Breastfeeding support system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a breastfeeding support system (1) designed to provide support for women experiencing difficulty in carrying and holding during the breastfeeding process. Said system is in the form of a backpack, making it possible for the mother to breastfeed the baby independently, without the need for external support. The invention maintains the correct breastfeeding position by providing support to the mother's upper body, offers an ergonomic structure, and is easily portable.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT SYSTEM

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The invention relates to a breastfeeding support system capable of supporting women who have impediments, such as those related to carrying and holding, during their breastfeeding processes, and enabling them to breastfeed their babies unassisted, particularly within the first six months. The breastfeeding support system, the subject matter of the invention, which is intended for use in the healthcare field, enables mothers with carrying and holding impediments to independently carry out the mother-baby relationship during the breastfeeding period.

[0005] Prior Art

[0006] For a newborn baby to grow and develop healthily, feeding with sufficient and balanced breast milk is superior to all other forms of nutrition and reduces infant mortality and morbidity rates. The importance of breastfeeding for infant and child health is recognized by all countries worldwide. Feeding the baby exclusively with breast milk for the first six months provides numerous benefits to the baby.

[0007] Women with disabilities face problems arising from both their disability and gender simultaneously. These women often do not have equal access to healthcare services, do not receive the disability services they need, and are excluded from the activities of daily living. Approximately 15% of the world's population, which corresponds to about 1 billion people, lives with a disability. In the latest prevalence study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank collaboration between 2002 and 2004 across 59 countries, a disability prevalence rate of 15.6% was reported. Women account for the highest disability prevalence in all countries. In our country, according to official records, the female population experiencing difficulty in carrying and holding is reported as 1,787,000 people. Based on the information obtained from the Address-Based Population Registration System in 2011, the rate of women with disabilities aged between 10 and 44 within the general population was reported as 20.8%. Despite the globally increasing number of mothers with physical disabilities, there are still several problems and a lack of information concerning breastfeeding among physically disabled mothers. According to resources, mothers with disabilities are less likely to initiate and sustain breastfeeding compared to non-disabled mothers. Some improvements have been made regarding these problems in the known state of the art.

[0008] Patent document number US2011079622A1, which is included in the prior art, discloses a combined breastfeeding device and baby carrier. The baby breastfeeding and carrying apparatus mentioned in this patent document allows the mother to remain covered while breastfeeding the baby and continues to provide support for the baby. When not utilized for breastfeeding purposes, the mother can carry the baby hands-free without burdening her back, thereby enabling her to use her hands for other tasks.

[0009] Patent document number CN114617394A, which is included in the prior art, discloses a baby auxiliary support belt for breastfeeding. This invention provides a baby support belt for use during breastfeeding. The baby support belt consists of a main support belt that supports the baby's lower body and a pillow belt that supports the baby's upper body. The support belt and the pillow belt are fixed between two limiting rods, and these rods limit the baby's suckling position. A connecting strap is also fixed to the limiting rods. The baby's lower body is placed on the support belt, and the upper body is placed on the pillow belt. The mother places the connecting strap over her shoulder and positions the baby on her chest, thus eliminating the need for the mother to hold the baby with her hands during breastfeeding.

[0010] Patent document number CN202051342U, which is included in the prior art, discloses a breastfeeding pillow. The breastfeeding pillow consists of a pillow body. It has a carrying surface on the upper part for carrying the baby and a support surface on the lower part that can be placed on the mother's legs. Both surfaces are made of soft memory material, which naturally depresses to provide stable support. In this way, the baby lies on the pillow's carrying surface and is safely carried by the depression formed by the material. Concurrently, the indentation of the support surface ensures the pillow is fixed to the mother's legs and facilitates the breastfeeding process by naturally bringing the baby's head closer to the mother's breast. Utility Model document number TR2019 / 15485, which is included in the prior art, discloses a baby breastfeeding and feeding pillow / cushion. The invention is a baby breastfeeding and feeding pillow / cushion developed to create a healthy, comfortable, and safe environment by supporting the bodies of both the parent and the baby during breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, etc. It provides great convenience through its waist support, adjustable belt and buckle, pockets (utility compartments), multi-purpose hook, detachable and adjustable neck strap, and 100% cotton washable cover.

[0011] During the research and reviews conducted, various types of systems providing breastfeeding support, such as baby carriers, cushions, and belt- supported pillows, were found. In contrast to the existing techniques, the breastfeeding support system which is the subject matter of the present invention also provides breastfeeding support to mothers who experience functional loss in their upper extremity movements or who have completely lost their movement function.

[0012] Unlike existing systems, the breastfeeding support system which is the subject matter of the invention is suitable for use by women with carrying and holding impediments. It reduces back and neck pain by preventing incorrect breastfeeding positions during nursing. A system has been developed that is easily portable, like a backpack, and can be comfortably self-applied by the user without requiring special effort, whether in hospitals or at home.

[0013] In conclusion, given the problems faced by mothers with disabilities, such as lack of support during breastfeeding, dis ability -related health issues, lack of information, difficulties related to milk production, nighttime breastfeeding, achieving the correct breastfeeding position, insufficient information provided by healthcare professionals to facilitate breastfeeding for physically disabled women, and difficulties in mother-infant bonding, it has become imperative to introduce an innovation in the relevant technical field.

[0014] Objectives and Brief Description of the Invention

[0015] The present invention relates to a breastfeeding support system developed to eliminate the disadvantages mentioned above and to bring new advantages to the relevant technical field.

[0016] The main object of the invention is to provide breastfeeding support to mothers who experience functional loss in their upper extremity movements or who have completely lost their movement function. Another object of the invention is to provide support for both the weight of the mother's upper extremity and the weight of the baby, thanks to the arm support plate and the intermediate connection mechanism.

[0017] Another object of the invention is to prevent the onset of back and neck pains by preventing incorrect breastfeeding positions during nursing, thanks to its lockable structure.

[0018] Another object of the invention is to enable the mother to use the system independently without requiring assistance from any person and without requiring special effort, thanks to its easily detachable and attachable structure.

[0019] For the construction of the present invention and its advantages along with the additional elements to be best understood, it should be evaluated in conjunction with the figures described below.

[0020] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0021] The breastfeeding support system realized to achieve the object of the present invention is shown in the attached figure.

[0022] This figure,

[0023] Figure 1: A schematic view of the breastfeeding support system which is the subject matter of the invention.

[0024] The components constituting the breastfeeding support system which is the subject matter of the invention are numbered in the attached figures as follows:

[0025] 1. Breastfeeding Support System

[0026] 2. Back Support

[0027] 3. Body Connection Belt

[0028] 4. Arm Support Plate

[0029] 5. Intermediate Connection Mechanism

[0030] 6. Baby Support Platform

[0031] 7. Head-Body Support Apparatus

[0032] 8. Baby Connection Belt The breastfeeding support system (1) comprises: a back support (2) which carries all components on it;

[0033] - a body connection belt (3) which is connected to the aforementioned back support (2) and enables the breastfeeding support system (1) to be worn on the user's back;

[0034] - an arm support plate (4) which is connected to the back support (2) and is adjustable on the horizontal and vertical axes;

[0035] - an intermediate connection mechanism (5) which is connected to the arm support plate (4) and adjusts the position of the baby support platform (6) thanks to the joints on it;

[0036] - a baby support platform (6) which holds the head-body support apparatus (7) and the baby connection belt (8) on it, and is movable on the horizontal and circular axes thanks to the intermediate connection mechanism (5);

[0037] - a soft-textured head-body support apparatus (7) which is located on the baby support platform (6) and ensures the baby is safely placed onto the baby support platform (6);

[0038] - a baby connection belt (8) which is located on the baby support platform (6) and ensures the baby's safety by fixation.

[0039] The breastfeeding support system (1) which is the subject matter of the invention, acts as a main body that contains all the components of the invention, thanks to the back support (2). The back support (2) is located on the user's back when the breastfeeding support system (1) is in use. Soft materials such as sponge, leather, fabric, cotton, etc. can be used on the surface where the back support (2) contacts the user's back. This makes it suitable for long-term ergonomic use. Furthermore, there is a reservoir within the body of the back support (2) that functions as a bag. All detachable components of the breastfeeding support system (1) can be placed in this reservoir located inside the back support (2) and carried.

[0040] Thanks to the body connection belt (3) located on the back support (2), the user can wear the breastfeeding support system (1) on their back like a bag. The body connection belts (3) are provided as two pieces on the back support (2) and are structured to be adjustable by the user. The arm support plate (4) can be on the left or right arms of the back support (2). It can be easily removed and attached from the back support (2) according to the user's preference. This allows it to be detached and attached to the left or right side of the back support (2) whenever desired. When the breastfeeding support system (1) is not in use, the arm support plate (4) and the components attached to it can be removed, placed in the reservoir within the body of the back support (2), and carried.

[0041] The arm support plate (4) and the intermediate connection mechanism (5) provide support for both the weight of the mother's upper extremity and the weight of the baby. In this way, mothers who experience functional loss in their upper extremities can hold their babies in the correct position during breastfeeding.

[0042] The intermediate connection mechanism (5) is designed to facilitate use when the mother needs upper extremity support. This intermediate connection mechanism (5) works together with the arm support plate (4) and the baby support platform (6) to ensure the baby remains in the correct position during breastfeeding. The intermediate connection mechanism (5) provides the connection between the support components fixed to the mother's body and supports the weight of both the mother and the baby with its adjustable structure when required. In this way, it offers an independent and safe breastfeeding experience for mothers experiencing upper extremity functional loss.

[0043] The intermediate connection mechanism (5) consists of at least three joints. The number of these joints can be increased, decreased, or the joint functions can be modified. The joints on the intermediate connection mechanism (5) move the baby support platform (6) in horizontal and circular axes. This movement aims to position the baby on the baby support platform (6) into the breastfeeding position desired by the mother.

[0044] The baby support platform (6) is designed to allow the mother to hold the baby in a safe and comfortable position during breastfeeding. Before nursing, the baby is placed onto this support platform and is supported by the head-body support apparatus (7). Thanks to the intermediate connection mechanism (5), the baby support platform (6) has an adjustable structure regarding its height, distance, and angle, making it suitable for mothers and babies with different physical characteristics. This enables the baby to easily access both of the mother's breasts. The baby connection belt (8) is designed to ensure the baby is safely positioned during breastfeeding. The baby connection belt (8) helps to fix the baby onto the baby support platform (6) and enhances safety with locking mechanisms. By ensuring the baby remains stationary in the breastfeeding position, it allows the mother to free her hands.

[0045] The dimensional measurements of the breastfeeding support system (1), which is the subject matter of the invention, are designed in accordance with the anthropometric characteristics of adult women. In this context, the part of the invention worn on the upper extremity may have a height between 40-65 cm, a width between 50-70 cm, and a depth between 10-20 cm. The height of the back support (2) is between 60-85 cm. The arm support plate (4), the intermediate connection mechanism (5), and the baby support platform (6) components can be manufactured from various plastic and metal materials. The back support (2) is designed in the form of a backpack and can be manufactured from materials such as fabric, etc. The breastfeeding support system (1) can be designed in different dimensions and sizes using various up-to-date materials or by taking regional differences into consideration.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A breastfeeding support system (1), characterized in that it comprises:- a back support (2) which carries all components on it;- a body connection belt (3) which is connected to the said back support (2) and enables the breastfeeding support system (1) to be worn on the user's back;- an arm support plate (4) which is connected to the back support (2) and is adjustable on the horizontal and vertical axes;- an intermediate connection mechanism (5) which is connected to the arm support plate (4) and adjusts the position of the baby support platform (6) thanks to the joints on it;- a baby support platform (6) which holds the head-body support apparatus (7) and the baby connection belt (8) on it, and is movable on the horizontal and circular axes thanks to the intermediate connection mechanism (5);- a soft-textured head-body support apparatus (7) which is located on the baby support platform (6) and ensures the baby is safely placed onto the baby support platform (6);- a baby connection belt (8) which is located on the baby support platform (6) and ensures the baby's safety by fixation.

2. The breastfeeding support system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an arm support plate (4) which can be detached and attached to the left or right side of the back support (2) whenever desired.

3. The breastfeeding support system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an intermediate connection mechanism (5) which is connected to the arm support plate (4) and adjusts the position and angle of the baby support platform (6) thanks to the joints on it.

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