Nursing garment

Abstract

A nursing garment for wearing when breastfeeding an infant, the garment comprising a first garment layer having a front surface that leaves breasts uncovered when worn, a second garment layer connected to the first garment layer, the second garment layer overlying at least a portion of the first garment layer and covering breasts when worn, and at least one support member moveable between a non-breastfeeding position and a breastfeeding position.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of co-pending United Kingdom Intellectual Property Patent Office Patent Application No. GB 1506242.5, filed on Apr. 13, 2015, entitled “NURSING GARMENT”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a nursing garment, and more particularly to a nursing garment for breastfeeding an infant in public.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0003]Breastfeeding is a natural way for a mother to feed her child during the first months of its life. Some mothers choose to bottle-feed their babies, either using breast milk collected via a breast pump (which can be impersonal and uncomfortable) or using so-called ‘formula’ milk. However, whilst it is socially acceptable to bottle-feed a baby in public, it is often considered much less socially acceptable to breastfeed in public. Babies need to be fed often, and if a moth...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a garment that allows breastfeeding to be done in a discreet way, while still maintaining the mother's modesty. The garment can be easily used as a conventional top and doesn't require any additional devices or materials. It also has an internal chamber that is deep enough to provide space for the baby to comfortably suckle. The maximum depth of the chamber can accommodate a larger baby without being too apparent. This garment reduces stress, embarrassment and inconvenience associated with breastfeeding in public places.

Problems solved by technology

Some mothers choose to bottle-feed their babies, either using breast milk collected via a breast pump (which can be impersonal and uncomfortable) or using so-called ‘formula’ milk.

However, whilst it is socially acceptable to bottle-feed a baby in public, it is often considered much less socially acceptable to breastfeed in public.

Babies need to be fed often, and if a mother is away from home with her baby, it can therefore be difficult and stressful to find a place to breastfeed discreetly, without drawing unwanted attention.

Currently, several options are available to mothers who wish to breastfeed when not at home, but all have drawbacks.

Washrooms (or baby changing areas, if available) offer a secluded space to breastfeed, but these are typically unhygienic.

Alternatively, breastfeeding in a car may be private, but anti-social if the mother and baby must return frequently, interrupting a day trip, for example.

However, these still leave the mother's breast(s) or midriff publicly exposed, even if temporarily, which may be embarrassing and draw unwanted attention, and some of these options can be restrictive to the baby, causing distress.

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