Patent Publication Number: US-9402430-B2

Title: Garment for carrying a baby to provide skin-to-skin contact

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/642,698 filed May 4, 2012, entitled “Garments and Methods for Carrying a Baby to Provide Skin-to-Skin Contact,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to garments and methods for carrying a baby to provide skin-to-skin contact. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There is a growing body of evidence that proves that skin-to-skin contact, also known as “kangaroo care,” practiced immediately after birth and beyond, offers multiple medical benefits for both mom and baby. Kangaroo care is a holding technique where the care provider positions baby, who is wearing only a diaper, vertically against their bare chest. The infant&#39;s shoulders should be flat against the mother&#39;s chest, on or above her breasts, so constriction of the chest does not occur, impeding repertory expansion. The infant&#39;s nose should be unobstructed, with their head turned to one side, resting under mom&#39;s collarbone. Full chest to chest contact between the provider and baby is crucial as this is the location of the C-Afferent nerve, that when stimulated causes a hormonal cascade to occur, resulting in all of the physiological benefits that kangaroo care offers. The nerve is particularly sensitive at this specific location over the front (ventral) chest and sends a message of pleasure to a deep part of the brain where oxytocin is produced. Oxytocin is a hormone that creates a sense of calm, happiness and contentment. The presence of oxytocin reduces the stress response hormone from being released and prohibits an increase in heart rate, breathing rates, blood pressure, and growth/recovery delays for baby. Simply stated, skin-to-skin contact eliminates stress responses in baby&#39;s brain and body. It is suggested that infants remain in kangaroo care for an uninterrupted sixty minutes for the baby to receive the following benefits: accelerated brain development, synchronization of heart rate and breathing, regulation of body temperature, improved quality of sleep, increased immunity, aids in digestion, improves to weight gain, cries less and remains calm. 
     As it relates to breastfeeding, there is a dose to dose response between kangaroo care and milk production. The longer time an infant spends in skin-to-skin contact, the more milk mom produces. Hospitals are initiating non-separation and birth kangaroo care to advocate for breastfeeding. Inadequate milk supply is the number one cause for mothers to supplement or discontinue breastfeeding. Infants held in kangaroo care the first hour after birth are twice as likely to breastfeed than a swaddled infant. 
     Accordingly, there remains a need for improved methods and devices for holding a baby in proper skin-to-skin contact position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of one embodiment of a garment; 
         FIG. 2  is a back view of the garment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the garment of  FIG. 1  with a first front panel opened; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the garment of  FIG. 3  with a second front panel opened; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of one embodiment of a belt; 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of the belt of  FIG. 5  as worn; 
         FIG. 7  is a back perspective view of the belt of  FIG. 6  as worn; 
         FIG. 8A  shows a person wearing the garment of  FIG. 1  while holding a baby against the wearer&#39;s chest with a first hand; 
         FIG. 8B  shows the wearer of  FIG. 8B  holding a free end of a front panel with a second hand; 
         FIG. 8C  shows the first panel of  FIG. 8B  drawn across the baby&#39;s back with the free end fastened to the garment; and 
         FIG. 8D  shows the baby secured within the garment and supported by a belt. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the devices and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the present invention is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. 
     Various exemplary garments and methods are provided for carrying an infant in a manner that provides skin-to-skin. In general, the methods and devices allow an infant to be securely held against an adult&#39;s chest to maximize benefits of skin-to-skin contact, while allowing the adult&#39;s hands to be free. 
       FIGS. 1-4  illustrate one exemplary embodiment of an adult garment  10  for carrying a baby in a way that the baby can have beneficial skin-to-skin contact with an adult wearer of the garment. The garment  10  is in the form of a blouse or shirt, and can have a back panel  20  and two front panels  30 ,  40  attached to opposite sides of the back panel  20 . The front panels are designed to hold an infant in skin-to-skin, kangaroo care position against the wearer&#39;s chest. The garment can have arm openings formed between the back panel  20  and each of the front panels  30 ,  40 , and the garment can optionally include sleeves  50 ,  60  coupled to the front and back panels and extending from the arm openings. This panel design allows for quick, easy access for placing and removing any size infant against a wearer&#39;s chest. The sizes and shapes of each panel can vary such that the garment can be available in multiple sizes and styles. 
     The back panel  20  can have various configurations, but in an exemplary embodiment the back panel is configured to cover a wearer&#39;s back, extending between left and right sides of the wearer. In the illustrated embodiment, the back panel  20  has a generally rectangular shape with a top edge or side  20   t , a bottom edge or side  20   b , and left and right sides  20   l ,  20   r  that extends between the top and bottom sides  20   t ,  20   b . The top side  20   t  can extend laterally across the wearer between left and right sides of the wearer&#39;s body. The top side  20   t  can be positioned along a wearer&#39;s shoulders and across the back of a wearer&#39;s neck. The bottom side  20   b  can likewise extend laterally across a wearer&#39;s body, and can be located anywhere along the wearer back side. The left and right sides  20   l ,  20   r  can extend along the left and right sides of the wearer&#39;s body, respectively, to connect to the front panels, as discussed in detail below. The back panel can have a width W B  and a length L B  that can vary. In an exemplary embodiment, the width W B  is in the range of about 15 inches to 30 inches, and preferably 15 inches to 25 inches, and more preferably 16 inches to 23 inches. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the back panel  20  can have a variety of configurations, and can include various design features known in the art. By way of example, in another embodiment the back panel can include a yoke panel that runs horizontally across the top of the wearer&#39;s shoulders to reinforce weight support for the front panels. 
     Each of the front panels  30 ,  40  can be mated to one of the left and right sides of the back panel  20 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the first front panel  30  is mated to the left side  20   l  of the back panel  20 , and the second front panel  40  is mated to the right side  20   r  of the back panel  20 . The front and back panels  20 ,  30 ,  40  can be mated using various techniques known in the art, such as by stitching the panels together along the edges to form a seam. 
     Each front panel  30 ,  40  can have an interior surface  30 I,  40 I configured to face inward towards the wearer&#39;s body, and an exterior surface  30 E,  40 E configured to face away from the wearer&#39;s body, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 . The front panels  30 ,  40  can have a configuration that allows the panels to overlap or cross over each other such that together they can provide coverage of a desired portion of a wearer&#39;s and a baby&#39;s body, as well as provide support to the mom and infant. While the particular shape of each front panel can vary, in one embodiment, as shown, the front panels can be configured such that the panels can overlap to create a V-shaped front neckline for the garment. Alternatively, the front panels can be formed such that other types of necklines are created, for example, a square neck, a round neck, a scoop neck or a boat neck. While the garment can have various necklines, the neckline can allow adequate coverage to provide support for a baby, securely holding it against a wearer&#39;s chest and front side. The neckline can also allow adequate space and air for a baby&#39;s comfort and breathing. The front panels  30 ,  40  can also be reinforced such that, depending on which way a baby is facing, one of the front panels  30 ,  40  can be tucked around the back of the baby&#39;s head or positioned around the head, similar to a hood, to provide head and neck support and to keep the baby&#39;s face and airways un-occluded. The front panels  30 ,  40  can have a width W R , W L  and a length L R , L L  that can vary. The width W R , W L  can be measured from where the front panel  30 ,  40  meets the left or right side  20   l ,  20   r  of the back panel  20  to a free end  30   e ,  40   e  of the front panel  30 ,  40 . In an exemplary embodiment, the width of each front panel is in the range of about 13 inches to 30 inches, and preferably 15 inches to 25 inches, and more preferably 16 inches to 24 inches, and the length of each front panel is in the range of about 25 inches to 40 inches, and preferably 25 inches to 35 inches, and more preferably 27 inches to 30 inches. The dimensions of the front panels can be independent of each other, but preferably the length of both front panels is substantially equal. 
     In order to facilitate secure holding of the baby against the wearer&#39;s chest, the front panels can mate to one another using various techniques. For example, one of the front panels can have one or more fasteners that mates to one or more corresponding fasteners on the other front panel. By way of non-limiting example,  FIG. 3  illustrates first and second fasteners  60   a ,  60   b  formed on or attached to the exterior surface  30 E of the first front panel  30 , and third and fourth fasteners  60   c ,  60   d  formed on or attached to the interior surface  40 I of the second front panel  40 . While the fasteners can be positioned at various locations, in this embodiment the first fastener  60   a  is positioned adjacent to the left side  20   l  of the back panel  20 , and the second fastener  60   b  is positioned on an opposite side of the front panel  30 , adjacent to a terminal edge. The third fastener  60   c  on the second front panel  40  is positioned adjacent to the right side  20   r  of the back panel  20 , and the fourth fastener  60   d  is positioned on an opposite side of the front panel  40 , adjacent to a terminal edge. As a result, the front panels  30 ,  40  can be coupled together by positioning the fasteners in mating engagement with one another. In particular, the first front panel  30  can be positioned against a wearer&#39;s front side, and the second front panel  40  can be pulled across and over the first front panel  30  to mate the third fastener  60   c  with the second fastener  60   b  and to mate the fourth fastener  60   d  with the first fastener  60   a . Optionally, in some embodiments, one or both of the front panels can couple to an interior or exterior surface of the back panel. The coupling of the front panels to each other can provide a secure compression fit for a baby resting vertically against a wearer&#39;s chest. The fasteners can be configured such that a size of the garment can be adjusted by coupling the fasteners on the second front panel  40  at various locations relative to the fasteners on the first front panel. While not shown, the fasteners can optionally have a size that allows the fasteners to mate at multiple positions. As a result, the garment can allow for custom sizing as the wearer&#39;s and the baby&#39;s bodies change. Though the illustrated embodiment shows hook and loop fasteners, specifically Velcro®, various fasteners can be used, such as other hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, zippers, belts, ties, magnets, and adhesives, by way of non-limiting example. Preferably, the fasteners can allow for one-handed fastening, allowing a wearer to support a baby with one hand while securing the garment around them with the other hand. In some embodiments, instead of having fasteners, the front panels can have a length sufficient to allow the panels to wrap around a wearer&#39;s body and be knotted or tied to secure a compression fit. 
     The first front panel  30  can also include a pocket  35  formed on an interior surface  30 I thereof to prevent a baby from slipping out the bottom of the garment  10 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The pocket  35  can be formed by folding an extended portion of the front panel  30  inside the garment  10  and securing lateral edges of the extended portion to the interior surface  30 I of the front panel  30 . The top edge  35   t  of the pocket  35  can be unattached from the front panel  30  such that a baby&#39;s legs can be tucked inside the pocket  35  while secured in the garment  10 . Alternatively, the pocket  35  can be formed by attaching a separate piece of material to the interior surface  30 I of the front panel  30 . The pocket  35  can also optionally be reinforced such that it can support a baby&#39;s weight. The pocket can be formed along an entire bottom portion of the interior surface  30 I of the front panel  30 , or alternatively, the pocket can be formed along a portion of the interior surface  30 I. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of techniques can be used to form a pocket, and that the pocket can have various shapes and sizes and can be positioned at various locations inside the first front panel  30 . In an exemplary embodiment, the pocket is positioned to function as a safety feature, only to support the baby should the baby slip down the wearer&#39;s chest. Otherwise, the pocket can be provided but will not support the baby when the baby is properly positioned on the wearer&#39;s chest. In one embodiment, the pocket  35  can have one or more slits formed therein configured to provide access to a baby within the pocket while maintaining skin-to-skin contact. While the one or more slits can be positioned at various locations on the pocket,  FIG. 4  illustrates a slit  38  positioned adjacent to the bottom of pocket  35  and while a distance D of the slit from the bottom edge can vary, in an exemplary embodiment the distance is in the range of about 2 inches to 6 inches, and preferably 3 inches to 5 inches. The length L of the slit can also vary, but preferably the length is sufficient to allow access by an instrument, allow the baby&#39;s foot to pass therethrough, or even to allow an adult hand to be passed therethrough. In an exemplary embodiment, the length is in the range of about 2 inches to 5 inches, and preferably 3 inches to 4 inches. The slit can be configured to provide access to the baby&#39;s foot, for example, to draw blood or to measure temperature. 
     The garment can have various configurations or styles. As mentioned above, the garment  10  can have armholes (not shown) that can lead to optional sleeves.  FIGS. 1-4  illustrate long sleeves  50 ,  60 , however, it will be understood that the garment can have short sleeves, three-quarter sleeves, or the garment can be sleeveless. The garment can come in multiple pre-determined sizes, e.g., XS, S, M, L, XL and 2XL. 
     The garment can be formed from various materials. The garment can be entirely formed of the same material, or alternatively, various portions of the garment can be formed from different materials. For example, as discussed above, the front panel(s) and/or the pocket can be reinforced, and thus can be formed from a sturdier material than the rest of the garment. By way of non-limiting example, the material can be soft, breathable, moisture-wicking, anti-bacterial, natural, synthetic, odor-resistant, and machine washable. In an exemplary embodiment, the material is also elastic. 
     As discussed above, the garment can also have a detachable belt that can be positioned around the garment. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the belt  500  can have an elongate configuration with a central support portion  510  and two straps  520 ,  530  extending from opposed ends thereof. The straps  520 ,  530  can be configured to couple together such that the belt  500  can be secured around the garment  10  and around the wearer&#39;s waist. The belt  510 , including the central support portion  510  and the two straps  520 ,  530 , can have an interior surface that is configured to be worn facing a wearer&#39;s body and an exterior surface configured to be worn facing away from a wearer&#39;s body. 
     The central support portion can be configured to be worn adjacent to the front panels of the garment such that the central support portion can provide additional support to the garment for supporting a baby resting on a wearer&#39;s chest. For example, the central support portion can be positioned around a baby&#39;s bottom to function as a seat to allow the baby to be retained on the wearer&#39;s chest without requiring the wearer to hold the baby, i.e., hands-free. The central support portion  510  can have a width greater than or equal to a width of the straps  520 ,  530  such that the width of the central support portion  510  can support a baby, such as by supporting a baby in a seated or semi-seated position, for example. In some embodiments, the central support portion  510  can be configured to be placed under a baby&#39;s rear end. The central support portion can be reinforced such that it can support a heavier weight. The central support portion can have various shapes, but preferably, the central support portion has an elongate rectangular shape with a size that is comfortable for the wearer. 
     As discussed above, the belt  500  can have straps  520 ,  530  that extend from opposed ends of the central support portion  510  and that are configured to wrap around a wearer and adjustably couple together such that the belt provides additional support to the garment. The straps can couple together in various ways, such as by being tied together, buckled, using fasteners, such as hook and loop fasteners, etc. The shape and length of the straps can vary based on the manner in which the coupling occurs. For example, in embodiments where the straps are tied together, the straps can have a length sufficient to wrap around a wearer&#39;s body and be securely tied together.  FIG. 5  illustrates hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro®, formed on an interior surface of the second strap  530 . Though the fasteners in this embodiment are situated only on an interior surface of the second strap, in other embodiments the fasteners can be located on the exterior surface, on both the interior and exterior surfaces, or on the first strap, as well. As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 7 , a first strap of the belt  520  can have a vertical slit  525  formed therethrough such that a second strap  530  can be threaded through the slit  525 . Alternatively, instead of a vertical slit, a D-ring can be located on the first strap through which the second strap can be threaded. The portion of the strap that contains the vertical slit or the D-ring can be reinforced such that damage from repeated threading and pulling of the first strap is minimized. While  FIG. 7  shows the second strap  530  being threaded through the vertical slit  525  from the exterior surface of the first strap  520  towards the interior surface, it will be understood that alternatively the second strap can be threaded from the interior surface towards the exterior surface of the first strap. After the second strap is threaded through the vertical slit, the second strap can be pulled to adjust a size of the belt. The second strap can be folded over on itself such that the fasteners on the second strap couple together and fix the belt at a desired size. In some embodiments, the garment  10  can have loops (not shown) through which the belt  500  can be threaded. In some embodiments, the belt  500  can be worn with various garments. The belt  500  can be formed from the same materials as the garment  10  or different materials. 
     The garments described above can be used to carry an infant against a wearer&#39;s chest allowing hands-free skin-to-skin kangaroo care.  FIGS. 8A-8D  illustrate an exemplary method of using the garments shown in  FIGS. 1-7 . A wearer can initially put his or her arms through the armholes such that a back panel of the garment is adjacent to and can rest on the wearer&#39;s back. A baby can be held directly against the wearer&#39;s chest such that the baby is facing the wearer, as shown in  FIG. 8A . A first front panel  130  can be drawn across the baby&#39;s back and fastened to the garment  110 , as illustrated by  FIGS. 8B and 8C . While  FIGS. 8B and 8C  show a free end  130   e  of the front panel  130  can be fastened to the garment  110  by hook and loop fasteners  160   a - d , various other fasteners can be used as described above. The baby&#39;s feet can be guided into an internal pocket  135  on the first front panel  130  to provide security against the baby slipping out from the bottom of the garment  110 . A portion of the baby within the internal pocket  135 , such as the baby&#39;s feet, for example, can be accessed via slit  138  while maintaining skin-to-skin contact. Drawing blood or taking the baby&#39;s temperature via the slit while maintaining skin-to-skin contact can allow convenience, by increasing stability and reducing the need to maneuver the baby, and can reduce the baby&#39;s pain perception. A top edge of the front panel can be tucked around the back of the baby&#39;s head or positioned around the head, similar to a hood, to provide support for the baby&#39;s head and neck and to ensure that the baby&#39;s breathing is unobstructed. As shown in  FIGS. 8C and 8D , an opposed second front panel  140  can be drawn across the baby&#39;s back from the opposite side and can overlap the first front panel  130  such that a neckline is formed to allow the baby to breathe comfortably. The second front panel  140  can be fastened to the garment  110  to secure the baby in hands-free, skin-to-skin contact with the wearer. As shown in  FIG. 8D , a belt  600  can be secured around the garment  110  to provide additional support for the baby, e.g., seated support. 
     One skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the invention based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. All publications and references cited herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.