Soother holder

Abstract

A soother holder (102) comprising a body (104) having a receiving portion (108) configured to receive at least a portion of a soother (202) and at least one attachment feature (122a, 122b) configured to releasably engage the soother (202) such that the soother (202) is releasably secured to the body 104, and a mounting member (106) configured to secure the soother (202) holder to an article, such as a mobile phone or mobile phone casing.

Description

[0001] SOOTHER HOLDER

[0002] The present invention relates to a soother holder and particularly, although not exclusively, relates to a soother holder for securing a soother to another article such as a mobile phone or a mobile phone casing.

[0003] BACKGROUND

[0004] Infant soothers are used at times when an infant needs comforting, such as when going to sleep or at times of distress. Soothers comprise a teat portion and a mouth shield portion. The teat portion is the portion of a soother on which an infant sucks. The teat portion is typically flexible so that it is comfortable for an infant. The mouth shield portion is a wider portion of the soother at the base of the teat portion. The mouth shield portion is stiffer than the teat portion so as to prevent the mouth shield portion from being sucked into an infant's mouth, thereby ensuring that an infant does not choke on the teat portion.

[0005] When not in use, soothers are often stored in pouches in order to keep the soother clean. Such pouches must be portable and kept as an additional accessory even when not in use. There exists a need for an improved way in which to store an infant soother when not in use.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a soother holder comprising a body having a receiving portion configured to receive at least a portion of a soother, and at least one attachment feature configured to engage said soother such that the soother is releasably secured to the body.

[0007] Optionally, the soother holder may further comprise a mounting member configured to secure the soother holder to an article, such as a mobile phone or a mobile phone casing. Optionally, the receiving portion is configured to receive a teat portion of a soother.

[0008] Optionally, the receiving portion comprises a cavity configured to receive a teat portion of a soother. The receiving portion may be configured so that only the teat portion of the soother is received in the cavity, wherein other portions of the soother, for example a mouth shield portion or a handle portion, remaining exposed when an infant soother is secured to the soother holder.

[0009] Optionally, the at least one attachment feature is configured to releasably engage a soother when at least a portion of the soother is received by the receiving portion, for example, when the teat portion is received by the receiving portion.

[0010] Optionally, the attachment feature is configured to releasably engage a mouth shield portion of a soother. Optionally, the attachment feature is configured to engage with an aperture of the mouth shield, for example by extending through the aperture.

[0011] Optionally, the attachment feature is configured to releasably engage a handle portion of a soother. Optionally, the attachment feature is configured to engage with an aperture of the handle portion, for example by extending through the aperture.

[0012] Optionally, the attachment feature comprises a retaining member having a securing configuration which secures a soother to the body and a release configuration in which the soother can be disengaged from the body.

[0013] Optionally, the retaining member comprises a retaining portion configured to resiliently deform between the securing configuration which secures a soother to the body and therelease configuration in which the soother can be disengaged from, and engaged with, the body.

[0014] Optionally, the retaining portion is arranged to be deformed from the securing configuration to the release configuration by a soother as said at least a portion of the soother is received by the receiving portion.

[0015] Optionally, at least a portion of the retaining member is configured to flex from the securing configuration to the release configuration.

[0016] Optionally, the retaining portion defines a lip configured to hold the soother in engagement with the body.

[0017] Optionally, the receiving portion has a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is configured to receive said at least a portion of the soother.

[0018] Optionally, the cavity has an opening at a distal end of the soother retaining portion through which the teat portion of a soother is inserted into the cavity.

[0019] Optionally, the body is detachably connected to the mounting member.

[0020] Optionally, the body is rotatably connected to the mounting member.

[0021] Optionally, the body is formed integrally with the mounting member.

[0022] Optionally, the mounting member is configured to be secured to a mobile phone.

[0023] Optionally, the body is configured to form a handle for the article to which the soother holder is connected.

[0024] Optionally, the body has a distal end, a proximal end and a central portion, the central portion being narrower than the distal end.

[0025] Optionally, the body is collapsible from an extended configuration to a collapsed configuration.

[0026] Optionally, the body comprises a material having a hardness which is not less than 47 Shore A. Optionally, the body comprises a material having a hardness which is not greater than 53 Shore A.Optionally, the mounting member comprises a material having a tensile strength which is not less than 20MPa, for example a tensile strength which is 26MPa.

[0027] Optionally, the attachment feature comprises a material having hardness which is not less than 47 Shore A. Optionally, the attachment feature comprises a material having hardness which is not greater than 53 Shore A.

[0028] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a phone case or phone comprising a body having a receiving portion configured to receive at least a portion of a soother, and at least one attachment feature configured to releasably engage the soother such that the soother is releasably secured to the body.

[0029] Optionally, the body may comprise features of the body of soother according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0030] According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided an assembly comprising: a soother holder according to the first aspect of the invention, and a soother having a teat portion and a mouth shield portion.

[0031] Optionally, the soother has at least one aperture a configured to be releasably engaged with said at least one attachment feature.

[0032] Optionally, the at least one aperture is configured as an aperture through which an infant may breathe when sucking on the soother.

[0033] A soother holder in accordance with the claimed invention provides a convenient and accessible means for storing an infant soother when not being used.

[0034] Aspects of the invention provide a soother holder which has a dual function of storing a soother and providing a handle for an article to which it is attached.

[0035] Aspects of the invention provide a soother holder which can be used to store a soother in a manner which keeps a teat portion of the soother clean during storage.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 shows an arrangement comprising a soother holder and a soother;

[0037] Figure 2 shows the soother holder shown in Figure 1 from a second perspective;

[0038] Figure 3 is a sectional view of the soother holder shown in Figure 1;

[0039] Figure 4 is the soother holder shown in Figure 1 with selected components separated from each other;

[0040] Figure 5 shows the soother holder and soother shown in Figure 1 in an engaged configuration;

[0041] Figure 6 is a sectional view of a soother attached to the soother holder and;

[0042] Figure 7 shows an arrangement in which the soother holder shown in Figure 1 is secured to an article, and

[0043] Figure 8 shows an assembly comprising a mobile phone and a mobile phone casing configured to hold a soother.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Figure 1 shows a soother holder 102 for securing an infant soother to an article such as a mobile housing or a mobile phone case together with an infant soother 202. The infant soother 202 has a teat portion 204, a mouth shield portion 206 and a handle portion 208. The soother holder 102 comprises a body 104 and a mounting member 106. The body 104 comprises a receiving portion 108 and a base portion 110 (the base portion 110 is indicated in Figures 3 and 4).

[0045] The receiving portion 108 is formed of a resiliently deformable material, such as a resiliently deformable material having a hardness within the range 47 Shore A to 53 Shore A, and preferably a hardness of 50 Shore A, for example, silicone. In the embodiment shown, the receiving portion 108 is a single-piece component formed by moulding.

[0046] The receiving portion 108 is generally cylindrical. The receiving portion 108 has a proximal end 114 adjacent the base portion 110, a distal end 116 which is spaced away from the base portion 110, and a central portion 117 which extends from the proximal end 114 to the distal end 116. The central portion 117 has an outer diameter which reduces progressively from the proximal end 114 to a waist region 117a in which the diameter of the central portion 117 is less than the diameter of both the proximal end 114 and the distal end 116, and increases progressively from the waist region to the distal end 116.

[0047] The receiving portion 108 comprises a cavity 118 which extends from an opening 120 provided in the distal end 116 lengthwise along the receiving portion 108. The cavity 118 extends along the receiving portion 108 and the central portion to the proximal end 114. The opening 120 is provided through a distal end surface 116a of the distal end 116 of the receiving portion 108. The opening 120 is configured to allow the teat portion 204 of the infant soother 202 to be inserted into the cavity 118 through the opening 120.

[0048] The cavity 118 is shaped to receive the teat portion 204 such that the entirety of the teat portion 204 is disposed within the cavity 118 (as shown in Figure 6). In the embodiment shown, the cavity 118 is generally cylindrical having a longitudinal axis which defines a longitudinal axis X of the soother holder 102. The cavity 118 is closed at the end of the cavity 118 at the proximal end 114 of the receiving portion 108 thereby forming a cup in which ateat portion 204 is received. The portion of the cavity 118 adjacent the opening 120 tapers inwardly from the opening 120 such that it provides a curved surface adjacent the opening 120 for guiding the teat portion 204 as it is inserted into the cavity 118.

[0049] The distal end surface 116a has a contoured profile which conforms with the contoured profile of a front surface 206a of the mouth shield portion 206 of the infant soother 202 such that, when the teat portion 204 is fully inserted into the cavity 118, the front surface 206a of the mouth shield portion 206 abuts the distal end surface 116a of the receiving portion 108. The body 104 further comprises a first attachment feature 122a and a second attachment feature 122b disposed on diametrically opposing sides of the opening 120. In the embodiment shown, the first and second attachment features 122a, 122b are formed integrally with the receiving portion 108. For example, the first and second attachment features 122a, 122b may be moulded integrally with the receiving portion 108.

[0050] Each attachment feature 122a, 122b comprises a retaining member 123a, 123b having a projecting portion 124a, 124b which extends away from the receiving portion 108 in a direction which is parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the soother holder 102, and a retaining portion 126a, 126b which extends laterally with respect to the longitudinal direction of the respective projecting portion 124a, 124b, so as to define a peripheral lip 128a, 128b extending outwardly from the projecting portion 124a, 124b. Each lip 128a, 128b is resiliently deformable. It will be appreciated that only a single attachment feature would be required in some circumstances; however, two attachment features are preferred in the embodiment shown because they provide better security.

[0051] The proximal end 114 of the receiving portion 108 has a recess 129 (shown in Figure 3) provided in a proximal end surface 116b of the receiving portion 108. The recess 129 is configured to receive the base portion 110.

[0052] The base portion 110 comprises a disc portion 130 and a male bayonet fiting 132 which extends outwardly away from the disc portion 130 along the longitudinal axis X of the soother holder 102. The male bayonet fiting 132 comprises a cylindrical stem 134 and pegs 136a, 136b that extend radially outwardly from the cylindrical stem 134.The disc portion 130 is located within the recess 129 provided in the receiving portion 108. The base portion 110 is relatively rigid compared with the material forming the receiving portion 108. For example, the base portion 110 may be formed from a polypropylene, such as a polypropylene having a flexural modulus not less than lOOOMPa. The receiving portion 108 is secured to the base portion 110 by co-moulding the receiving portion 108 to the disc portion 130. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the receiving portion 108 may be secured to the base portion 110 by other means, such as an adhesive or mechanical fastening.

[0053] The mounting member 106 comprises a mounting disc portion 138 which is provided with a female bayonet fiting 140 that is configured to cooperate with the male bayonet fiting 132 of the base portion 110. The female bayonet fiting 140 comprises a recess 142 provided with a lip 144 having a keyed formation 146 for receiving the cylindrical stem 134 and pegs 136a, 136b of the male bayonet fiting 132. The female bayonet fiting 140 is configured to allow the male bayonet fiting 132 to be rotated within the recess 142 once inserted in order to locate the pegs 136a, 136b under the lip 144 to secure the infant soother holder 102 to the mounting member 106.

[0054] In the embodiment shown, an adhesive is applied to a base surface 106a of the mounting member 106. A protective film 148 is applied over the adhesive for storage of the soother holder 102 prior to use.

[0055] With reference to the soother 202 shown in Figures 1, 5 and 6, the mouth shield portion 206 has a first aperture 210a and a second aperture 210b which extend through the mouth shield portion 206 so that an infant may breathe through the apertures 210a, 210b when using (i.e. sucking) the soother 202. The soother 202 comprises a support frame 212 formed from a relatively rigid material such as a thermoplastic elastomer and an outer body 214 which is formed from a relatively resilient material such as a material having a hardness which is not less than 30 Shore A and not greater than 70 Shore A, for example a silicone. The outer body 214 forms the teat portion 204, mouth shield portion 206 and the handle portion 208. The support frame 212 forms part of the mouth shield portion 206 and provides structural rigidity in order to prevent significant deflection of the mouth shield portion 206 during use. The support frame 212 defines the inner periphery of each aperture 210a, 210b.Assembly

[0056] The soother holder 102 is secured to an article 302, such as a mobile phone as shown in Figure 7, by first removing the protective film 148 and then pressing the soother holder 102 against a flat surface of the article 302 such that the adhesive bonds to the article 302. It will be appreciated that other means of attaching the soother holder 102 to an article 302 could be used, for example the mounting member 106 may be provided with a suction cup or a magnetic arrangement.

[0057] Once secured to an article 302, the soother holder 102 provides a handle for supporting the article 302. For example, a user may grip the soother holder 102 around the central portion 117 of the receiving portion 108, for example between adjacent fingers, such that the distal end 116 of the receiving portion 108 provides a support to assist with holding the article 302 to which the soother holder 102 is attached.

[0058] Use

[0059] In order to store the infant soother 202, a person grips the handle portion 208 of the infant soother and aligns the teat portion 204 with the opening 120. The first and second apertures 210a, 210b of the soother 202 are also brought into alignment with the respective first and second attachment features 122a, 122b (as shown in Figure 1).

[0060] The infant soother 202 is then brought into engagement with the soother holder 102 by inserting the teat portion 204 through the opening 120 into the cavity 118 until a front peripheral edge of the mouth shield portion 206 defining each of the first and second apertures 210a, 210b is brought into abuting engagement with each atachment feature 122a, 122b.

[0061] The person then pushes the soother 202 against the soother holder 102 in the longitudinal direction of the soother holder 102 (i.e. substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X) in order to deform the peripheral lip 128a, 128b of each retaining member 123a, 123b into a release configuration in which the peripheral lip 128a, 128b are deformed inwardly toward each respective projecting portion 124a, 124b. Deformation of each peripheral lip 128a, 128b allows each atachment feature 122a, 122b to pass through the respective aperture 210a, 210b of the mouth shield portion 206. The soother 202 is then pushed further towards thebody 104 until the teat portion 204 is fully inserted in the cavity 118 and the front surface 206a of the mouth shield portion 206 is brought into abuting engagement with the distal end surface 116a of the receiving portion 108, as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0062] Once the apertures 210a, 210b have passed over the peripheral lips 128a, 128b of each atachment feature 122a, 122b, the peripheral lips 128a, 128b return to their original shape under their own resiliency. Each retaining member 123a, 123b thus assumes a securing configuration in which the peripheral lips 128a, 128b extend outwardly from the respective projecting portion 124a, 124b over a rear surface 206b of the of the mouth shield portion 206 in order to hold the soother 202 captive against the body 104 of the of the holder 102 (as shown in Figures 4 and 5). Each atachment feature 122a, 122b provides a retaining member 123a, 123b configured to resiliently deform from a securing configuration which secures the soother 102 to the body 104 and a release configuration in which the soother 102 can be engaged and disengaged from the body 104. The soother 202 is therefore in a stored position in which the teat portion 204 is enclosed within the cavity 118 by the mouth shield portion 206 abuting the receiving portion 108, and the soother 202 is secured to the soother holder 102 by retention of the mouth shield portion 206 by the atachment features 122a, 122b. The soother holder 102 therefore provides a convenient way of storing an infant soother 202 which keeps the teat portion 204 clean. The soother 202 is also easily locatable, since it is stored with a mobile phone, and convenient to access. In addition, the soother holder 102 provides a handle by which to hold the mobile phone, and may also be used as a prop for supporting the mobile phone on a surface whether holding a soother 202 or not. The soother holder 102 therefore has the dual functionality of providing storage for a soother and as a handle or prop.

[0063] In order to disengage the soother 202 from the soother holder 102, a user pulls the soother 202 away from the from the soother holder 102 in the longitudinal direction with sufficient force that causes the peripheral lips 128a, 128b to deform inwardly with respect to each respective projecting portion 124a, 124b. The force required to disengage the soother 202 from the soother holder 102 is such that the soother 202 is not inadvertently disengaged from the soother holder 102, but is relatively easy to remove by a person pulling on the soother 202 without having to brace.When the soother holder 102 is not required to be connected to the article 302, for example, if a mobile phone to which the soother holder 102 is connected is not in use and is put in a pocket or bag, the body 104 may be disconnected from the mounting member 106 by rotating the body 104 relative to the mounting member 106 in order to bring the pegs 136a, 136b male bayonet fiting 132 into alignment with the keyed formation 146 female bayonet fiting 140. This then allows for the body 104 to be separated from the mounting member 106. Once separated, the mounting member 106, which has a relatively low profile compared with the assembled soother holder 102, may remain atached to the article 302. The body 104 may be stored separately.

[0064] It will be appreciated that the body 104 may be used to store a soother 202 even when not connected to the mounting member 106 since it provides a convenient way in which to store a soother that helps keep the teat portion 204 clean. It may also be secured to another article, such as a key chain, tether, drinks botle, or other suitable means for safe keeping. Atachment to another article may be facilitated if the other article is provided with a female bayonet fiting in accordance with the fiting 140 with which the mounting member 106 is equipped. The cavity shown in Figure 1 is closed at one end. It will be appreciated that the cavity 118 could be open at both ends. With such an arrangement, the cavity 118 could be closed at the proximal end 114 of the receiving portion 108 by the base portion 110, the mounting member 106 and / or an article to which the soother holder 102 is atached.

[0065] The embodiment of the soother holder 102 shown in Figures 1 to 7 has first and second atachment features that are formed integrally with the receiving portion 108. It will be appreciated that only one or more of the first and second atachment features must be sufficiently resilient to allow a soother to be atached and detached from the soother holder. The receiving portion 108, therefore, need not be as flexible as the atachment features. Therefore, in further embodiments, the first and second atachment features may be formed from a material that has hardness that differs from the hardness of the material from which the receiving portion is formed. One or more of atachment features, or retaining members thereof, may be made of a material having a hardness which is lower than the hardness of the material from which the receiving portion is formed. For example, the receiving portion may be made from a rigid material, such as a rigid plastic, whereas the first and second atachment features or portions thereof may be made of silicone.In further embodiments, the body 104 may be releasably secured to the mounting member 106 by other suitable means, for example a magnetic arrangement or a snap fit arrangement. Alternatively, the mounting member 106 may be formed integrally with the body 104. For example, the mounting member may be integrally moulded with the body 104. As such, the bayonet fiting for securing the body 104 to the mounting member 106 would not be required. With such an arrangement, the mounting member 106 may be configured to be releasably connected to an article. For example, the mounting member 106 may comprise a bracket for connection to an article or its own bayonet fiting. In an example embodiment, the mounting member may comprise or phone case for receiving a mobile phone.

[0066] In further embodiments, the atachment feature may be any feature configured to engage with a particular soother in order to releasably secured the soother to the body of the soother holder. For example, the atachment feature may be a formation that is configured to provide a friction fit with a portion of the soother, for example a teat portion, mouth shield portion and / or handle portion of a soother. The atachment feature may comprise or form part of a clasp arrangement that grips an outer peripheral edge of a soother. The atachment feature may be a hook arrangement, latching arrangement or push-fit arrangement. Atachment feature may be formed individually or as an integral part of the body.

[0067] In a further embodiment, the body may be deformable such that it can be collapsed in a longitudinal direction from a retaining configuration into a collapsed configuration for storage. For example, the central portion may be formed as a bellows arrangement that collapses in order for the distal end to be moved towards the proximal end. This allows for the soother holder to be collapsed when not in use and so made more compact for storage.

[0068] In further embodiments, one or more of the retaining members 123a, 123b may flex between a securing configuration and a release configuration, for example to provide a latching arrangement for a soother 102 in which the lips 128a, 128b are displaced generally laterally by flexing of each retaining member 123a, 123b. The lips 128a, 128b need not then be deformable themselves. Such an arrangement may be suitable where an atachment feature is configured to engage with an outer periphery of a mouth shield portion 206 of a soother 202.Figure 8 shows an arrangement comprising a mobile phone 401 and a mobile phone casing 402 together with a soother 202. The mobile phone casing 402 comprises a body 404 having a receiving portion 408 and a cover portion 410 in which the phone 401 is held. The receiving portion 408 defines a groove 418 that is configured to receive an edge of the mouth shield portion 206 of the soother 202. In the embodiment shown, the mobile phone casing is formed as a single-piece component, for example by moulding from a resilient material such as a silicone having a hardness which is not less than 47 Shore A and not greater than 53 Shore A. The body 404 comprises a first attachment feature 422a in the form of opposing protrusions 423a formed along each opposing edge of the groove 418 which are configured to grip the mouth shield portion 206 when inserted in the groove 418. The body 404 further comprises a second attachment feature 422b in the form of a protrusion 423b which extends outwardly from the rear of the casing 402. The protrusion 423b is configured to be inserted into and engage with an aperture 216 provided in the soother handle 208. In the embodiment shown, the protrusion 423b extends outwardly in a direction which is generally perpendicular to a rear surface of the casing 402.

[0069] In order to secure a soother 202 to the casing 402, the edge of the mouth shield portion 206 is aligned with the groove 418 and an aperture 216 provided in the handle of the soother 202 is aligned with the protrusion 423b. The edge of the mouth shield portion 206 is then inserted into the groove 418 such that the of opposing protrusions 423a grip the mouth shield portion 206 and the protrusion 423b extends through the aperture 216. The opposing protrusions 423a and the protrusion 423b provide an arrangement which holds the soother 202 to the body 404 securely, but also allows easy release of the soother 202 by a user when sufficient pulling force is applied.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A soother holder comprising:a body having a receiving portion configured to receive at least a portion of a soother and at least one attachment feature configured to engage said soother such that the soother is releasably secured to the body, anda mounting member configured to secure the soother holder to an article.

2. The soother holder of claim 1, wherein the receiving portion is configured to receive a teat portion of a soother.

3. The soother holder of claim 2, wherein the receiving portion comprises a cavity configured to receive a teat portion of a soother.

4. The soother holder of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one attachment feature is configured to releasably engage a soother when at least a portion of the soother is received by the receiving portion.

5. The soother holder of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment feature is configured to releasably engage a mouth shield portion of a soother.

6. The soother holder of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment feature is configured to releasably engage a handle portion of a soother.

7. The soother holder of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment feature comprises a retaining member having a securing configuration which secures a soother to the body and a release configuration in which the soother can be disengaged from the body.

8. The soother holder of claim 7, wherein the retaining member comprises a retaining portion configured to resiliently deform between the securing configuration which secures a soother to the body and the release configuration in which the soother can be disengaged from the body.

9. The soother of claim 8, wherein the retaining portion is arranged to be deformed from the securing configuration to the release configuration by a soother as said at least a portion of the soother is received by the receiving portion.

10. The soother holder of claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the retaining member is configured to flex from the securing configuration to the release configuration.

11. The soother holder of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the retaining portion defines a lip configured to hold a soother in engagement with the body.

12. The soother holder of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving portion has a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is configured to receive said at least a portion of the soother.

13. The soother holder of claim 12 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the cavity has an opening at the distal end of the soother retaining portion through which the teat portion of a soother is inserted into the cavity.

14. The soother holder of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body is detachably connected to the mounting member.

15. The soother holder of claim 14, wherein the body is rotatably connected to the mounting member.

16. The soother of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the body is formed integrally with the mounting member.

17. The soother holder of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting member is configured to be secured to a mobile phone.

18. The soother holder of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body is configured to form a handle for the article to which the soother holder is connected.

19. The soother holder of claim 18, wherein the body has a distal end, a proximal end and a central portion, the central portion being narrower than the distal end.

20. The soother holder of claim 18 or 19, wherein the body is collapsible from an extended configuration to a collapsed configuration.

21. The soother holder of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body comprises a material having a hardness which is not less than 47 Shore A and not greater than 53 Shore A.

22. The soother holder of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting member comprises a material having a tensile strength which is not less than 20MPa.

23. The soother holder of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment feature comprises a material having hardness which is not less than 47 Shore A and not greater than 53 Shore A.

24. A phone case or phone for holding a soother comprising:a body having a receiving portion configured to receive at least a portion of a soother, andat least one attachment feature configured to releasably engage the soother such that the soother is releasably secured to the body.

25. An assembly comprising:a soother holder according to any one of claims 1 to 23, anda soother having a teat portion and a mouth shield portion.

26. The assembly of claim 25, wherein the soother has at least one aperture configured to be releasably engaged with said at least one attachment feature.

27. The assembly of claim 26, wherein the at least one aperture is configured as an aperture through which an infant may breathe when sucking on the soother.

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