage to roll onto their front
then they can use their arms to push up off the mattress, turn
their head and keep breathing, minimising suffocation risk.
Stronger babies have the advantage of being able to push themselves
back to the supine position. Known swaddle garments bind the arms
to the chest, preventing the infant from being able to use the arms
to push up off the mattress.
[0117] The lower portion 120 of the swaddling garment 100 includes
a pouch 135 for enclosing the infant's legs. The swaddling garment
100 tapers in towards the garment midline at or near the waist
line, just below the wing portion 140 (as can be seen in FIG. 1A).
The garment 100 then widens to accommodate hip width and the lower
portion 120 remains substantially the same width from around the
hip down to the lowermost part (where the feet are enclosed). This
is to ensure an even, snug fit of the swaddling garment 100 along
the length of the infant.
[0118] The garment applies compressive pressure around the body,
causing the garment 100 to hug the infant's contours. The
compressive force assists to press the infant's arms towards the
body. This provides resistance against full extension, thereby
restricting movement of the infant's arms away from the body. In
newborns, this wrapping of the infant's arms towards the body
suppresses the full extensor startle response to loud noise or
sudden movement. The startle response is the instinct of infants
aged up to around 6 months to startle upon a loud noise or sudden
movement, causing them to quickly spread out (extend) their limbs
then draw (flex) them back in towards the body.
[0119] Thus the swaddling garment 100 confines the arms with hands
towards (FIGS. 1A, 1B) or above (FIGS. 2A, 2B) the shoulder line
and accessible to the face (mouth). The garment 100 also hugs the
contours of the baby to further inhibit the startle response. The
pressure applied by the swaddling garment 100 as it hugs the
infant's contours also provides somatosensory (including
proprioceptive) feedback to infants, assisting with infant's touch,
movement and balance perception.
[0120] In one arrangement, the swaddling garment 100 shown in FIGS.
1A, 1B is made of a resilient material with two-way stretch (that
is, resilience in both warp and weft directions). In one
arrangement, the material is a fabric containing a percentage of
elasticated yarn such as cotton spandex. However, the swaddling
garment can be made using any suitable material for wrapping an
infant, so long as the configuration of parts and shape of the wing
portions secure the arms in a hands-up position with the hands
positioned relative to the face such that the hands are accessible
to the mouth. The relative positioning of the hands to the mouth
facilitates non-nutritive sucking and restricts movement of the
arms and hands away from this position.
[0121] Extension of the limbs requires the infant to push against
the compressive force applied by the garment 100 as it wraps around
the infant. Where the garment 100 is made of resilient material,
the resilience assists in tending the limbs towards the body by
resisting full extension of the limbs while allowing the limbs to
move between adducted and abducted positions (toward and away from
the sagittal or longitudinal midline plane of the body). This
further facilitates hand-to-mouth access by the infant. This is
because the resilience further assists to maintain the hand
relative to the face while permitting hand movement 180 degrees
below the shoulder (the approximate position of the shoulder line
is demarcated by the dashed line marked X in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B,
4, 5A, and 5B).
[0122] The swaddling garment 100 has an opening 160 to allow
insertion of an infant into the garment. The opening 160 is
closeable by any suitable closure means, including hook and loop
fasteners, zipper means, buttons or any other method of fastening
the opposing sides of the opening together. In the preferred
embodiment, the opening 160 extends longitudinally along the
swaddling garment 100, from the upper portion to the lower portion
(see FIG. 1A). However, in some arrangements, the opening 160 may
be shorter than is illustrated or be positioned elsewhere such as
along a side seam or running along the lowermost seam of the lower
portion 120.
[0123] In a preferred embodiment, the closure means is a two-way
zipper extending along the opening, allowing the opening 160 to be
partially openable from either end. Any other closure means (e.g.
buttons, press studs) that allows partial opening from either end
can also be used. When opened from the lower portion end, the
opening 160 provides access to the infant's lower body (e.g. for
changing nappies or using a child restraint in a car or pram) while
the upper body remains swaddled. Alternatively, the closure means
does not provide two-way access (not illustrated) but the opening
is positioned such that access to the lower body is possible while
the upper body remains swaddled (e.g. by positioning the opening
with closure means along a seam).
[0124] In a preferred embodiment, the swaddling garment 100
comprises a front panel (FIG. 1A) secured to a back panel (FIG.
1B). The front panel is configured to cover the front of an infant
enclosed within the garment, and the back panel is configured to
cover the back of the infant. In some arrangements, the upper
portion and lower portion are continuous, formed by front and back
panels that extend the full length of the swaddling garment 100--as
illustrated. In other arrangements, the front and/or back panels
comprise adjoining subpanels that collectively extend the full
length of the swaddling garment (not illustrated).
[0125] In the preferred embodiment, the opening 160 is positioned
on the front panel of the swaddling garment 100 for example, as
shown in FIG. 1A, extending lengthways along the centre of the
front panel from the neck hole 165 to the lower portion of the
garment 100. The opening can also be positioned off-centre or along
a side seam.
[0126] Referring to FIG. 1B, a slot 170 allows passage of a child
restraint belt (e.g. car seatbelt) through the garment 100. The
slot 170 enables the belt to pass through the internal volume and
exit through a corresponding portion of the opening 160. As the
opening 160 can be partially opened, it can remain substantially
closed while allowing the belt passage through the garment. This
allows the infant to be secured for transportation while remaining
swaddled.
[0127] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, an alternative arrangement of
the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B is shown, in which the
swaddling garment 100 has wing tips 150 that clearly extend above
the shoulder line (the approximate position of the shoulder line is
demarcated by the dashed line labelled X in FIGS. 2A, 2B). It can
be seen by comparing FIGS. 1A and 2A that the wing tip 150 (i.e.
the most lateral portion of the wing portion 140) may be shaped to
accommodate the hands to the sides of the bodice portion 130 (FIGS.
1A and 2A) as well as substantially near the shoulder line (FIG.
1A) or above the shoulder line (FIG. 2A). The embodiment of FIGS.
2A, 2B otherwise retains the same features as the embodiment
depicted in FIGS. 1A, 1B.
[0128] Referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4, an alternative embodiment
200 is shown in which at least part of each wing portion 140 is
detachable from the bodice portion 130.
[0129] FIGS. 3A and 3B show the wing portions 140 detached while
FIG. 4 shows the wing portions 140 attached. The detachable wing
portions 140 can be fastened to the bodice portion using any
suitable fastening means, such as the hook and loop fasteners shown
in FIG. 3A labelled item 185 or a zipper means.
[0130] Removal of the wing portions 140 leaves an armhole (opening)
180 on either side of the bodice portion 130 (see FIG. 3A). An
infant wearing the swaddling garment 200 is able to become
unswaddled by extending one or both arms laterally out from the
garment through the opening(s) 180. This embodiment 200 assists
parents to transition the infant out of swaddling by removing a
first wing portion 140 and leaving the second wing portion attached
so that one of the infant's arms is still maintained in the
elbows-bent-and-hands-raised position. The swaddling garment 200 is
used in this manner for a transition period (e.g. a few weeks) to
allow the infant to accommodate to having one arm completely out
and free to move. The next step is to remove the second wing
portion, in which case the infant is no longer swaddled and the
garment 200 acts like a sleeping bag.
[0131] In the embodiment 200 shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4, the
lower portion 120 is shaped so that it is wider at its lowermost
end than around the waist. This is in contrast to the embodiment
100 of FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B, in which the lower portion tapers
in below the wing portion then expands to accommodate the hip and
then remains substantially the same width down to the feet. The
shape of the lower portion 120 of the embodiment 200 of FIGS. 3A,
3B, and 4 allows a greater degree of freedom of movement of the
lower limbs than the first embodiment, which reflects use of this
embodiment 200 in infants being prepared for transition out of
swaddling. The embodiment 200 of FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4 otherwise
retains the same features of the embodiment 100 described in
relation to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B. Items bearing the same item
label in different figures depict the same feature in different
arrangements/embodiments. The features of embodiment 200 are
otherwise as described for embodiment 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1A
and 1B.
[0132] Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a third embodiment 300 is
shown, in which the position-restricting means that retains the
hands near the face includes:
[0133] 1. wing portions 140 configured to receive the arms in a
hand-raised position, with the hands raised near, towards or above
the shoulder line; and
[0134] 2. a tension pouch 190 intermediate each wing portion 140
and the bodice portion 130, near or towards the horizontal plane of
the shoulder line (indicated by line "X" in FIGS. 5A and 5B).
[0135] In this embodiment 300, the most lateral part of the wing
portions 140 act like sleeves to receive the lower arms. The "ends"
(most lateral part) of the wing portions 140 may be open, allowing
the hands to extend through the open end. Alternatively, the ends
of the wing portions 140 may be closed so that the hands are
retained within the wing portions 140. In contrast to the
embodiments 100 and 200 of FIGS. 1A to 4, the embodiment 300 of
FIGS. 5A and 5B relies on tension to resist the arms and hands
moving away from the bodice portion, rather than pressure to tend
the arms and hands toward the face. When the wing portions 140 are
open, the arms may extend up through the wing portion resulting in
the elbow being extended away from the bent position. However, the
hand is still retained in position relative to the face and
accessible to the mouth by virtue of the tension pouch 190. The
embodiment of FIGS. 5A and 5B otherwise retains the same features
as the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
[0136] Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, front and back views of yet
another embodiment are shown. This embodiment includes weighted
portions or areas (cross-hatched in FIGS. 6A-6E and 7A-7F) to apply
additional pressure on or around the belly region to assist in
relieving the symptoms of colic. This feature (applying gentle
pressure around the horizontal plane of the abdomen area) is
achieved through the combination of:
[0137] (a) weighted portions (areas shown with cross-hatching in
FIGS. 6A and 6B, and 7A to 7F) around the parts of the garment 600
that sit around the abdomen;
[0138] (b) tapering in of the garment 600 below the wing portions
140 at the garment waistline (demarcated by line "Y") so that the
garment is narrower around the abdomen area than between the wing
portions 140.
[0139] The embodiment of FIGS. 6A-6E and 7A-7F has the same
features as described in relation to the embodiments of FIGS. 1A,
1B, 2A, and 2B. The wing portions 140 are shown extending laterally
from each side of the bodice portion 130. The lower portion may
take various forms--from a sack-like shape for accommodating both
legs (tapered in or out, as shown by way of example in FIGS. 7A and
7B), to an open portion so that the garment 600 takes the form of
an elongated swaddling jacket (FIG. 7D), or a "onesie"-style
garment with leg openings (FIG. 7E), short pants (FIG. 7F) or long
pants (FIG. 7C--shown as footed pants, but could also be open at
the feet).
[0140] The weighted portions (FIGS. 8A to 8D) are configured to
apply gentle pressure to the abdomen, to help soothe a colicky
infant. This is through the positioning of the weighted portions
over the portions of the garment that correspond to the abdomen--on
both the front panel 210 and back panel 220 of the garment 600.
[0141] Cross-sections of the embodiment of FIGS. 6A and 6B are
shown in FIGS. 6C to 6E. FIGS. 6A, 6B and 8A to 8D show that the
weighted portions may extend up over the garment waistline to just
under the diaphragm, and down to the lowermost periphery/edge of
the garment (demarcated by line "B"). As can be seen from the
cross-sections in FIGS. 6C to 6E, the part of the upper portion 110
of the garment including the wing portions 140 is made of a single
layer of fabric--for comfort. The wing portions 140 secure the
infant's arms but allow access to the hands for non-nutritive
sucking. By contrast, the weighted portions (the cross-hatched
areas) are made from material with a higher thermal weight and, as
such, form (a) semi-rigid portion(s) of the garment compared with
the wing portions 140. This semi-rigid portion applies gentle
pressure to the abdomen areas of an infant within the garment 600.
The weighted portion may be made of a material with a greater
thermal weight than the non-weighted portion or, as illustrated in
FIGS. 6C to 6E, include two or more layers of fabric. In an
arrangement, the weighted portion further includes a layer of
insulation between two of the layers of fabric so that the weighted
portions form an in-built quilted portion of the garment.
[0142] FIGS. 8A to 8D show that the precise shape and arrangement
of weighted portions may vary. The shape of the weighted portion
may be parabolic across the upper abdomen (as shown in FIGS. 6A and
6B), a gentle curve corresponding to the lower ribs, straight
across the horizontal plane of the upper abdomen (see FIG. 8A), or
a 2D shape sitting over the abdomen and extending down to the lower
portion (e.g. an oval as in FIG. 8B, or a rectangle as in FIGS. 8C
and 8D). Further the weighted portion on a single panel (front
panel 210 or back panel 220) may be made up of more than one shape
(e.g. as shown in FIG. 8D in which a first weighted portion sits
over the abdomen and a second weighted portion sits lower down the
lower portion--for warmth).
[0143] The weighted portions (cross-hatched areas of FIGS. 6A to
8D) have higher thermal weight and/or material weight than the
non-weighted portions (the areas not shaded in FIGS. 6A to 8D). The
weighted portions are configured to sit over the abdomen area on
the front panel 210 and back panel 220 of the garment 600, and to
apply pressure through the weight of the fabric to the infant
within.
[0144] For comfort, the garment 600 includes areas of different
thermal (or material weight), with: [0145] (a) weighted portions of
the garment (cross-hatched areas in FIGS. 6A to 8D) that are
semi-rigid relative to the non-weighted portions, to apply gentle
pressure to the abdomen area to comfort and soothe the infant; and
[0146] (b) non-weighted portions (areas not cross-hatched in FIGS.
6A to 8D) that are flexible relative to the weighted portions, for
comfort and to allow movement/access of the hand to the mouth for
non-nutritive sucking.
[0147] As can be seen from FIGS. 6A to 8D, the uppermost portion of
the upper portion 110 (including the wing portions 140 and the part
of the bodice portion 130 between the wing portions 140) do not
include weighted portions. This can be seen from FIG. 6C (as shown
in cross section across line F-F). This allows the non-weighted
areas of the garment 600 to be more flexible relative to the
part(s) of the garment that include weighted portions. For similar
reason, the garment includes areas of lighter thermal weight for
comfort at the sides of the garment--as can be seen in FIGS. 6A to
8D. The areas of lighter thermal weight may be only around the wing
portions (e.g. FIGS. 6A to 6E, 8A), along the sides of the garment
from the uppermost to lowermost peripheries (e.g. FIGS. 8B, 8C and
8D), or additionally also in parts of the lower portion (e.g. FIG.
8D).
[0148] As can be seen from FIGS. 6D and 6E, the garment 600 applies
gentle pressure equally around the abdomen area. This is achieved
by having the same thermal weight or material weight in the front
panel 210 and back panel 220. Accordingly, as can be seen from
FIGS. 6D and 6E, a weighted portion placed centrally on the abdomen
in the front panel is countered by a weighted portion of equivalent
thermal weight positioned correspondingly in the back panel.
[0149] The garment (in all embodiments) is designed to fit snugly
around the contours of an infant and in this way applies pressure
around the abdomen area of an infant enclosed therein--even in the
absence of weighted portions. The weighted portions enhance this
effect. In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 7A, the
garment waist line demarcated by line "Y" represents a notional
division between the upper portion and lower portion of the
garments. As with the embodiments in FIGS. 1A to 5B, the garment
tapers in below the wing portions to hug the torso around the
abdomen area (the part of the garment notionally corresponding to
the region between the thorax to the pelvis).
[0150] Method of Swaddling an Infant
[0151] The invention also provides a new or alternative method of
swaddling an infant using a swaddling garment that improves
protection against SIDS by facilitating non-nutritive sucking.
[0152] A specific example is provided below.
Example 1
[0153] The example relies on a swaddling garment that retains the
hands near the face and that sufficiently restricts movement of the
limbs to suppress the startle reflex, while allowing baby movement
of hand to mouth.
[0154] Using the embodiment 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B:
[0155] 1. Insert the infant's torso and arms through the opening
into the upper portion of the swaddling garment; [0156] 2. Insert
the arms up into the wing portions; [0157] 3. Tuck the hands into
the wing tip; [0158] 4. Close the opening of the garment by closing
the closure means. [0159] 5. A further step of inserting an
infant's legs through the opening of the garment, so that the legs
are received by the pouch (optional).
[0160] An advantage of any of the preferred embodiments is that the
swaddling garment swaddles infants by sufficiently restraining
movement of the limbs to suppress the startle reflex, yet allowing
movement of the hand towards the mouth and maintaining the hand in
position relative to the infant's face such that the hands are
accessible to the mouth. The relative positioning of the hands to
the mouth facilitates non-nutritive sucking and restricts movement
of the arms and hands away from this position. In this way, the
swaddling garment offers advantages over other swaddling garments
by providing greater protection against sudden infant death
syndrome (SIDS) by virtue of facilitating non-nutritive sucking in
combination with the advantages of swaddling.
[0161] A further advantage of the preferred embodiments is that the
swaddling garment facilitates non-nutritive sucking without relying
on a pacifier.
[0162] Yet another advantage of the swaddling garment is that the
arms are semi-restrained in a position that reduces the risk of the
swaddled infant rolling over into the prone position from the
supine position. If the infant does roll onto his or her front, the
hands are positioned so they are available to the infant (rather
than being bound to the body) to push him- or herself up at least
so the infant can lift the head and turn it to the side, or even to
push him- or herself back into a supine position, thereby
minimising the risk of suffocation. This is further protective
against the risk of SIDS.
[0163] Another advantage still of the swaddling garment is that the
garment provides gentle pressure around the torso (and specifically
the abdomen area) to help relieve the symptoms of colic and to
soothe the baby within. The relative difference in rigidity between
the weighted and non-weighted portions allows pressure to be
differentially applied without discomfort or limiting access to
mouth for non-nutritive sucking.
[0164] The invention provides a swaddling garment for use in
swaddling infants and which assists to protect against SIDS by
facilitating non-nutritive sucking in combination with the
advantages of swaddling. The swaddling garment has been developed
primarily for use as a means for swaddling infants for safe
sleeping. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not
restricted to these particular fields of use and that it is not
limited to particular embodiments or applications described
herein.
* * * * *
References