A breastfeeding support

Abstract

A breastfeeding support comprising an elongate body positionable beneath a breast such that the breast is supported for breastfeeding.

Description

A BREASTFEEDING SUPPORTTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a breastfeeding support, a kit of parts for breastfeeding, a method of manufacturing a breastfeeding support, and a method of supporting a breast for breastfeeding.BACKGROUND

[0002] For many new mothers, breastfeeding is a requirement multiple times a day, sometimes even hourly, for at least the first 6 to around 24 months following childbirth. Breastfeeding requires a mother to sit and support both their breast and the child for up to around one hour each feed, and, accordingly, regular and / or repetitive breastfeeding can result in neck, back and arm pain. Furthermore, incorrect positioning of the child or the breast during feeding can lead to ineffective feeds, additional soreness and pain, especially muscular pain particularly in the mother's back, shoulders and neck, and other issues such as mastitis and carpel tunnel syndrome, for the mother.

[0003] When breastfeeding, many mothers experience discomfort and / or pain when attempting to position the child and their breast relative to the child. Little is available in the way of aids or supports for mothers. Conventionally, mothers must hold and manually position their breast so that the child can latch onto the nipple to begin feeding. With feeding times often as long as one hour, this can cause unwanted stress and aching for mothers. Furthermore, manually positioning the breast can sometimes interfere with the child and thus prevent latching, and new mothers must quickly learn how to breastfeed to avoid even further pain from feeding durations being artificially extended by accidentally preventing latching. The stresses and pain involved in feeding are only amplified when feeding newborns, and / or when the mother has undergone a particularly long and / or painful childbirth - including for children born via caesarean section, for example.

[0004] Previous devices for assisting breastfeeding typically focus on supporting the child, but provide no support or assistance to the breast. For example, conventional breastfeeding pillows are used to wrap around the mothers body such that a child placed thereatop is held higher and closer to the breast. However, such pillows do not provide support to the breast, nor assist in positioning the breast closer to the child or in a position which is less likely to cause the aforementioned pain, soreness and / or medical conditions.

[0005] The present invention was conceived with the above shortcomings and problems of breastfeeding in mind, and aims to provide the public, particularly breastfeeding mothers, with a useful breastfeeding support.SUMMARY

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a breastfeeding support comprising an elongate body positionable beneath a breast such that the breast is supported for breastfeeding.

[0007] Advantageously, when such a support is placed in position, it provides the user with continuous support to their breast during breastfeeding, without a requirement to manually support their breast. The support disclosed herein ensures correct positioning of the child and breast during breastfeeding, and thereby reduces the likelihood of soreness, pain or other issues from occurring - even where breastfeeding is undertaken for particularly long period or in particularly regular intervals.

[0008] The invention also provides a breastfeeding support, comprising a body having the shape of a cylinder of revolution and having a longitudinal axis, the body being formed of resiliently deformable material and being capable of resilient deflection about said longitudinal axis and being capable of resilient deflection radially relative to said longitudinal axis whereby the body can conform, in use, at least in part to the space between the chest and underside of a breast of a user of the support.

[0009] The invention also provides a breastfeeding support comprising a generally cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis, the body being formed of resilient material, wherein: the length (L) of the body is in the range of 130mm to 150mm, preferably being 140mm; the diameter (D) of the body is in the range of 35mm to 70mm; and the ratio L:D is in the range of 2 to 2.5.

[0010] The invention also provides a breastfeeding support comprising a generally cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis, the body being formed of resilient material, wherein: the body is waisted and has a maximum diameter Di at or adjacent to its ends and a minimum diameter D2 at or adjacent to its centre; and the ratio D D2 is in the range of 1.5 to 1.05.

[0011] In some embodiments, the elongate body is shaped substantially as a cylinder. The support may be configured for positioning beneath the breast and against a chest of a user, such that, when supported, a nipple of the breast is held upright relative to the chest of the user. The body may comprise a frictive outer surface for retaining the cylinder in position, such that the support is prevented from falling by friction against the breast (and the chest). The frictive outer surface may be a silicone surface. The body may be formed from a self-skinning foam and the skin of the foam comprises the frictive or high friction outer surface. The body may be formed from a closed cell foam. When in position, the cylinder may elastically and resiliently deform to support the breast. The body may have a Shore A hardness of about 52. A width of the body may reduce toward a central portion of the support. Ends of the body may be rounded. The body may comprise a length of between about 130mm and about 150mm, and a diameter of between about 35mm and about 70mm.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit of parts for breastfeeding, comprising at least two supports as described above, wherein each support includes a body having a different width, such that the kit includes a range of support sizes.

[0013] In some embodiments, the kit of parts comprises three supports, and each support includes a body having a different width. Each support may comprise an indicator disposed at an end of the body, the indicator for indicating a size of the support. Each support may have a different width may be a different colour to differentiate the supports. A support may be selectable for use by matching a body width to a breast size and / or an unsupported nipple position.

[0014] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a breastfeeding support, comprising: disposing a self-skinning mixture into an elongate body mould; activating the mixture to cause the mixture to expand within (and substantially fill) the mould; and curing the expanded mixture in the mould to thereby form an elongate body with a frictive outer surface (skin), the elongate body configured for positioning beneath a breast such that the breast is supported for breastfeeding.

[0015] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of supporting a breast for breastfeeding, using a support as described above, the methodcomprising the steps of: positioning the support beneath the breast; commencing breastfeeding.

[0016] In some embodiments, the method further comprises replacing the support with a different sized support as a size of the breast varies.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Figure 1 is a perspective view drawing of a breastfeeding support in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;Figure 2 is side view drawing of the support shown in Figure 1;Figure 3 is a schematic view of the support shown in Figure 1 , in use;Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view along line A-A of the support shown in Figure 2;Figure 5 is a perspective view drawing of a kit of parts for breastfeeding in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;Figure 6 is an underside view of the support shown in Figure 1;Figure 7 is a plan view of the support shown in Figure 1;Figure 8 is a flowchart showing a method of manufacturing a breastfeeding support in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; andFigure 9 is a flowchart showing a method of supporting a breast for breastfeeding in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] In the following detailed description, reference is made to accompanying drawings which form a part of the detailed description. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the drawings may be arranged, substituted, combined, separated and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated in this disclosure.

[0019] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art towhich this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, a limited number of the example methods and materials are described herein.

[0020] In general terms, the invention shown in the Figures comprises a breastfeeding support 100 comprising an elongate body 10 positionable beneath a breast 60 such that the breast 60 is supported for breastfeeding. Advantageously, the support 100 lifts the breast 60 upwardly from the chest 70 of the user, and thus allows a child to more easily latch onto the breast 60 for breastfeeding, resulting in a more comfortable positioning for the user where the user does not have to manually support their breast 60, and thus reducing the potential for injury or strain even during prolonged or repeat feedings.

[0021] Figures 1 and 2 show an elongate body 10 shaped substantially as a cylinder, in particular a cylinder or circular cross-section and having a longitudinal axis 11 as shown in Figure 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 10 is waisted and can be described as a cylinder of revolution. Preferably, the body 10 has a shape with no sharp edges resulting in a support 100 which is comfortable when used irrespective of its orientation / rotational position relative the breast 60 and chest 70 of the user.

[0022] As can best be seen in Figure 2, a width of the body 10 reduces toward a central portion 12 of the support 100, providing the body 10 with an approximate hourglass shape, with the central portion 12 of the elongate body 10 is the portion having the smallest width / diameter, and the outer portions 14 equally have the largest width / diameter. It is configured that the transition between the widths / diameters of the central portion 12 and each outer portion 14 will have a radius of between about 0.5m and about 1.4m. The shape provided by such a central portion 12 allows the support 100, when used, to be complementary to a variety of breast 60 shapes and sizes, as the support 100 is intended to be positioned transversely beneath the breast 60. Accordingly, where the width of the body 10 reduces towards this central portion 12, the comfort and support provided by the body is improved when compared against a support having a constant width. Ends 16 of the body 10 are preferably rounded (i.e. , filleted or chamfered), such that the ends 16 do not present sharp edges (for the purposes described above), when seen in side view. In the preferred embodiments, the length of the support 100 is in the range of about 130mm to about 150mm, preferably being about 140mm. The maximum diameter, referring to the largest diameter along the length of the support ('D1'), is preferably in the range of about40mm to about 70mm. The minimum diameter, referring to the smallest diameter along the length of the support ('D2'), is preferably in the range of 35mm to 65mm. While the specific sizes of the support 100 can vary without departure from the invention, it is contemplated that, in order to provide the approximate hourglass shape as described, the ratio between the maximum and minimum diameter, i.e., D1 :D2, is in the range of about 1.15:1 to about 1.05:1.

[0023] Turning now to Figure 3, which shows a support 100 in use, it is understood that the support is configured for positioning beneath the breast 60 and against a chest 70 of a user, such that, when supported, a nipple 80 of the breast 60 is directed generally upwardly relative to the chest 70 of the user. What is meant by this is that, to use the support 100, a user may position the body 10 beneath either of their breasts 60 (frictionally engaging both the underside of the breast 60 and the adjacent part of the chest 70). Positioning the support 100 in this way causes the breast 60 to become spaced and / or angled relative the chest 70, and therefore positions the nipple 80 oriented generally upwardly relative to the chest 70 rather than downwardly in an unsupported nipple position. Therefore, when in use, the support 100 causes the nipple 80 to extend substantially perpendicularly to the chest 70 of the user such that the nipple 80 is positioned horizontally (at a 0° angle from the horizontal) from the user for ease of 'latching' by the child. When commencing breastfeeding, the child must latch onto the nipple 80. Accordingly, positioning of the support 100 as described removes the need to manually pull the breast 60 upwards to provide easy access to the nipple 80 for the child. Positioning the support 100 in this way additionally helps to retain the nipple 80 in such a position, whereby the user does not have to retain their hand as a support on their breast 60 for any of the feeding period.

[0024] Seen in Figure 4, the body 10 is not completely solid, and is configured to elastically and resiliently deform under the weight / pressure of the breast 60, thus conforming somewhat to the shape of the breast 60 to provide comfort to the user of the support 100, while remaining positioned in such a way as to support the breast 60 for breastfeeding. The body 10 is optionally able to elastically deform radially inwardly and along its longitudinal axis. Preferred embodiments of the support 100 have an elongation percentage, being the percentage of elongation possible before failure, of about 400%. This ability to elastically deform is additionally useful during positioning of the support 100, as it allows the support 100 to deform where it contacts the skin adjacent to a rib, forexample, thus providing comfort to the user. Preferably, the body 10 is formed from a closed cell foam. The foam preferably has a lesser porosity toward the outer surface 18, but towards the inner core 24 of the body 10 includes a greater porosity in the form of a large portion of pockets of gas / air (i.e. , a microcellular foam core). The lower porosity outer surface 18 therefore retains the skin-like material providing for frictionally engagement with the breast 60, in use, while the inner core's 24 greater porosity thereby assist the material to deform by taking up the space of the pockets / porosity during deformation. Preferably, the foam is a foam having a Shore A hardness of between about about 50 and 54, most preferably of about 52. On average, the inner core 24 has a density of about 104kg / m3to 165kg / m3. It is contemplated that the outer surface 18 has a density greater than the inner portion, preferably being more than about 165kg / m3. The support 100 preferably has a tensile strength of about 8.5 MPa, and a tear strength of about 24 kN / m. Exemplary embodiments of the support 100 have a weight of between about 90 grams and about 200 grams. Advantageously, providing a support 100 of such a weight, being a relatively low weight, assists in the support 100 frictionally engaging the underside of the breast 60 and the adjacent part of the chest 70, and ensures the support 100 is not overly cumbersome to transport and / or pick up.

[0025] Preferably, the body is formed from a self-skinning (i.e., integral skin) foam and the skin of the foam comprises the outer surface 18 which inherently or automatically forms a defined outer surface 18 having less porosity than the inner core 24 during curing, as will be described in more detail below.

[0026] Inclusion of such an outer surface 18, being one formed from a selfskinning foam or otherwise, provides an important advantage to the invention. In particular, the outer surface 18, by virtue of its lesser porosity, will be impervious to water ingress (into the interior or internal surface 24 of the body 10), and thus allow the support 100 to become wet and to be easily cleaned with water or other cleaning products before being wiped dry (unlike breastfeeding pillows which, when soiled, must have an outer cover removed, washed, and hang-dried before reuse).

[0027] The outer surface 18 provides a frictive outer surface 18, having a relatively high friction surface. The frictive outer surface 18 assist in retaining the body 10 in position, such that the support 100 is substantially prevented from falling, under gravity. In a preferred embodiment, the body 10 is moulded from silicone and its outer surface 18 has relatively high friction, i.e., high degree of 'surface tack'. The frictive outer surface 18 willbe formed so as to have a static coefficient of friction (COF) of about 1 .0. It is understood that the COF of the support 100 may vary dependent on environmental factors, such as, for example, the temperature of the support 100. In particular, preferred embodiments comprise flexible silicone rubber, such as, for example, Xiameter branded silicone rubber, in particular Xiameter RBB-2881-50 silicone rubber. It is understood that the surface 18 may also be made from another form of self-skinning material, such as, for example, a polyurethane foam, or be provided as an additional layer added to the body 10, such as, for example, a rubber or other elastomeric coating. An additional benefit is provided by the use of a silicone material frictive outer surface 18, however, being that such a material has a relatively large heat tolerance and can therefore be washed in a variety of ways, including by using boiling water, steriliser, a washing machine and / or dishwasher, safely.

[0028] Also disclosed herein is a kit 200 for breastfeeding, as shown in Figure 5. The kit 200 comprises at least two supports, and may comprise three supports 202, 204, 206, each of the supports of different widths and or length, but of generally the same shape. The Applicant's testing has determined that it is desirable to provide at least two different sized supports 100 in an exemplary kit 200, however, it is understood that the kit 200 need not include supports 100 of different sizes, and may instead include multiples of a same size support 100, to be used, for example, as spares for breastfeeding two children using two breasts 60 (at the same time). Shown in Figure 5, the kit 200 includes a small 202, medium 204, and large 206 sized support (seen in order from right to left in the Figure). It can be seen that the large sized support 206 includes a maximum diameter D1 of about 70mm, a minimum diameter D2 of about 65mm, a length of about 140mm, and a weight of about 195 grams. The medium sized support 204 includes a maximum diameter D1 of about 55mm, a minimum diameter D2 of about 50mm, a length of about 140mm, and a weight of about 150 grams. Finally, the small sized support 202 includes a maximum diameter D1 of about 40mm, a minimum diameter D2 of about 35mm, a length of about 140mm, and a weight of about 95 grams. It is understood that other size ranges for the kit 200 are possible, or as may be suited to different breast sizes 60. It is advantageous that the supports 202, 204, 206 in the kit 200 be available in different sizes such that a support can be selected as appropriate for the size of the breast 60, together with the unsupported nipple 80 position, for which it is to support. For example, a user may select the size of support 202, 204, 206 required be referencing an existing brassiere ('bra') cup size corresponding to their breast 60, and to an unsupported nipple 80 position, such as the angle relative a 0° horizontal reference angle of their unsupported nipple 80. For examplethe Applicant has determined that for a bra cup size of C, and an unsupported nipple 80 position of 40°-60° downwards (from the horizontal), a user should select a small sized support 202. Alternatively, for a bra cup size of G, and an unsupported nipple position of 70°-90° downwards (from the horizontal), a user should select a large sized support 206.

[0029] The supports 202, 204, 206 may include an indicator 20 disposed at an end 16 of their respective bodies 10. Looking to Figure 6, an indicator 20 comprising an indicative 'M' can be seen embossed into the end 16 of the body 10 of the support 204, the 'M' representing a medium-sized support 204. By disposing the indicator 20 in such a position, it does not interfere with the comfort or support provided by the support 100. A user may select a support 202, 204, 206 based on the size of that user's breast or breasts 60 and / or based on the unsupported nipple 80 position. This is particularly advantageous as it allows every potential user of the kit 200 to purchase a single kit 200, and simply use the support 100 therein that corresponds to their breast 60 size, without the requirement for fitting or trialling prior to purchase. Furthermore, it is known that the size of a user's breast 60 can vary during a breastfeeding session as milk is taken from the breast and / or until the child is weaned, and can vary between different births / children. Accordingly, providing a kit 200 with multiple different sized supports 202, 204, 206 means that users can continue to use the same kit 200 for the entirety of their breastfeeding journey by simply swapping out supports as their breast 60 size changes. It is contemplated that a typical user may require only a single support 100, or a kit 200 including only 2 differently sized support, such as, for example, a small sized support 202 and a medium sized support 204, or a medium sized support 204 and a large sized support 206. In particular, a typical user may only require adjacent sized supports to account for the change in breast size 60. Other users, however, may require a kit 200 with all three sized supports 202, 204, 206 or even further additionally different sized supports.

[0030] Also, the supports 202, 204, 206 can be moulded in different colours for ease of identification (i.e. , are coloured relative to their size). For example, in exemplary embodiments, the small sized support 202 may be coloured in a magenta or medium red violet colour such as Pantone 248 C (Hex #a5228a). The medium sized support 204 may be coloured in a greenish blue colour such as Pantone 324 C (Hex #98d2d3). The large sized-support 206 may be coloured in a purple colour such as Pantone 528 C (Hex #b58ad0). Preferably, where the supports 202, 204, 206 are formed from silicone rubber, the silicone rubber is one which can be pigmented to obtain the desired colouring.

[0031] Turning now to Figure 7, branding 22 can be seen disposed at the end 16 of the body 10 opposite the indicator 20. Similar to the indicator 20, the branding 22 is positioned in such a location in order to not interfere with the comfort or support provided by the support 100. The branding 22 may serve the purpose of identifying the manufacturer or retailer of the support 100. Alternatively, the branding 22 may indicate a user's name or initials in order to differentiate their support / s 100 from another's. This could be useful where the support 100 is used in a workplace or the like, and there is potential to multiple users of supports 100 sharing the same facilities.

[0032] A carry pouch or case (not shown) may be provided for the kit 200. The pouch or case may include a cleaning cloth for assisting in cleaning the supports. It is contemplated that the number of supports 100 provided in a kit 200 may vary, and may be selectable by the retailer of the kit 100, or by the customer or eventual user.

[0033] A method 300 of manufacturing a breastfeeding support 100 as described herein will now be described with reference to Figure 8. In a first disposing step 310, a self-skinning mixture is disposed into an elongate body mould. Preferably, the selfskinning mixture is a flexible silicone rubber self-skinning mixture, such as the Xiameter RBB-2881-50 silicone rubber mixture described above. It is understood that such a mixture includes two parts, and that these parts are preferably mixed together upon being disposed or poured into the mould, or immediately prior. What is meant by this is that the mixture is provided in a preferably liquid or liquid-like state, and is poured to fill a mould encompassing the desired shape of the body 10 of the support 100. It is particularly advantageous, in this step 310, to provide the body 10 substantially as a cylinder, being that a cylinder provide an increased ease of manufacture, and thus reduced costs during manufacture of the supports 100. Preferably, the mould is a closed mould, being entirely enclosed except for one or more relatively small openings through which the uncured mixture can be poured. The mould may include multiple chamber or compartments corresponding to multiple supports, such that filling the single mould effectively manufactures multiple supports. The mixture is one which self-skins during curing, such as the self-skinning silicone foam described. In a second activating step 320, once the mould is filled with the mixture, the mixture is foamed or otherwise activated to begin the curing process thereof. This activation is preferably effected by the mixing of two parts of the mixture, but may be aided or effected solely by pressure and / or temperature within the mould. The activation of the mixture causes the mixture to expand within (and substantiallyfill) the mould. The activation step 320 is preferably completed in between about 1 to 3 hours. In particular, it is contemplated that the activation step 320 for a small sized support 202 will take about 4200 seconds, while the activation step 320 for medium and large sized supports 204, 206 will take about 6000 and 9000 seconds, respectively. In a third curing step 330, the expansion of the mixture in the mould forms an elongate body (in accordance with the shape of the mould), and, being a self-skinning mixture, skins to form a frictive outer surface 18 surrounding the remainder of the mixture. The curing temperature is preferably around about 200°C, but it is understood that the curing temperature may be varied to increase or decrease the thickness and / or friction of the frictive outer surface 18. Similarly, the curing time is typically around 3 hours, but the time may be varied to increase or decrease the thickness and / or friction of the frictive outer surface 18 of the support 100. At completion of curing, a support 100 as above can be removed from the mould.

[0034] A method 400 of supporting a breast 60 for breastfeeding, using a support 100 as described herein will now be described with reference to Figure 9. In a first positioning step 410, the support 100 is positioned beneath the breast 60 to which the child will latch. In the method, the support 100 is placed underneath the breast 60 and against the chest 70 of the user transversely such that as the breast 60 is relaxed it engages the support 100 to hold it in position, as shown in Figure 3. Once in position, the support 100 will tend to orient the nipple 80 upwardly relative to the chest 70 and thus allow for a child to easily access the nipple 80 for feeding. In a second breastfeeding step 420, breastfeeding can be commenced by allowing a child to latch onto the nipple 80 while the breast 60 is supported. Breastfeeding can then be completed without the requirement for the user to continually manually support their breast 60, and thus without pain or discomfort.

[0035] In an optional third replacing step 430, the support 100 can be removed from its operative position, and replaced with a different sized support 100. For instance, the medium support 204 may be replaced by the large support 206, as required during a breastfeeding session, or as required over a longer period as the size of the breast 60 changes.

[0036] Summarily, it is to be understood that the breastfeeding support 100 disclosed herein provides a number of advantages over existing devise for assisting breastfeeding. In particular, the support 100 disclosed is positionable beneath the breast60 and against the chest 70, such that a nipple 80 of the breast 60 is held upright relative to the chest 70 of the user, and the breast 60 is supported for breastfeeding, without the requirement for the user to manually support their breast 60. Furthermore, the support 100 is configured such that is includes frictive outer surface 18 allowing it to be retained by friction in position, and is made of a material that is substantially impervious to water and can be easily washed, including by machine washing, making it simple to use multiple times and requiring less effort to use than existing breastfeeding aids. Finally, the support 100 disclosed can be provided in a kit 200 of different sized supports 100, meaning that a support 100 can be selected to correspond with a breast 60 size and / or the unsupported nipple 80 position, making the support 100 and kit 200 versatile in use.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A breastfeeding support comprising an elongate body positionable beneath a breast such that the breast is supported for breastfeeding.

2. The support as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongate body is shaped substantially as a cylinder.

3. The support according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support is configured for positioning beneath the breast and against a chest of a user, such that, when supported, a nipple of the breast is held upright relative to the chest of the user.

4. The support according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the body comprises a frictive outer surface for retaining the body in position, such that the support is prevented from falling by friction against the breast.

5. The support according to claim 4, wherein the frictive outer surface is a silicone surface.

6. The support according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the body is formed from a selfskinning foam and the skin of the foam comprises the frictive outer surface.

7. The support according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body is formed from a closed cell foam.

8. The support according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, when in position, the body elastically deforms to support the breast.

9. The support according to claim 8, wherein the body has a Shore A hardness of about 52.

10. The support according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a width of the body reduces toward a central portion of the support.

11. The support according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein ends of the body are rounded.

12. The support according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body comprises a length of between about 130mm and about 150mm, and a diameter of between about 35mm and about 70mm.

13. A kit for breastfeeding, comprising at least two supports in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein each support includes a body having a different width, such that the kit includes a range of support sizes.

14. The kit according to claim 13, comprising three supports, wherein each support includes a body having a different width.

15. The kit according to claim 13 or 14, wherein each support comprises an indicator disposed at an end of the body, the indicator for indicating a size of the support.

16. The kit according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein each support having a different width is a different colour to differentiating the supports.

17. The kit according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein a support is selectable for use by matching a body width to a breast size and / or an unsupported nipple position.

18. A breastfeeding support, comprising a body having the shape of a cylinder of revolution and having a longitudinal axis, the body being formed of resiliently deformable material and being capable of resilient deflection about said longitudinal axis and being capable of resilient deflection radially relative to said longitudinal axis whereby the body can conform, in use, at least in part to the space between the chest and underside of a breast of a user of the support.

19. A breastfeeding support comprising a generally cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis, the body being formed of resilient material, wherein: the length (L) of the body is in the range of 130mm to 150mm; the diameter (D) of the body is in the range of 35mm to 70mm; andthe ratio L:D is in the range of 2 to 2.5.

20. A breastfeeding support comprising a generally cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis, the body being formed of resilient material, wherein: the body is waisted and has a maximum diameter Di at or adjacent to its ends and a minimum diameter D2 at or adjacent to its centre; and the ratio D D2 is in the range of 1.5 to 1.05.

21. A method of manufacturing a breastfeeding support, comprising: disposing a self-skinning mixture into an elongate body mould; activating the mixture to cause the mixture to expand within the mould; and curing the expanded mixture in the mould to thereby form an elongate body with a frictive outer surface, the elongate body configured for positioning beneath a breast such that the breast is supported for breastfeeding.

22. A method of supporting a breast for breastfeeding, using a support in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 20, the method comprising the steps of: positioning the support beneath the breast; commencing breastfeeding.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising replacing the support with a different sized support as a size of the breast varies.

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