Patent Publication Number: US-11659941-B2

Title: Support assembly for infant

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS 
     Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     The present invention is directed to an infant support device, and more particularly to a support pad for an infant. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     The body parts most susceptible to injury in an infant&#39;s body are the head, neck, spine and spinal cord, particularly in newborn babies and infants up to 6 months old. To this day there is a possibility that challenges, from learning disabilities to Autism, may be caused from injury to the spinal cord at these early stages in an infant&#39;s life. Babies rely on their care takers (e.g., parents) to hold and support their head, spine, neck and spinal cord without jarring them, all the while comforting them, such as when swaddling them, and/or rocking them in their arms, and/or when the babies are laid down (e.g., on the bed, couch). A slight jar or jolt can possibly cause short term or long term (e.g., permanent) damage to the spinal cord, causing challenges later on in life for the child, such as learning disabilities and Autism. Also, when laid down on a surface (e.g., couch, bed, table), an infant can move and roll, potentially causing injury if the infant rolls off the couch or bed while the caregiver is distracted. 
     New parents and others can struggle to properly hold newborn babies in a way that adequately supports the baby&#39;s head, neck, spine and spinal cord, especially when the person has not previously held newborn babies. Further, laying infants on a surface (e.g., couch, bed) can have potential risks, as discussed above, when caregivers become distracted. Proper support to the head, neck, spine and spinal cord of the newborn baby is important and lack of such proper support can result in discomfort and even injury to the baby (e.g., injury to the head or spinal cord of the baby), as discussed above. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an improved system for ensuring proper support for the baby&#39;s head, neck, spine and spinal cord, while the infant is laid down on a surface, and that prevents the infant from rolling off said surface and suffering injury. 
     In accordance with one embodiment, an infant support pad is provided. The infant support pad comprises a body of resilient material having a generally planar bottom surface and a top surface that is inclined relative to the bottom surface between a proximal end and a distal end of the body such that the infant is in an inclined position when placed on the body. The top surface has a recessed surface portion that is generally planar along a central axis of the body and an opening in a distal portion of the body configured to receive at least a portion of an infant&#39;s head therethrough when the infant is placed on the body. The infant support pad also comprises a pair of raised side members on either side of the recessed surface portion configured to generally maintain the infant on the body and inhibit movement of the infant out of the body. 
     In accordance with another aspect, an infant support pad is provided. The infant support pad comprises a body of resilient material having a generally planar bottom surface and a top surface that is inclined relative to the bottom surface between a proximal end and a distal end of the body such that the infant is in an inclined position when placed on the body. The top surface has an opening in a distal portion of the body and curved surface configured to receive and support at least a portion of an infant&#39;s head that extends through the opening when the infant is placed on the body. The infant support pad also comprises a pair of raised side members on either side of the top surface configured to generally maintain the infant on the body and inhibit movement of the infant out of the body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective top view of one embodiment of a support pad. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective bottom view of the support pad of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a top planar view of the support pad of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    is a bottom planar view of the support pad of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  5 A  is a front elevation view of the support pad of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  5 B  is a rear elevation view of the support pad of  FIG.  1     
         FIG.  6    is a right side view of the support pad of  FIG.  1   , the left side view being a mirror image. 
         FIG.  7    is a longitudinal cross-section view of the support pad along line  7 - 7  in  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  8    is a transverse cross-section view of the support pad along line  8 - 8  in  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  9    is a top view of one embodiment of an infant support device for use with the support pad of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  10    is a top view of an infant in a swaddling blanket, which can include the infant support device of  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  11    is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a heating or cooling system for use with a support pad, as in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  12    is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a sound or vibration system for use with a support pad, as in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  13    is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a control system for a support pad, as in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective top view of one embodiment of a support pad and outer padded bed. 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective top view of one embodiment of the support pad and outer padded bed integrated in a combined bed. 
         FIG.  16    is a perspective top view of another embodiment of the support pad and outer padded bed integrated in a combined bed. 
         FIG.  17    is a perspective top view of yet another embodiment of the support pad and outer padded bed integrated in a combined bed. 
         FIG.  18    is a perspective top view of an inner insert or element that can be inserted into the combined bed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS.  1 - 8    show one embodiment of a support pad  100  that can be used to support a baby or infant. The support pad  100  can optionally be a monolithic piece (e.g., a single piece of material without seams) made of a resilient material. In one embodiment, the support pad  100  can optionally be made of polypropylene. In another embodiment, the support pad  100  can optionally be made of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). In other embodiments, the support pad  100  can be made of other elastomeric polymers, foam or other suitable resilient materials. In one embodiment, the support pad  100  is optionally formed using a mold (e.g., injection molded). In another embodiment, the support pad  100  can be formed using a 3D printing (or additive manufacturing) process. However, other suitable manufacturing processes can be used. 
     The support pad  100  can extend between a bottom end  12  and a top end  14  and can have a top surface  16  and a bottom surface  19 . The top surface  16  can be contoured and include a surface  16   a  that is recessed relative to a surrounding surface  16   b . The recessed surface  16   a  can extend along a central axis (e.g., be symmetrical about the central longitudinal axis) of the support pad  100 . The top surface  16  can also define an opening O therein that is configured to receive at least a portion of an infant&#39;s head therethrough. The top surface  16  can also have a curved surface  16   c  (e.g., concave surface) that can advantageously and comfortably support at least a portion of the infant&#39;s head that extends through the opening O. The top surface  16  can be generally inclined between the bottom end  12  and top end  14  of the support pad so that when resting on the support pad  100  the infant&#39;s head is in an elevated position (i.e., not horizontal). In one embodiment, the top surface  16  is generally inclined at an angle α between about 5 degrees and about 15 degrees. In one embodiment, the angle α can be about 7 degrees. When an infant is placed on the support pad  100 , such an inclined top surface  16  can advantageously aid in helping the infant fall asleep, can facilitate proper digestion, can aid in preventing acid reflux, and can facilitate breathing by the infant, all benefits described in medical literature. 
     The support pad  100  can have a pair of raised side members  18  on either side of the recessed surface  16   a , which have a height greater than a height of the portion of the top surface  16  that extends between the side members  18 . The raised side members  18  can advantageously retain the infant in place between the side members  18  and thereby inhibit (e.g., prevent) an infant from shifting out of the support pad  100  (e.g., the side members  18  can serve as anti-roll features that can prevent the infant from rolling out of the support pad  100 , thereby helping to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)). As best shown in  FIGS.  2 ,  4 , and  8   , the raised side members  18  can have openings  26  through which portions of a belt (not shown) can optionally extend and which can be fastened to each other over the infant to also aid in retaining the infant in place on the support pad  100 . The belt can be considered a 2-point harness as it secures the infant in place on the support pad  100  in two places, such as on either side of the infant&#39;s body. Such a belt can extend through channels  24  (see  FIG.  8   ) in the raised members  18  and along a recessed portion  20  of the bottom surface  19 . The recessed portion  20  can define a surface  22  that is recessed relative to the bottom surface  19 . The bottom surface  19  can be generally planar to provide stability to the support pad  100  when resting on a surface (e.g., a couch surface, table surface, surface of a bed). 
       FIG.  9    shows one embodiment of an infant support device  100 C that can optionally be used with the support pad  100 . The infant support device  100 C can have a body  10 C that extends from a proximal edge  12 C to a distal edge  14 C and between a medial edge and a lateral edge. In the illustrated embodiment, the proximal edge  12 C can be curved (e.g., extend along a curve between the medial and lateral edges) and the distal edge  14 C can be generally curved between the medial and lateral edges. The curved distal edge  14 C can more comfortably support the baby&#39;s or infant&#39;s lower spine. The body  10 C can have a top surface  11 C with a generally planar distal portion  18 C and a curved section  22 C at a proximal portion  20 C of the body. 
     A width  19 C of the body  10 C of the support device  100 C can narrow (e.g., decrease in width) between the proximal portion  20 C and the distal end  14 C. In the illustrated embodiment, the support device  100 C is shaped similar to a keyhole in top planar view (e.g., such that the medial and lateral edges of the body  10 C between the proximal and distal portions  20 C,  18 C are curved edges). In the illustrated embodiment, the width  19 C of the body narrows to a width smaller than a width at the distal end  14 C. Advantageously, the contoured width (e.g., narrower width  19 C of the body  10 C) allows the user to hold the newborn baby or infant closer to their body when the support device  100 C is incorporated into a blanket body B (see  FIG.  10   ), and facilitates holding the baby or infant more comfortably for the user when holding the swaddled baby or infant. Further details on embodiments of a baby support device  100 C can be found in U.S. application Ser. No. 14/997,979, filed Jan. 18, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and should be considered a part of this specification. 
     The recessed surface  16   a  of the support pad  100  is advantageously shaped to receive the support device  100 C so that the distal portion  18 C of the support device  100 C fits the recessed surface  16   a , and so that the curved section  22 C fits through the opening O in the top surface  16  and adjacent the curved surface  16   c  in the support pad  100 . In one embodiment, the support device  100 C can optionally be disposed in the recessed portion  16   a  of the support pad  100  to provide additional support to the baby or infant while lying on the support pad  100 . In another embodiment, the support pad  100  can be used without the support device  100 C. In still another embodiment, the baby or infant can be swaddled in a blanket B (see  FIG.  10   ) and then placed on the support pad  100 . Optionally, the blanket B can have a pocket that removably receives the support device  100 C. In still another embodiment, the baby or infant can be swaddled in the blanket B and placed on the support pad  100  with the support device  100 C between the blanket B and the support pad  100 . In still another embodiment, the blanket B can be used without the support device  100 C (e.g., the swaddled infant can be placed directly on the support pad  100 ). 
       FIG.  11    shows a schematic view of a heating or cooling system  300  having one or more heating or cooling elements  310  (e.g., resistive heating elements, thermoelectric elements such as Peltier elements micro chips, phase change material) that can be incorporated into (e.g., embedded in) the support pad  100  and/or support device  100 C to heat or cool a surface of the pad (e.g. top surface  16 ) to provide heating or cooling to the infant to increase their comfort while lying on the support pad  100 . In another embodiment, the one or more heating or cooling elements  310  can be provided on an outer surface of the support pad  100 . In still another embodiment, the heating or cooling system  300  can be in a separate component that can be removably coupled to the support pad  100 . 
     In one embodiment, the heating or cooling element  310  can include a fan that is separate from the support pad  100  and can flow air via one or more conduits (not shown) to the support pad  100 . In one embodiment, said one or more conduits can be placed in fluid communication with one or more flow passages through the body of the support pad  100  to direct air (e.g., heated air, cooled air) through said flow passages. The one or more flow passages can communicate with one or more ports or openings or perforations on the top surface  16  of the support body to direct air (e.g., heated air, cooled air) to the infant while on the support pad  100 . In one embodiment, heating or cooling element  310  can also include a heater or a cooler disposed downstream of the fan to heat or cool airflow from the fan before it enters the body of the support pad  100 . 
     The heating or cooling system  300  can include a switch  302  that can be actuated by a user to turn the heating or cooling system  300  ON and OFF. In one embodiment, the switch  302  can be provided on a surface (e.g., a bottom surface) of the support pad  100 . The switch  302  can communicate with a controller  304  (e.g., electronic controller) that controls operation of the one or more heating or cooling elements  310 . The heating or cooling system  300  can have one or more batteries  306  (e.g., low voltage batteries), that can provide power to the controller  304  and heating or cooling elements  310 . In one embodiment, the heating or cooling system  310  can include a temperature sensor (e.g. at the one or more heating or cooling elements  310  or on a surface of the support pad  100 ) that communicates sensed temperature information to the controller  304 . 
     In one embodiment, the controller  304  operates the one or more heating or cooling elements  310  a predetermined temperature set point. In another embodiment, the switch  302  can be operated by the user to select one of a plurality of temperature settings (e.g., low, medium, high), and the controller  304  can control the operation of the one or more heating or cooling elements  310  (e.g., control the amount of power provided by the one or more batteries  306  to the one or more heating or cooling elements  310 ) based upon the user selected temperature set point provided by the switch  302 . In one embodiment, the controller  304  can include (or can be) a temperature limiting switch that can shut power to the one or more heating or cooling elements  310  if a temperature limit of the switch is exceeded. The temperature limiting switch can normally be closed during operation of the heating system  300 , and can open if the temperature limit for the switch is exceeded. Advantageously, the heating or cooling system  300  can be selectively operated by a user to provide additional warmth for the baby and help keep the baby warm and comfortable in cold weather, or additional cooling to the baby to help keep the baby cool and comfortable in hot weather. 
       FIG.  12    shows a schematic view of a sound or vibration system  400  having one or more vibration elements  410  (e.g., speakers, such as piezo speakers). In one embodiment, the one or more vibration elements  410  can be incorporated within the support pad  100  (e.g., embedded in the support pad  100 ). In another embodiment, the one or more vibration elements  410  can be provided on an outer surface of the support pad  100 . In still another embodiment, the sound or vibration system  400  can be in a separate component (e.g., a sleeve) from the support pad  100  that is removably coupled to the support pad  100 . 
     The sound or vibration system  400  can include a switch  402  that can be actuated by a user to turn the sound or vibration system  400  ON and OFF. In one embodiment, the switch  402  can be provided on a surface (e.g., a bottom surface) of the support pad  100 . The switch  402  can communicate with a controller  404  (e.g., electronic controller) that controls operation of the one or more vibration elements  410 . The sound or vibration system  400  can have one or more batteries  406  (e.g., low voltage batteries), that can provide power to the controller  404  and vibration elements  410 . The sound or vibration system  400  can also include a memory  408  that can store one or more sounds or vibrations (e.g., heartbeat, breathing sound, custom songs), which can be downloaded via a wired connection or wireless connection (e.g., using WiFi, Bluetooth®, other RF communication) from an electronic device, such as a smartphone, tablet computer, laptop or desktop computer, such as via an app. The sound or vibration system  400  can communicate such one or more sounds with the one or more vibration elements  410  via the controller  404 . In one embodiment, the sound or vibration system  400  can allow the user to record user selected sounds (e.g., Mother&#39;s heartbeat, breathing, and/or voice) to the memory  408 . 
     In one embodiment, the controller  404  operates the one or more vibration elements  410  to provide a predetermined sound or vibration. In another embodiment, the switch  402  can be operated by the user to select one of a plurality of sound settings (e.g., heartbeat, breathing, ocean waves), and the controller  404  can control the operation of the one or more vibration elements  310  (e.g., control the amount of power provided by the one or more batteries  406  to the one or more vibration elements  410 , or the sound broadcast by the vibration elements  410  via the memory  408 ) based upon the user selected sound setting provided by the switch  402 . In one embodiment, the controller  404  can include a sound limiting switch that can shut power to the one or more vibration elements  410  if the sound level exceeds a predetermined decibel level. The sound limiting switch can normally be closed during operation of the sound or vibration system  400 , and can open if the decibel limit for the switch is exceeded. Advantageously, the sound or vibration system  400  can be selectively operated by a user to provide sounds and/or vibrations to comfort and soothe the baby while being supported on the support pad  100 . 
     In one embodiment, the support pad  100  can have the heating or cooling system  300  and the sound or vibration system  400  incorporated therein. 
       FIG.  13    shows a schematic of a control system  500  for the support pad  100 . The control system  500  can have a controller or control circuitry EM (e.g., the controller  304 ,  404 ). The controller EM can communicate with one or more heating/cooling elements or sound/vibration elements HC and one or more sensors S 1 -Sn, which can optionally be on or embedded in the body of the support pad  100 . The control system  500  can also have one or more power storage elements PS (e.g., batteries) that communicates with the controller EM. In one embodiment, the one or more power storage elements PS are rechargeable batteries. In another embodiment, the rechargeable batteries can be in a rechargeable battery pack that can be charged separately in a charging module. In another embodiment, the battery pack need not be removed and the support pad  100  can be placed on a recharging station. In one embodiment, the one or more power storage elements PS can be recharged via inductive coupling. In one embodiment, the recharging station can double as a night light. 
     In one embodiment, one or more of the sensors S 1 -Sn can include a weight or load sensor S 1  that can sense when an infant has been placed on the support pad  100 . In one embodiment, the weight sensor S 1  can also measure weight of the infant when the infant is laid on the support pad  100 . In one embodiment, one or more sensors S 1 -Sn can include a moisture sensor that can sense moisture to detect if an infant needs to be changed. In one embodiment, the controller EM can communicate the measured weight to the user or a remote electronic device (e.g., via a smartphone or tablet computer, laptop computer, etc.), such as to a database that can store the measured weight readings. 
     Optionally, the controller EM can operate one or more night lights  510  (e.g., LEDs) attached to or embedded in the support pad  100  when the load sensor S 1  indicates that an infant has been placed on the support pad  100 . In one embodiment, the night light  510  can be operated (by the controller EM) continuously while the load sensor S 1  senses that an infant is on the support pad  100 . In another embodiment, the light  510  can be operated (by the controller EM) for a predetermined period of time or for a time previously set by the user (e.g., preset on a timer). In another embodiment, the controller EM can communicate one or more signals (e.g., visual alarm, audio alarm) to the user (e.g., via a smartphone or tablet computer, laptop computer, etc.) if the load sensor S 1  senses that the infant is trying to exit the support pad  100 . 
     In one embodiment, the one or more sensors S 1 -Sn can include a sound sensor S 2 , which can sense if the baby is crying (e.g., if decibels are above a predetermined level). In one embodiment, the controller EM (e.g., controller  404 ) can operate one or more sound or vibration elements  410  to try to comfort the infant. In another embodiment, the controller EM can communicate one or more signals (e.g., visual alarm, sound alarm) to an interface UI 2  on a remote electronic device (e.g., smart phone, tablet computer) via a short range wireless interconnection BT (e.g., Bluetooth) or via the cloud CL (e.g., via a WiFi or cellular connection). In one embodiment, the user&#39;s electronic device (e.g., smart phone, tablet computer) may have a software app stored or loaded thereon that allows communication between the electronics on the support pad  100  and the remote electronic device. 
     In still another embodiment, the one or more sensors S 1 -Sn can include a motion sensor S 3 , which can sense motion by the baby while on the support pad  100 . In one embodiment, the controller EM can communicate one or more signals (e.g., visual alarm, sound alarm) to the interface UI 2  on the remote electronic device if the level of sensed movement is above a predetermined level (e.g., a level that may indicate that the infant may be awake or that the infant is trying to exit the support pad  100 ). 
     In still another embodiment, the one or more sensors S 1 -Sn can include a temperature sensor S 4 , which can sense a temperature of the baby while on the support pad  100 . In one embodiment, the temperature sensor S 4  is incorporated into the body of the support pad  100 . In another embodiment, the temperature sensor S 4  can be incorporated into the infant support device  100 C. In one embodiment, the controller EM can communicate one or more signals (e.g., visual alarm, sound alarm) to the interface UI 2  on the remote electronic device if the temperature sensed by the sensor S 4  is above a predetermined amount (e.g., a temperature amount that may indicate that the infant&#39;s temperature may be too high, like a fever, or may be too low). 
     In still another embodiment, the one or more sensors S 1 -Sn can include a heartrate sensor or monitor S 5 , which can sense a heart rate of the baby while on the support pad  100 . In one embodiment, the heartrate monitor or sensor S 5  can be incorporated into the body of the support pad  100 . In another embodiment, the temperature sensor S 4  can be incorporated into the infant support device  100 C. In one embodiment, the controller EM can communicate one or more signals (e.g., visual alarm, sound alarm) to the interface UI 2  on the remote electronic device and/or an interface on the support pad  100  if the sensed heartbeat is abnormal. 
     In one embodiment, the support pad  100  can be used as a sleeping pad to support the infant while sleeping or napping. In another embodiment, the support pad  100  can be used as a changing pad to support the infant while having their diaper or clothing changed. In still another embodiment, the support pad  100  can be used as a support pad for the infant while bathing. In some embodiments, the support pad  100  can have a width of between about 6 inches and about 20 inches, in one embodiment about 17 inches. In some embodiments, the support pad  100  can have a length of between about 10 inches and about 45 inches, in one embodiment about 32 inches. In some embodiments, the support pad  100  can have a thickness of between about 4 inches and about 6 inches, in one embodiment about 4 inches. In some embodiments, the support pad  100  can display an animated image. 
       FIGS.  14 - 18    show embodiments of a support pad  100  and outer padded bed  600  combination that can be used to support a baby or infant. 
     In some embodiments, the support pad  100  and outer padded bed  600  can be separate pieces. The outer padded bed  600  can extend from a top end  614  to a bottom end  612 . The outer padded bed  600  can have a top surface  616  and bottom surface  619 . The outer padded bed  600  can have an outer padding  616   b  positioned around at least the perimeter of the top end  614  and the sides of the outer padded bed  600 . The outer padding  616   b  can optionally also be positioned around the perimeter of the bottom end  616  of the outer padded bed  600 . The outer padding  616   b  can be positioned around the perimeter of the outer padded bed  600  to define an inner surface  616   a  to receive the support pad  100 . As shown in  FIG.  14   , the support pad  100  can be circumscribed by the inner surface  616   a . The inner surface  616   a  of the outer padded bed  600  may have a similar shape or profile of the support pad  100 . The inner surface  616   a  of the outer padded bed  600  may also receive a support pad  100  of various sizes and types. The support pad  100  can be secured to the outer padded bed  600  in various ways, such as with corresponding hook and loop type fasteners (e.g., VELCRO®). In one embodiment, the support pad  100  can include wells or recesses on the bottom surface  619  which receive or mate with corresponding shaped protrusions of the top surface  616  of the outer padded bed  600 . In another variation, the top surface  616  can have wells or recesses that receive or mate with corresponding shaped protrusions on the bottom surface of the support pad  100 . The protrusions can be shaped and positioned to prevent the support pad  100  from shifting or sliding in a lateral and/or longitudinal direction. Additionally, the size of the inner surface  616   a  can be appropriately sized and shaped such that the outer padding  616   b  can secure the support pad  100 . 
     As the infant matures and grows to a toddler or child, the toddler or child may outgrow the support pad  100  in size and may no longer need to be restrained. The support pad  100  can be removed and the outer padded bed  600  can be used as a miniature bed. The outer padding  616   b  can provide a protective perimeter around the toddler or child, who is positioned in the inner surface  616   a . The outer padding  616   b  can inhibit (e.g., prevent) the toddler or child from rolling off the bed. The outer padding  616   b  can also inhibit (e.g., prevent) others (e.g. parents) from rolling or laying on the toddler or child (e.g., where the outer padded bed  600  is placed on the bed the parents sleep on) by creating a protective barrier around the toddler or child. 
     The inner surface  616   a  of the outer padded bed  600  may be reversible such that either surface may be used as the top surface. In some embodiments, the top inner surface  616   a  may include features to secure the support pad  100  as described above (e.g. VELCRO® and/or protrusions). In some embodiments, the bottom inner surface  619   a  may padded or cushioned for the toddler or child, for use without the support pad  100 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  15 - 17   , the support pad  100  and outer padded bed  600  can be integrated in a combined bed  700 , such that the components are a singular piece. The features of the support pad  100  is built into the inner surface  716   a  formed by the outer padding  716   b . The top surface  716  can be contoured and include a surface  16   a  that is recessed relative to a surrounding surface  16   b . The recessed surface  16   a  can extend along a central axis (e.g., be symmetrical about the central longitudinal axis) of the combined bed  700 . The top surface  716  of the bed  700  can also have a curved surface  16   c  (e.g., concave surface) that can advantageously and comfortably support at least a portion of the infant&#39;s head that extends through the opening O. Similar to the previous embodiments, the top surface  716  can optionally be generally inclined between the bottom end  712  and top end  714  so that when resting within the top surface  716  of the recess  16   c  the infant&#39;s head is in an elevated position (i.e., not horizontal). The system  700  can have a pair of raised side members  18  on either side of the recessed surface  16   a , which have a height greater than a height of the portion of the top surface  716  that extends between the side members  18 . The raised side members  18  can advantageously retain the infant in place between the side members  18  and thereby inhibit (e.g., prevent) an infant from shifting out of the combined bed  700  (e.g., the side members  18  can serve as anti-roll features that can prevent the infant from rolling out of the combined bed  700 , thereby helping to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)). 
     The dimensions and position of the various features of the combined bed  700  can vary for different user sizes, as shown in  FIGS.  15 - 17   . For example, the length of the combined bed  700  may be longer for a taller or longer user (e.g. the infant, toddler, or child) as shown in  FIG.  17   . 
     Similar to the system shown  FIGS.  1 - 8   , as best shown in  FIGS.  2 ,  4 , and  8   , the system shown in  FIGS.  14 - 18   , the raised side members  18  can have openings through which portions of a belt (not shown) can optionally extend and which can be fastened to each other over the infant to also aid in retaining the infant in place on the inner surface  716   a . Such a belt can extend through channels (not shown) in the raised members  18  and along a recessed portion (not shown) of the bottom surface  719 . In some examples, the belt (not shown) can be a 2-point harness to extend through the channels (not shown) through the slots  26  of the raised members  18 . The 2-point harness can accommodate different sizes of infants, such as various lengths. In some examples, the belt (not shown) can be a 3-point harness to extend through the channels (not shown) through the slots  26  of the raised members  18  and the slot  27  of the bottom portion of the support pad  100 . The 3-point harness can further secure the infant and prevent the infant from sliding down the incline of the support pad. The recessed portion can define a surface that is recessed relative to the bottom surface  719 . 
     In some embodiments, an inner insert or element  800  can be inserted into the combined bed  700  as shown in  FIG.  18   . The inner element  800  can be inserted and positioned within the combined bed  700  to form the raised member  18 . The combined bed  700  can be inflatable or made of a flexible material to receive the inner element  800 , which can provide the shape and structure of the raised side members  718 . Various shaped and sized inner elements  800  can be used specific to the size and shape of the user. In some embodiments, the inner element  800  can be removed from the combined bed  700  to provide a flat surface for the user. 
     The bottom surface  719  can be generally planar to provide stability to the combined bed  700  when resting on a surface (e.g., a couch surface, table surface, surface of a bed). 
     In some embodiments, the inner surface  716   a  of the combined bed  700  can be reversible, such that the features of the top surface  716  (e.g. the recessed surface  16   a , the surrounding surface  16   b , and the curved surface  16   c ) can be positioned on the top surface  716  or the bottom surface  719  of the combined bed  700 . 
     Similar to the support pad  100 , the outer padded bed  600  and the combined bed  700  can optionally be a monolithic piece (e.g., a single piece of material without seams) made of a resilient material. In some embodiments, the outer padded bed  600  and the combined bed  700  can optionally be made of polypropylene. In another embodiment, the outer padded bed  600  and the combined bed  700  can optionally be made of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). In other embodiments, the outer padded bed  600  and the combined bed  700  can be made of other elastomeric polymers, foam or other suitable resilient materials. In one embodiment, the outer padded bed  600  and the combined bed  700  is optionally formed using a mold (e.g., injection molded). In another embodiment, the outer padded bed  600  and the combined bed  700  can be formed using a 3D printing (or additive manufacturing) process. However, other suitable manufacturing processes can be used. 
     While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the systems and methods described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present inventions is defined only by reference to the appended claims. 
     Features, materials, characteristics, or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment, or example are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described in this section or elsewhere in this specification unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The protection is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The protection extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. 
     Furthermore, certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of a sub combination. 
     Moreover, while operations may be depicted in the drawings or described in the specification in a particular order, such operations need not be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Other operations that are not depicted or described can be incorporated in the example methods and processes. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the described operations. Further, the operations may be rearranged or reordered in other implementations. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments, the actual steps taken in the processes illustrated and/or disclosed may differ from those shown in the figures. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the steps described above may be removed, others may be added. Furthermore, the features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Also, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features are described herein. Not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. 
     Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. 
     Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z. 
     Language of degree used herein, such as the terms “approximately,” “about,” “generally,” and “substantially” as used herein represent a value, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, or characteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “generally,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount. As another example, in certain embodiments, the terms “generally parallel” and “substantially parallel” refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to 15 degrees, 10 degrees, 5 degrees, 3 degrees, 1 degree, or 0.1 degree. 
     The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by the specific disclosures of preferred embodiments in this section or elsewhere in this specification, and may be defined by claims as presented in this section or elsewhere in this specification or as presented in the future. The language of the claims is to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to the examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive.