A device for breastfeeding or bottle-feeding an infant.

Abstract

A cushion designed to facilitate breastfeeding or bottle-feeding an infant while avoiding the fatigue or pain associated with holding the baby during feeding. The invention relates to an oblong cushion that the user places on their hip and thighs so that the infant can be positioned in the hollow between the cushion and the user's abdomen. Furthermore, each end of the cushion is equipped with a locking mechanism to prevent slippage and eliminate the need for the user to exert any effort to support it. The device thus consists of an oblong cushion (1), made up of two sections separated by a seam (5), which is placed on the user's hip and thighs.This cushion has at one end a fabric tab (2) that is placed under the buttocks or behind the back, and at its other end, a loop (4) through which an adjustable shoulder strap (3) passes. This shoulder strap forms a ring that goes around the user's back and fastens around the shoulder opposite the side chosen for breastfeeding, with the arm passing through it. The device according to the invention is particularly designed to prevent fatigue or pain associated with carrying the baby during breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. The device has the advantage of being compact and can be used without needing to lean back. See Fig. 4 for abbreviations.

Description

Title of the invention: Device for breastfeeding or bottle-feeding an infant.

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for breastfeeding or bottle-feeding an infant while avoiding the fatigue or pain associated with carrying the baby. It is particularly suitable for breastfeeding mothers but can also be used by a third party to bottle-feed an infant. This portable and compact device can be used without needing to lean back.

[0002] The solutions offered under the name "nursing pillow" are generally bulky and offer poor comfort for both the baby and the mother.

[0003] It is also well established that many breastfeeding failures are due to discomfort in the mother, this discomfort causing muscle tension often accompanied by pain in the arms, shoulders, and back. This muscle tension causes a narrowing of the milk ducts and makes sucking more difficult for the baby. The solutions offered generally do not take into account this important need for relaxation, particularly for the arm on the side of the breast being nursed, which should be completely relaxed.

[0004] The device according to the invention makes it possible to remedy these drawbacks.

[0005] It comprises, in fact, according to a first characteristic, an oblong-shaped cushion provided at one end with a fabric tongue and at its other end with a shoulder strap.

[0006] In use, with the user seated, the device is intended to be used in the following manner:

[0007] The cushion is placed on the hip and thighs, providing support for the baby.

[0008] The fabric tongue is placed under the buttocks, legs or back of the user.

[0009] The shoulder strap goes over the user's back and hooks around the shoulder opposite to the side chosen for breastfeeding.

[0010] The fabric tongue and the shoulder strap thus fulfill a function of attachment points ensuring that the cushion is held at each of its ends and avoiding the effort of carrying the infant for the user.

[0011] It is thanks to this double fastening system that the user can benefit from complete arm relaxation. The baby is held effortlessly against the user and without risk of falling.

[0012] To optimize the support of the infant, and this is a second characteristic, the cushion is composed of two adjoining sections, separated by a seam which creates a joint, so that its two sections can be manipulated to form an angle.

[0013] For ergonomic reasons, and this is a third characteristic, the cushion is closed at its boundary with the fabric flap by a seam inclined at 90° to the seam that creates the joint between the two sections of the cushion. This inclination gives the section adjacent to the fabric flap a so-called "triangular" shape, which creates a slope. This slope allows the infant's body to be slightly inclined so that their head is higher than their bottom during feeding.

[0014] To prevent the cushion from slipping, and this is a fourth feature, the fabric tab is long enough to be folded under the user's buttocks or behind their back. Thus, pinched between the seat or backrest and the user's body, it secures the cushion on the side closest to the infant's feet.

[0015] It should be noted that the shoulder strap, and this is a fifth characteristic, by its adjustable length, allows the device to be adapted according to the morphology of the user and to adjust the useful length between the shoulder and the opposite hip where the end of the cushion is placed.

[0016] It should also be noted, and this is a sixth characteristic, that the cushion has at one end a loop which acts as an attachment point through which the shoulder strap passes. According to specific modes of implementation:

[0017] • The cushion can be made from different textiles: cottons, Synthetics, furs, leather. For reasons of comfort and ease of cleaning, natural cotton canvas is preferred. • The shoulder strap can be made from one or more pieces and from various materials: natural fiber (cotton, linen, hemp), synthetic fiber, elastic fiber, silk, rope, chain. For reasons of comfort and compatibility with the baby's skin, organic cotton is preferred. • The cushion can be filled with various materials: polyester fiber, foam padding, wadding, feathers, down, kapok, polyester fiberfill, polyester beads, synthetic fibers, polystyrene beads. Polyester fiber is preferred for reasons of comfort and ease of care. • The fabric flap can be attached to the cushion, or be a separate element that is then fixed to the end of the cushion. For reasons of strength, it is preferable that the fabric flap be an extension of the piece of fabric that makes up the cushion. • The loop through which the shoulder strap passes can be made in different ways: plastic ring, metal ring, piece of shoulder strap or a ribbon folded over itself and tucked into the cushion seam. Alternatively, the shoulder strap could be sewn directly into the cushion. To avoid using hard or potentially harmful materials (metal, plastic), a piece of cotton webbing folded over itself and tucked into the cushion seam is preferable. • The shoulder strap length can be adjusted using an adjustment buckle, quick-release buckle, loop, ring, cam buckle, or even Velcro. For ease of use, the standard adjustment buckle is preferred. The attached drawings illustrate the invention:

[0018] Fig. 1 represents the unused device.

[0019] Fig. 2 represents the device of the invention seen from the front in use.

[0020] Fig. 3 represents the device of the invention seen from the side in use.

[0021] Fig. 4 represents the device of the invention seen from the back in use.

[0022] Fig. 5 represents the device of the invention seen from the side in use.

[0023] With reference to these drawings, the device comprises an oblong cushion (1) with a fabric tab (2) at one end. The cushion has an attachment point at its other end, here a loop (4) through which passes a length-adjustable shoulder strap (3). The cushion itself is composed of two adjoining sections separated by a seam (5).

[0024] The length of the fabric tongue (2) is such that it allows the user to place it under the buttocks or in the back.

[0025] The length of the shoulder strap (3) is such that it allows the user to pass it behind his back and to hook it on the shoulder opposite to that of the breastfeed.

[0026] The separating seam (5) which divides the cushion into two sections makes it possible to create a joint so that its two sections can be manipulated to form a right angle.

[0027] The cushion (1) is closed at its boundary with the fabric strip (2), the closure being perpendicular to the seam (5) which creates the joint between the two sections of the cushion. In this way, the section of the cushion adjacent to the fabric strip takes on a so-called pyramid shape.

[0028] In use, to ensure the cushion and therefore the infant are held securely, the shoulder strap (3) passes behind the user's back and attaches to the arm opposite the breastfeeding arm. The fabric tab (2) is positioned under the user's buttocks or behind their back, so that the cushion (1) is held securely at both ends. The cushion cannot slip, and the infant is held between the cushion (1) and the user without the user needing to lean forward or exert any effort to support the infant with their arms.

[0029] The device according to the invention is particularly intended for breastfeeding or bottle-feeding an infant while avoiding the fatigue or pain associated with carrying the baby. It is particularly suitable for breastfeeding mothers but can also be used by a third party to bottle-feed an infant. This portable and compact device can be used without needing to lean back.

[0030] The device according to the invention is particularly suitable for parents of infants who are looking for a compact, easily transportable nursing pillow that does not require any special environment to be used.

Claims

Demands

1. Device for breastfeeding or bottle-feeding an infant characterized in that it comprises an oblong cushion (1) provided at one end with a fabric tongue (2) and at its other end with a shoulder strap (3).

2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the part called oblong cushion (1) provides a support function for the baby which is itself divided into two adjoining sections, separated by a seam (5) which creates a joint, so that its two sections can be manipulated to form an angle.

3. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the part called fabric tongue (2) has sufficient length to be slipped behind the back or under the buttocks of the user.

4. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the part called shoulder strap (3) has a length enabling the user to pass it behind his back and to hook it on the shoulder opposite to that of the breast.

5. Device according to claim 4 characterized in that the part called shoulder strap (3) is provided with an adjustment device which allows its length to be adapted according to the morphology of the user.

6. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that a loop is located at one end of the cushion (1) and acts as an attachment point through which the shoulder strap (3) passes.

7. Device according to claim 2 characterized in that the part called cushion (1) is closed, at its border with the fabric tongue (2), by a seam inclined at 90° to the seam (5) which creates the articulation between the two sections of the cushion (1) giving the section thus closed a so-called berlingot shape which makes it possible to create a slope.

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