UNIT FOR SUPPORTING A BABY

Abstract: A unit (22) for supporting a baby. The unit includes a supporting surface. The surface is shaped so that when a baby is supported on the surface, the baby's normal anatomical cervical spine curvature is maintained. The supporting surface may have first and second parts, the first part being adapted to accommodate the head, and the second part being adapted to accommodate the remainder of the body of the baby. The first and second parts may be disposed relative to one another so as to support the back of the baby's head in a position posterior to the upper part of the remainder of the baby's body. The first part may define a cavity. The supporting surface may be surrounded by a peripheral wall. The unit may be a mattress but could also be a chair.

Description: UNIT FOR SUPPORTING A BABY The present invention relates to a unit for supporting a baby and particularly, but not exclusively, to a seat, mattress and mattress overlay. Conventional seats and mattresses for babies are basically scaled down adult versions. It has been realised, however, that such seats and mattresses can adversely affect a baby's health. This is because the skull of a baby is disproportionately large in relation to the remainder of its body compared with the skull of an adult. A consequence of this is that when a baby is placed on its back on a flat surface its chin is pushed towards its chest or its head rotated to one side. The same occurs when a baby is placed in a conventional chair, for example a car seat. The forcing of a baby's chin towards its chest can cause a number of problems including restriction of airflow into the baby's lungs, restriction of upper chest movement and pressure being placed on the back of its skull, especially the occipital bone. Problems associated with rotation of a baby's head include stretching of one side of the neck musculature, pressure being exerted on one side of the skull and on blood vessels in the neck. The above problems can potentially adversely affect the health of a baby as well as cause the baby to feel discomfort which can lead to the natural process of relaxation being impeded. The present invention has been made in realisation of this problem, which it aims to solve, or at least reduce. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a unit for supporting a baby comprising a supporting surface shaped so that, when a baby is supported on the surface in a supine position, tne baby's normal anatomical cervical spine curvature is maintained. The supporting surface may have first and second parts, the first part being adapted to accommodate the head of the baby and the second part being adapted to accommodate the remainder of the baby's body, the first and second parts being disposed in relation to each other so as to support the back of the baby's head in a position posterior to the remainder of the baby's body. The invention allows for the correct positioning of the nead of a supported body, relative to the remainder of the body. The first part of the unit preferably defines a cavity. The second part may include a ridge disposed adjacent to the first part. The first and second parts of the unit are preferably disposed in relation to each other so as to support the head generally within the plane of the upper part of the remainder of the body. The first and second parts may be unitarily formed. The supporting surface may be surrounded by a raised peripheral wall. In one embodiment the unit comprises a mattress having a generally flat surface. The first part is formed by a recess in that surface which defines a cavity. The mattress may be formed from a synthetic foam, or any other suitable material. In another embodiment the unit comprises an overlay for an existing mattress. The overlay comprises a layer of synthetic foam or any other suitable material. The first part is formed by a recess in the layer which defines a cavity, and the remainder of the layer, part or all of which forms the second part, is of substantially uniform thickness. In another embodiment the unit is comprised in a mattress, the mattress comprises a base portion defining a cavity for receiving the unit. This allows the unit to be used as a conventional mattress, or for the unit to be removed from the mattress for use elsewhere. A plug could be provided to fill the cavity in the base portion so that it can be used as a conventional mattress. In another embodiment the unit comprises a seat. The second part comprises a base and backrest portions and the first part comprises a recess in the backrest which defines a cavity. In this arrangement it will be appreciated that the distance between the first part and the base portion of the seat will need to be varied to accommodate bodies of different size. This can be achieved by placing an appropriately sized booster cushion on the base portion of the seat so that the head of a body being supported on the seat will be accommodated by the first portion. The seat may be adapted for fitment to a vehicle. When units according to the invention are used to correctly support a baby's head relative to its body many advantages are obtained. Correct head position ensures that the baby's airway and upper chest movement during respiration are unrestricted. This provides for improved gas flow into the baby's lungs and improved function of the thymus gland and its contribution towards the neonatal immune system. There is also a reduction in direct pressure on the squamous portion of the occipital bone which is located at the back of the skull. With correct head position the pressure is transferred to the part of the skull where the parietal bones meet the occipital bone, anatomically called lambda. This spreads pressure over three bones rather than just one. Due to the proximity of the cranial venous sinuses this has the added benefit of stimulating venous blood circulation in the skull. Another benefit of correct head position is a reduced likelihood of chin sores due to irritation, or irritation of such skin conditions as infantile eczema. Generally, provision of a unit having a first part adapted to accommodate the head leads to improved head stability for the supported body. This is particularly beneficial when travelling in a car and reduces neck strain, especially for babies which have relatively weak neck muscles compared to adults. It has been observed that correct positioning of a baby's head leads to a more relaxed baby and a reduction of body movements trying to find a more comfortable position. Sleep patterns also appear to benefit. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a unit for supporting a baby comprising a supporting surface surrounded by a raised peripheral wall. The peripheral wall may be formed unitarily with the supporting surface. The periphery of the supporting surface may be oval in shape and may have a wider end and a narrower end. In order that the invention may be more clearly understood embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a baby lying on a conventional mattress; Figure 2 shows a baby lying on a mattress according to the invention; Figure 3 shows a baby supported on a conventional chair; Figure 4 shows a baby supported on a chair according to the invention; Figure 5 shows a booster cushion for use with the chair of Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a mattress according to the invention; Figure 7 shows a view similar to Figure 6 with the insert portion raised from the base portion; Figure 8 shows a plan view of the insert portion of the mattress of Figures 6 and 7; Figure 9 shows a cross-section taken along the line IX-IX of Figure 8; Figure 10 shows a cross-section taken along the line X-X of Figure 8; Figure 1 1 shows a plan view of the base portion of Figures 6 and 7; Figure 12 shows a cross-section taken along the line XII of Figure 1 1 ; and Figure 13 shows a cross-section taken along the line XIII of Figure 1 1 . Referring to Figure 1 , when a baby 1 is laid on its back on a conventional flat mattress 2 because the baby's head is disproportionately large compared to its body it is thrown forward so that its chin is pushed toward its chest. The baby's neck is therefore bent which can restrict airflow to the baby's lungs, as well as cause other problems. Referring to Figure 2, a mattress 3 according to the invention comprises a supporting surface 4 having first and second parts, generally indicated by the reference numerals 5 and 6 respectively. The first part 5 comprises a recess which defines a cavity 7 for accommodating a baby's head 8. The second part 6 comprises a slightly concave surface for supporting the remainder of the baby's body 9. The first part 5 accommodates the back of the baby's head so that it is not thrown forward. The first 5 and second 6 parts are in fact so arranged that the head 8 and remainder of the body 9 of a baby supported on the mattress are held relative to each other so that normal anatomical cervical spine curvature is maintained. The mattress may be made from any suitable material, for example synthetic foam and other materials used to make conventional mattresses. Referring to Figure 3, when a baby 10 is supported on a conventional chair 1 1 because the baby's head 12 is disproportionately large compared to its body it is thrown forward so that the baby's chin is pushed toward its chest. Referring to Figure 4, a chair 13 according to the invention comprises a supporting surface comprising a base portion 14, a backrest 15 and a legrest 16. The supporting surface can be divided into two parts, the first part being indicated by the reference numeral 17, and the remainder being the second part. The first part 17 comprises a recessed portion, defining a cavity 18 to accommodate a baby's head 19. Particularly, it accommodates the back of a baby's head so that it is not thrown forward, as with the conventional chair shown in Figure 4. The first and second parts are in fact so arranged that the baby's head is supported relative to its upper body so that normal anatomical cervical spine curvature is maintained. The dimension 20 will clearly depend upon the size of baby to be supported. In order to accommodate growth of a baby a booster cushion, or several booster cushions, possibly of different sizes, are provided. One such cushion is illustrated in Figure 5. This can be placed onto the base portion 14 of the chair to raise a baby so that its head is accommodated in the first part 18. As the baby grows a smaller booster cushion may be employed and ultimately removed. The chair and booster cushion may take any suitable form and be made from any suitable material. The chair could have provision for reclining the back rest and could be a car seat or high chair. Another embodiment of a mattress according to the invention is illustrated in Figures 6 to 13. Referring to these Figures, the mattress comprises a base portion 21 and a separate insert portion 22, both formed from a foam material. The foam material may be resilient and/or may be covered in a breathable fabric. The periphery of the base portion 21 is generally rectangular in shape, like a conventional mattress, and defines a generally oval aperture, having wider and narrower ends, in its upper surface leading to a cavity 23 for receiving the insert portion 22. The outside of the insert portion 22 is of corresponding shape to the inside of the cavity 23 in the base portion 21 . The insert portion 22 fits closely into the cavity 23 so that its upper edges lie generally flush with the top of the base portion 21. The base portion 21 comprises a substantially flat sheet of material 24 surrounded by an integrally formed raised peripheral wall 25. The thickness of the peripheral wall varies in order to define the shape of the cavity 23. A plurality of spaced apart holes 26 are formed through a rectangular region of the sheet of material 24 located approximately centrally within the peripheral wall 25. These holes ensure that the base portion 21 is breathable, to reduce the risk of suffocation. The insert portion 22 comprises a sheet of material having a flat underside 27 intended to be supported on the base portion 21 and a shaped upper supporting surface 28 for supporting a baby. The sheet of material is surrounded by an integrally formed raised peripheral wall 29. A plurality of holes 30 are formed through the sheet of material. These correspond with those formed through the base portion. The shaped upper surface 28 of the insert section 22 comprises a first part, the region generally indicated by reference numeral 31 , adapted to accommodate a baby's head and a second part, the region generally indicated by reference numeral 32, adapted to accommodate the remainder of a baby's body. The first part is located towards the wider end of the insert portion 22 and the second part towards the narrower end of the insert portion 22. The first and second parts 31 and 32 are shaped and disposed relative to each other so that a baby supported on the supporting surface 28 in a supine position can adopt a normal anatomical position, and in particular, so that normal anatomical cervical spine curvature is maintained. This is achieved through the first part 31 of the supporting surface 28 comprising a cavity for accommodating the head of a baby supported on the surface 28 so that the back of the baby's head lies in a position posterior to the back of the upper part of the baby's body. The second part 32 of the supporting surface comprises a projecting ridge which extends laterally across the insert portion 22, the surface then recedes gradually away from the ridge towards the narrower part of the insert portion 22. That is, the thickness of the material forming the bottom of the insert portion 22 decreases towards the narrow end of the insert portion 22. The profile of the supporting surface is analogous to that of the posterior of a baby's body in a normal anatomical position, particularly with normal anatomical cervical spine curvature. The peripheral wall 29 serves to prevent a baby rolling out of the insert portion. This is particularly advantageous when the insert portion is being moved with a baby supported in it. The shape of the insert portion 22 allows the peripheral wall to extend quite closely around a baby, being wider around the region where the baby's head and shoulders are intended to lie and narrower where the baby's legs are intended to lie. The base portion 21 allows the mattress to be used in the conventional manner, for example a in a cot. The base portion 21 will fill a cot and provide a safe surface around the insert portion. As the insert portion 22 can be removed from the base portion 21 this allows it to be used to accommodate a baby in other situations, for example when travelling. As the baby grows, the insert portion 22 could be replaced with a simple plug to fill the cavity 23 in the base portion 21 so that it can be used as a conventional mattress. The insert portion could include a handle, for example a loop handle pivotally connected to the sides of the insert portion at the points where the line X-X on Figure 8 intersects those sides. Such a handle could be pivoted between a position where it lies flat with the top surface of the insert portion and a position where it extends upright from the surface of the insert portion, so that the insert portion may be carried using the handle. Both the mattresses and chair enable a baby to be supported with its head in the correct position which can confer numerous health advantages, as mentioned herein, as well as helping a baby to become more relaxed and comfortable than with conventional chairs and mattresses. The above embodiments are described by way of example only, many variations are possible without departing from the invention.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A unit for supporting a baby comprising a supporting surface shaped so that, when a baby is supported on the surface in a supine position, the baby's normal anatomical cervical spine curvature is maintained. 2. A unit for supporting a baby as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the supporting surface has first and second parts, the first part being adapted to accommodate the head of the baby and the second part being adapted to accommodate the remainder of the baby's body, the first and second parts being disposed in relation to each other so as to support the back of the baby's head in a position posterior to the upper part of the remainder of the baby's body. 3. A unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first part defines a cavity. 4. A unit as claimed in either claim 2 or 3, wherein the second part includes a ridge disposed adjacent to the first part. 5. A unit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and second parts are disposed in relation to each other to support the head generally within the plane of the upper part of the body. 6. A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the supporting surface is surrounded by a peripheral wall. 7. A unit as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a mattress. 8. A mattress comprising a base portion defining a cavity for receiving a unit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5. 9. A unit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 comprising an overlay for a mattress. 10. A unit as claimed in claim 9 comprising a layer of material and wherein the first part is formed by a recess which defines a cavity in the layer, and the remainder of the layer is of substantially uniform thickness. 1 1 . A unit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 comprising a seat. 12. A unit as claimed in claim 1 1 wherein the second part comprises a base and backrest portions and the first part comprises a recess which defines a cavity in the backrest. 13. A unit as claimed in claim 12 further comprising a booster cushion. 14. A unit as claimed in any of claims 1 1 to 13 adapted for fitment to a vehicle.

Inventors: OWEN PHILIP, OWEN, PHILIP
Applicants: OWEN PHILIP, SPROG LTD, OWEN, PHILIP, SPROG LIMITED
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A47D13
IPC codes: A47D7, A47D13