APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING AN INFANT
An apparatus for soothing an infant, including: a torso support for supporting the torso of an infant in a prone position, the torso support being at an incline to a horizontal plane and having a crotch support provided at a lower end; and securing means for securing the infant to the apparatus, wherein the torso support is shaped to allow the legs of the infant to hang freely from either side of the torso support, and to support the infant's arms.
The present invention relates to devices for supporting infants, particularly for soothing crying infants.
BACKGROUNDThe crying of infants can be a distressing experience for parents and caregivers, particularly inexperienced parents and caregivers. In the case of excessive crying, often termed “colic”, parents may spend the first year of the child's life waking up to attend to the needs of the infant, leading to sleep deprivation which is understood to increase the risk of depression and anxiety in primary caregivers.
In particular, excessive crying can lead to intense fatigue, relationship stress, decreased job performance and reduced gratification, isolation from friends and family, inconsolable crying, and personal insecurities. It is important that all parents and caregivers be provided with tools to sooth an infant that cries excessively, particularly as it is estimated that up to 45% of all new moms suffer from PPD (Post-Partum Depression). Excessive crying has previously led to distressed caregivers harming infants, with many cases of SBS (shaken baby syndrome) occurring worldwide every year.
Multiple techniques for soothing infants exist and are generally based on principles including swaddling, gentle swinging and placing the infant on its side or stomach. In one example, a simple and popular technique referred to as “the hold” combines some of these principles, in which an infant is held by an adult in front of the adult's body. One hand of the adult supports the infant's torso region with the palm and the chin of the infant is supported by the thumb and fingers of the same hand. The arms of the infant are crossed in front of the chest and also held in place by the palm of the adult. The other hand is used to support and gently shake the infant's bottom with the infant's legs hanging either side of the hand, while both hands are used to also gently bounce or sway the infant's entire body.
This technique, while reportedly very successful, can become excessively tiring for the adult holding the infant, as it is held away from the body and the technique may need to be performed for an extended period of time or many times within a day. This is particularly problematic as the infant grows in size and strength so that it is difficult to maintain the hold effectively.
The described embodiments of the present invention have been developed with these problems in mind and seek to provide an apparatus for supporting an infant that quickly stops crying and relieves the physical demands placed on the person holding the infant.
In addition to quickly stopping an infant from crying, other advantages of embodiments of the present invention can include providing a convenient support to allow a caregiver opportunity to perform an extra task like preparing food (an extra pair of hands), preventing acid reflux, relieving wind, allowing airways to relax, preventing startling and reducing flat head syndrome. Embodiments of the invention can also allow the infant to engage with the environment around it. For example, the mother or father can be in front of the infant while it is secured in the device, which provides a further element of soothing for the infant. In some embodiments, an entertainment bar or equivalent structure can be included in the apparatus, having toys or other amusements in view of the infant.
SUMMARYAccording to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for soothing an infant, comprising: a torso support for supporting the torso of an infant in a prone position, the torso support being at an incline to a horizontal plane and having a crotch support provided at a lower end; and securing means for securing the infant to the apparatus, wherein the torso support is shaped to allow the legs of the infant to hang freely from either side of the torso support, and to support the infant's arms.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for soothing an infant, comprising:
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- a torso support for supporting the torso of an infant in a prone position, the torso support being at an incline to a horizontal planar member and having a crotch support provided at a lower end and a head support provided at an upper end; and
- lateral constraining portions which are movable between an extended position for placing or removing the infant and a retracted position for substantially embracing a shoulder region of the infant once placed and containing the arms of the infant within the apparatus,
- wherein the torso support is shaped to allow the legs of the infant to hang freely from either side of the torso support.
There is also disclosed herein an apparatus for soothing an infant comprising a sling, the sling being shaped to perform the functions of:
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- a torso support for supporting the torso of an infant in a prone position, the torso support being at an incline to a horizontal plane and having a crotch support provided at a lower end and being shaped to allow the legs of the infant to hang freely from either side of the torso support; and
- lateral constraining portions which are movable between an extended position for placing or removing the infant and a retracted position for containing the arms of the infant within the apparatus.
In order that the invention may be more easily understood, an embodiment will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
As shown in
The apparatus 10 has lateral constraining portions 7 which serve the purpose of both securing the infant so that it does not tip backwards out of the apparatus 10 and of soothing the infant by mimicking a form of swaddling, a technique that is well known and practised. In use, the infant is preferably placed in the prone position with its arms crossed in front of its chest, though the infant may also have their arms extending along their sides or upwardly beside their head. As shown in
The apparatus 10 may be supported above the floor by means of a mounting element 9. As shown in
Preferably, since the mounting element 109 can be formed of a single sheet of bent plywood or other resilient material, the mounting element 109 inherently has properties allowing bouncing and/or rocking. This can be initiated for example by a rigid foot rocker 115, which can optionally be pulled out from the apparatus along axis C and withdrawn when not in use. In
As seen in
It is envisaged that the length of the straps 337, 339, 341 used to constrain the infant are adjustable so as to fit snugly over infants of different sizes. The snug fit of the straps across the infant's body can also soothe the infant by mimicking a form of swaddling. To provide adjustability, a forward portion of the harness 335 is movable forwardly and rearward along the torso support 301. This is achieved by providing piping 302 on the torso support, along which a slider 338, as illustrated in
The placement and positioning of infants in embodiments of the present invention can have other benefits, including reducing acid reflux, relieving wind, relaxing the airways, reducing the likelihood of flat head syndrome and building upper body strength. Supporting the infant in the apparatus also frees up one's hands which can be used to further comfort and sooth the infant.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments.
For example, the general functions of the individual components of the apparatuses shown in earlier figures could be performed by a single sling. The sling would need to be made of a material that is sufficiently strong to secure and suspend an infant above the ground, and that can be easily flexed to allow placement and removal of the infant but when the infant is placed and so that, the weight of the infant pulls the sling material taut, such that it exerts a comforting pressure on the chest and belly region of the infant and also constrains the arms of the infant. Such embodiments could also allow the legs of the infant to hang freely, which may achieved by holes provided in the sling. In such an embodiment, the sling could be hung from a mounting element having a curved, overhanging portion formed by two parallel frame poles formed of resilient material. The frame poles could be held together by attachment to either side of the sling which is hung between them. However, other constructions may be possible, for example having a unitary planar member of resilient material bent into the required form. In such an embodiment, the two sides of the sling could hang from a central region of the overhanging part of the planar member or be hung across the upper surface of the planar member. The mounting element could also comprise a horizontal base portion. There may be a further portion extending upward from the front end of the horizontal base portion. In an embodiment comprising two parallel frame poles, the frame poles can be connected by a bar serving to maintain the structure of the overall mount and additionally can support objects such as toys for entertainment of the infant. In use, the infant may be first swaddled in a swaddling insert before being placed in the sling. The swaddling insert may be a pre-formed insert which can be pulled over the body of an infant or it may be simply a blanket which can be wrapped in a standard swaddling manner.
Furthermore, the above embodiments may be fitted with many additional features, such as those providing vibrations, white noise and/or automatic swaying.
Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.
The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.
Claims
1-18. (canceled)
19. An apparatus for soothing an infant, comprising:
- a torso support for supporting the torso of an infant in a prone position, the torso support being at an incline to a horizontal plane and having a crotch support provided at a lower end; and
- securing means for securing the infant to the apparatus,
- wherein the torso support is shaped to allow the legs of the infant to hang freely from either side of the torso support, and shaped to support the infant in a position with their arms crossed in front of their chest, the torso support also being cushioned to receive the infant's arms in the crossed position.
20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the torso support is formed of a cushioned material that is sufficiently firm such that a baby will not sink excessively when its arms are extended sidewardly.
21. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the torso support includes a head support formed of a breathable material.
22. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the securing means includes a harness for strapping the infant to the torso support.
23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein a rearward part of the harness is secured to the torso support near the crotch support and a forward part of the harness is adjustably secured to a forward part of the torso support at a location which is movable forwardly and rearwardly along the torso support.
24. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein a forward part of the harness is provided with a locking slider adapted to selectively move along piping formed on the torso support.
25. The apparatus according to claim 19, in conjunction with a mounting element for supporting or suspending the apparatus above the ground, the mounting element being formed of a resilient material to allow a rocking or bouncing action of the apparatus.
26. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the apparatus and/or the mounting element is provided with at least one activating member for manually activating rocking or bouncing.
27. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein one of the at least one activating members comprises a foot pedal.
28. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the apparatus is provided with a motor for activating rocking or bouncing.
29. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the crotch support is formed as an upwardly projecting portion from the lower end of the torso support.
30. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the securing means is in the form of a harness extending from the lower end of the torso support and substantially covers the back of the infant, the harness having sides which are securable to corresponding sides of the torso support.
31. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the sides of the harness are secured to the corresponding sides of the torso support by Velcro® hook and loop fastener material.
32. An apparatus for soothing an infant, comprising:
- a torso support for supporting the torso of an infant in a prone position, the torso support being at an incline to a horizontal plane and having a crotch support provided at a lower end and a head support provided at an upper end; and
- lateral constraining portions which are movable between an extended position for placing or removing the infant and a retracted position for substantially embracing a shoulder region of the infant once placed and containing the arms of the infant within the apparatus,
- wherein the torso support is shaped to allow the legs of the infant to hang freely from either side of the torso support, and shaped to support the infant in a position with their arms crossed in front of their chest.
33. The apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the lateral constraining portions are in the form of wings that attach to either side of the torso support and are moved between the extended position and the retracted position by means of hinges.
34. The apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the lateral constraining portions are in the form of wings that attach to either side of the torso support and are moved between the extended position and the retracted position by means of a spring-loaded and locking mechanism.
35. The apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the head support is adjustable.
36. The apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a bar to which objects can be attached for entertaining or distracting the infant, the bar being suspended in front of the torso support.
37. The apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising an attachment for attaching the apparatus to an existing structure.
38. A method of soothing an infant, including the steps of:
- providing an apparatus having a torso support for supporting the torso of an infant in a prone position and securing means for securing the infant to the apparatus, the torso support being at an incline to a horizontal plane and having a crotch support provided at a lower end, the torso support being shaped to allow the legs of the infant to hang freely from either side of the torso support and shaped to support the infant in a position with their arms crossed in front of their chest, the torso support also being cushioned to receive the infant's arms in the crossed position; and
- positioning an infant on the support in a prone position with their arms crossed in front of their chest.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 24, 2017
Publication Date: Sep 5, 2019
Inventors: Baptiste John DESCAMPS (Balaclava, Victoria), Lee BAKER (Richmond, Victoria), Michelle ROSEVEAR (Richmond, Victoria), Ryan MISCHKULNIG (Richmond, Victoria)
Application Number: 16/344,287