APPARATUS FOR INFANT SLEEP POSITIONING
The present apparatus comprises an infant bolster pillow with a unique shape, texture, and features. The pillow is L-shaped with a long side and a relatively short side at a right angle to, and at the end of, the long side. The apparatus has a soft three dimensional surface that promotes tactile exploration by the infant while remaining soft to the touch. The L-shape prevents the pillow from rolling during use, as the short arm prevents the rotation of the pillow during use. In one embodiment, each pillow has a hidden fastening mechanism so that a pair of pillows can be linked together to provide tummy time for the infant with the same apparatus.
Studies have shown that an infant should sleep on his or her back. This is considered the safest position for the infant and is considered an important method to reduce sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, infants may roll onto their side during sleep, a more dangerous position for the infant.
Even when the infant does not roll over, there is the possibility for positional plagiocephaly, a flattened or misshapen head, or brachycephaly, the flattening of the back of the skull of the infant.
The current art has attempted to solve the problem of keeping the infant on its back during sleep in a number of ways. One method is to provide a mat with two sides shaped in the form of bolsters. The infant sleeps with its arms adjacent the bolsters with the theory that the infant is unlikely to roll on its side due to the bolsters. A disadvantage of this system is that the bolsters are necessarily a predefined distance apart. This means that it is optimal only for infants of a certain size. In addition, as the infant grows, the infant may become too large for the mat device to be effective. This device has only one use, and is not very effective for that use.
Another prior art attempt is the use of separate roll-shaped bolsters that are placed along either side of an infant. The disadvantage of these bolsters is that they roll when in use, possibly rolling away from the infant and allowing the infant to roll on its side.
The present apparatus comprises an infant bolster pillow with a unique shape, texture, and features. The pillow is L-shaped with a long side and a relatively short side at a right angle to, and at the end of, the long side. The apparatus has a soft three dimensional surface that promotes tactile exploration by the infant while remaining soft to the touch. The L-shape prevents the pillow from rolling during use, as the short arm prevents the rotation of the pillow during use. In one embodiment, each pillow has a hidden fastening mechanism so that a pair of pillows can be linked together to provide tummy time for the infant with the same apparatus.
Pillows 101 and 103 are covered with a soft fabric outer layer 107 and 108 respectively. The surface of the outer layer 107 is covered with soft fabric bumps or protrusions 111. Similarly, the surface of outer layer 108 is covered with soft fabric bumps 110. These bumps are soft by add texture to the pillow. An infant is encouraged by the texturing to have a tactile experience with the pillow during use. In addition, the fabric bumps 110 and 111I create a small gap next to the infant, allowing some air flow to be provided near the infant's arms during use, resulting in a more comfortable experience for the infant.
Pillow 101 illustrates the construction of the apparatus in an embodiment. The pillow includes an inner member 109 which may be a fabric covered foam insert that defines the shape and density of the pillow. In one embodiment, the inner member 109 may be filled with buckwheat to provide its shape. The outer layer 107 is a bag like member that receives the inner member 109. The bag may then be folded closed with extra material, so there is no need for rigid fasteners such as zippers, snaps, or buttons that could irritate or harm the infant. The inner member 109 may be a single L-shaped member that coincides with the outer layer 107 in one embodiment. In one embodiment the inner member may be comprised of two separate members, one for short arm 103 and one for the long arm 105. The inner member 109 can be easily removed and the outer layer 107 can be washed when needed, and then the inner member can be reinserted for continued use. In one embodiment the inner member 109 is not washable and in one embodiment the inner member 109 is washable.
The pillows 101 and 102 can be used to define a sleep area for an infant and may be used in the manner shown in
Referring now to
When sleeping, it is advantageous for the infant to sleep on its back, for the reasons noted above. However, when awake, it is often desired to provide “tummy time” for the infant. Tummy time is when the infant lies on its tummy with its weight on the forearms. Tummy time build strength in the head, neck, and upper body and is an important part of infant development. In addition, tummy time can help ameliorate or reduce positional plagiocephaly and/or brachycephaly.
One of the ways to assist the infant during tummy time is the use of a pillow to prop the infant up, typically after the infant gains more head control. In the prior art there are special pillows available for tummy time. An advantage of the present apparatus is that it may be arranged to serve dual purpose as a sleep bolster and as a tummy time pillow.
In one embodiment, as shown in
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a first pillow comprising a first long arm and a first short arm disposed at approximately a right angle to the first long arm;
- a second pillow comprising a second long arm and a second short arm disposed at approximately a right angle to the second long arm.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including compartments disposed in the first long arm and the second long arm.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each compartment includes a fastening means so that the first pillow may be removably coupled to the second pillow.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 26, 2018
Publication Date: Apr 30, 2020
Inventor: Betty Levy (Encino, CA)
Application Number: 16/172,613