WO2012076889A1

WO2012076889A1 - Infant sleep sling with seat

Info

Publication number: WO2012076889A1
Application number: PCT/GB2011/052429
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vincent Reid
Original assignee: Developmental Solutions Ltd
Priority date: 2010-12-08
Filing date: 2011-12-08
Publication date: 2012-06-14
Also published as: GB201020778D0; GB2486237A

Abstract

Infant Sleep Sling with Seat A sling for supporting an infant, the sling comprising an infant support element attachable to a harness, which in use is worn by a carrier, and wherein the support element receives and supports the infant such that the longitudinal axes of the infant and the carrier are substantially aligned and the infant lies at an angle above the horizontal in a range which allows the infant and carrier to engage eye contact, and wherein the support element includes a seat and wherein the seat provides a first surface adapted to support an infant and a second surface adapted to engage with the carrier and wherein the second surface is so configured that when engaged with the carrier the support element is necessarily positioned in the said range.

Description

Infant Sleep Sling with Seat

Field of the Invention

The present application relates to a sling for supporting an infant, and in particular to a sling which is adapted to support an infant in a position which is conducive to induce sleep in the infant.

Background of the Invention

Many infants experience a condition known as "colic". The condition is not well understood and is used to describe stomach and intestinal pain with no other obvious cause. Colic affects infants most between 6 and 12 weeks of age. It is reported that over 70% of infants between these ages experience substantial colic pain. In addition to experiencing pain, an infant suffering from colic will find it difficult to sleep. The period between 6 and 12 weeks of age coincides with the period when a child's sleep patterns are formed. Colic pain often disrupts sleep patterns. Such disruption in the 6 to 12 week old range can result in disrupted sleep patterns throughout infancy and the preschool years.

In addition to colic preventing infants from sleeping, in the period between 6 to 12 weeks of age, infants are increasingly awake during the day, which can lead to them becoming over tired in the evening, when the parent wants the infant to sleep. This over tiredness can prevent the infant from being able to get to sleep, which is manifested by the infant crying excessively, and needing to be held. It is reported that 42% of parents with a child in the age range of 6 to 12 weeks need to hold their child for over one hour in order to induce sleep. This can give rise to back pain, fatigue and stress in the parent.

Research also shows that infants suffering from colic are more likely to be abused or not well cared for, owing to parental depression resulting from lack of sleep of the parents.

The problems outlined above are widely acknowledged and hence many solutions have already been proposed. It is also known that young infants exhibit a characteristic known as "sticky attention". For example, if an infant is in a room with a light and is being rocked, and if the light catches the infant's gaze it will follow the light with its eyes as it is rocked. This phenomenon is explained by the immaturity of the frontal cortex of the brain in the first postnatal year and means that the infant cannot disengage from stimuli, such as a bright light in a dark room by moving its gaze away from the stimuli. The infant's mechanism for disengaging is to close its eyes and go to sleep.

In addition to exhibiting "sticky attention" infants may also be over-stimulated if they receive too much information, such as light or sound. The infant's brain cannot process all the information being received. The infant's mechanism for disengaging from the source of over-stimulation is to close the eyes and go to sleep. Over stimulation and sticky attention are inter-related phenomena.

A sling for supporting an infant in a position such that sleep is induced in the infant is described in the inventors international patent application published under number WO2009/090427. The sleep sling described supports the infant in a particular position, which assists in inducing sleep for infants up to 12 months of age. The infant is positioned such that the infant's bottom rests on the abdomen of the carrying person and the infant's legs rest to the sides of the carrier's abdomen.

The sleep sling is effective in supporting an infant in a position which assists in inducing sleep. However, it has been found that the infant may slide down the support, becoming hunched in its upper body. Also, some users have not been confident to hold the infant safely when releasing the sling from the harness when putting the infant to bed.

It would therefore be desirable to provide an improved sleep sling which supports the infant in a particular position, which assists in inducing sleep, yet which is more convenient to use and which prevents the infant from sliding down the sling. To induce sleep, the distance between the eyes of the infant and the eyes of the carrier should ideally be in the range of 20 to 50cm, which corresponds to the focal range of an infant. The focal range of a younger infant will be towards the lower end of the range, with the focal range of the infant increasing as it grows older. In order to facilitate this, the infant should be supported at an angle of inclination not below a first angle above the horizontal and not above a second angle above the horizontal, for example the infant may be supported so that it lies inclined between 25 and 65 degrees from the horizontal. It has been found that an angle of inclination of about 45 degrees to the horizontal is preferable in most circumstances. However, where an infant is suffering from colic, a more upright orientation may be preferred, for example in the range 40 to 65 degrees from the horizontal, and more preferably 45 to 60 degrees. These angles of inclination to present the infant such that the distance between the infant's and the adult's eyes is correct will in fact change depending on the size and age of the infant, the size and shape of the carrier, and the vertical position of the support on the carrier.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a sling for supporting an infant, the sling comprising an infant support element attachable to a harness, which in use is worn by a carrier, and wherein the support element receives and supports the infant such that the longitudinal axes of the infant and the carrier are substantially aligned and the infant lies at an angle above the horizontal in a range which allows the infant and carrier to engage eye contact, and wherein the support element includes a seat and wherein the seat provides a first surface adapted to support an infant and a second surface adapted to engage with the carrier and wherein the second surface is so configured that when engaged with the carrier the support element is necessarily positioned in the said range.

Preferably, the angular range of inclination is 25 to 65 degrees from the horizontal, and preferably 45 degrees. The angular range of inclination may be 35 to 65 degrees from the horizontal, or 35 to 40 degrees from the horizontal, and preferably 45 to 60 degrees from the horizontal. This more upright orientation is preferred for infants suffering from colic.

Preferably, the first surface of the seat lies perpendicular or downward from perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal axis of the support element. The first surface of the seat may lie at an angle in the range of zero to forty five degrees downward from said perpendicular. Preferably, the first surface of the seat lies at an angle in the range of zero to ten degrees downward from said perpendicular.

The seat may include third surfaces to either side of the seat.

The support element preferably includes a base, which may be semi-rigid.

The support element may include fasteners attachable to a harness, and the fasteners may be so positioned on the support element that when the harness is worn by a carrier and the support element attached thereto, the second surface of the seat lies substantially flat against the stomach of the carrier with the support element positioned in the said range.

Advantageously, the support element includes a base and sides extending upwardly therefrom. Preferably, the sides are arranged to pivot with respect to the base. The support element may include fastening means configured to fasten the sides in a selected position. The sides may each include an end portion arranged to pivot with respect to the plane of the side. A part of the fastening means is mounted on the end portion of the side.

The base may include an end portion arranged to pivot with respect to the plane of the base. Part of the fastening means may be mounted on the end portion of the base.

Preferably, the support element includes a harness adapted to secure an infant thereto.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, and are by way of example:

Figure 1 is an illustration of an infant being supported in a position which alleviates colic and induces sleep:

Figure 2 is an illustration of a sling of the prior art in which an infant is supported; Figure 3 is a plan view of a sleep sling according to the present invention in a first configuration;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the sleep sling illustrated in Figure 3 in a second configuration; Figure 5 is a side view of the sleep sling illustrated in Figures 3 and 4;

Figure 6a is a schematic representation of an upper part of the sleep sling illustrated in Figures 3 to 5;

Figure 6b is a schematic representation of a lower part of the sleep sling illustrated in Figures 3 to

6 a;

Figure 6c is a schematic representation of a lower part of the sleep sling with an alternative seat construction;

Figure 6d is a schematic representation of a lower part of the sleep sling with another alternative seat construction;

Figure 7 is a side view of the sleep sling illustrated in Figures 3 to 6b;

Figure 8 is a side view of the sleep sling having a different seat construction to that illustrated in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a side view of the sleep sling having the seat construction illustrated in Figure 6c; and

Figure 10 is a side view of the sleep sling having the seat construction illustrated in Figure 6d.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 illustrates an infant being supported by an adult carrier such that the infant's bottom rests on the abdomen of the carrier and the infant's legs rest to the sides of the carrier's abdomen. This is the position which has been found to both alleviate colic and induce sleep in infants. However, holding an infant in the position shown in this Figure, even a young infant, would result in tiredness in the adult after a relatively short time. Further, the carrier may begin to experience back pain and cannot utilise his or her hands in any other way than holding the infant.

Figure 2 (fig 7 in prior art) illustrates a sleep sling of the prior art.

Referring now to Figure 3, the sleep sling 1 of the invention comprises a base 2 at the foot of which there is situated a seat 3 which is attached to the base 2. The seat 3 may be an integral part of the base 2, or otherwise attached to the base 2. Side walls 4 extend from the base 2 and are hinged 4a with respect thereto. A top wall 5 extends from the upper edge of base 2 and is hinged 5a with respect thereto.

By providing hinges 4a between the base 2 and the side walls 4, the side walls 4 may be moved between raised and lowered configurations as illustrated respectively in Figures 3 and 4. Securing means to secure the side walls in the raised configuration may be provided, as is described in greater detail below with reference to Figures 6a and 6b. Securing means may also be provided to secure the side walls in an intermediate configuration where the side walls 4 are partially raised with respect to the base 2.

In the lowered position, the walls may lie in substantially the same plane as the plane of the base 1. This allows the infant to lie flat on its back with its arms and legs out to the sides unconstrained by the sling. When the infant is being carried in the sling by the carrier in a position as shown in Figure 2, the side walls 4 may be raised up so as to enclose the infant. Whilst this is not strictly necessary for the safety of the infant, it does prevent the infant catching a limb on an object that it brushes past for instance.

As can be seen from Figure 4, the sling 1 includes a harness 6, which allows the infant to be secured to the sling 1. When the infant is supported in the sleep sling 1 and the sling is attached to the harness worn by a carrier, it is important that the infant is secured in the sling 1 by harness 6. However, when the infant has fallen asleep and the sling 1 placed on a substantially flat surface, if it is safe to do so, the harness 6 may be released to allow the infant more freedom of movement. Referring now to Figure 5, the sling 1 is illustrated with sides 4 raised. The sides 4 include an opening 7, and are provided with attachment elements 8a, 8b for attachment of the sling 1 to a harness worn by a carrier. The provision of openings 7 allows the carrier to touch the infant in the sling 1. For example, the carrier may massage the infant through the openings 7 to alleviate the symptoms of colic.

Figure 5 also illustrates the shape of seat 3. The surface 3a upon which the infant's bottom rests is configured such that it lies at an angle δ to the reference line y-y, which with the sleep sling lying horizontal is oriented substantially vertically. The angle δ is small, approximately 5 degrees. The purpose of setting the seat surface 3a at such an angle is to prevent the infant lifting itself off the seat 3. When an infant is secured in the sling by harness 6, with the seat surface 3a so angled it is difficult for the infant to lift itself off the seat 3. Hence, the infant is prevented from wriggling down the sling 1 and is supported in a particular position which assists in inducing sleep. Also, because the infant is prevented from becoming hunched by the combination of the seat 3 and the harness 6, the infant's airways are kept more open and the infant is less prone to colic pain.

Referring now to Figures 6a and 6b, these drawings illustrate in greater detail the upper and lower parts of the sling 1. The upper part provides means to support the side walls 4 in a number of different orientations. The side walls 4 are shown lying in their natural position of repose, which may be coplanar with the base 2. However, fasteners 7a, 7b and 7c provide for the side walls 4 to be supported in different orientations. When the fastener 7a of side wall 4 is attached to fastener 7c of top wall 5, the side walls 4 lie at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the base 2. When the fastener 7a of the side wall 4 is attached to the fastener 7b of the top wall 5, the side walls 4 lie at an angle of approximately 60 degrees to the base 2. The specific angles are not essential to the invention. Where moveable side walls 4 are provided it is desirable that a position be provided where the side walls lie substantially upright with respect to the base. It may also be desirable that a position be provided where the side walls 4 are secured in a splayed position with respect to the base, at an angle of between 30 and 60 degrees to the base 2. In such a configuration the infant has more room to move its arms and legs, yet is nevertheless still offered some protection by the side walls 4. In the illustrated example, the fasteners 7a, 7b, 7c are press studs. However, other fasteners may be used. For example, the fasteners 7a, 7b and 7c may be elements of cooperating hook and claw material, other stud type fasteners, or buckle type fasteners.

Also evident from Figure 6a is that the end portions of side walls 4 are formed into tabs 4c, hinged relative to side walls 4 at hinges 4b. It should be noted that hinges 4a and 4b may be formed in a multitude of different ways, depending to a great extent on the material from which the base 2, side walls 4 and end wall 5 are fabricated. In the present example, the base 2, side walls 4 and end wall 5 are fabricated from a laminated plastics material, and the hinges 4a, 4b are formed of the laminated plastics material. This laminated plastics material is stiff both longitudinally and laterally. However, whilst being stiff, the material is not rigid. The hinges may be stamped into the material, and/or portions of the material along the hinge lines 4a, 4b may be removed.

The stiffness of the base 2 assists in supporting the infant and in particular the infant's back and head, whereas a base with little stiffness, formed of fabric for instance, would not provide such support. The stiffness of the base 2 may be increased by the addition of stiffening members. One or more ribs extending in the longitudinal and/ or lateral directions may be provided, for example on the underside of the base.

A base 2 that is stiff at least in the longitudinal direction of the base may be comprised of fabric having elongate rods extending in the longitudinal direction of the base. The rods may be house in pockets or tabs attached to the fabric.

Figure 6b illustrates the seat 3, which comprises a surface 3a, which supports the infant's bottom as described above, side walls 3b and a surface 3c. The surface lies at an angle of about 45 degrees to the plane of the base 2, but may be configured such that the angle is between 25 degrees and 65 degrees, for example in the range 40 to 65 degrees, or 45 to 60 degrees or 50 to 55 degrees, and includes a lower edge 3c' and an upper edge 3c", which intersects with the surface 3a. As can be seen from Figure 6b, the surface 3c is wider at its lower edge 3c' than at its upper edge 3c". The surface 3a has sides which are substantially parallel. The angle of inclination of the surface 3c to the base 2 provides a reference for the carrier to aid in positioning the carrier correctly so that the infant is supported in the correct orientation with respect to the carrier to assist in inducing sleep. When the sling 1 is attached to a harness worn by a carrier, the surface 3c lies against the stomach of the carrier. The orientation of the sling in an in use position can be adjusted so that the infant lies at an angle of 45 to 60 degrees to the vertical axis of the carrier.

Also evident from Figure 6b is the shape of the lower edge of the base 2, which includes parts 2a extending upward from the back of the seat surface 3a. The angle of inclination of the parts 2a is selected to lie substantially perpendicular to an infant's leg that is splayed outward due to the interaction between the infant and carrier, so that infant's leg may bend comfortably at the knee. In use, the infant's bottom rests on and is supported by the seat surface 3a, with the infant's legs lying to either side of the seat 3. Movement of the infant's legs towards each other is limited by the surfaces 3b of the seat 3.

Figure 7 illustrates the sling 1 in an upright orientation. From this Figure, the angles of the surface 3c of seat 3 with respect to the base 2 of the sling 1, and the seat surface 3a with respect to the plane of the base 2 may be appreciated.

Figure 8 illustrates the support element 1 in which the surface 3c is curved, rather than planar as shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 illustrates the support element 1 where the surface 3c comprises a plurality of flat regions.

The shapes of surfaces 3c in Figures 8 and 9 may be more comfortable for the carrier than that shown in Figure 7.

Figure 10 illustrates an alternative form of seat 3, which provides a seat surface 3a. The free end of the seat 3 has a rounded face 3a'. In use this engages with the carrier. A member 3h having a rounded surface is situated at the lower end of the base 2 and below the seat 3. The included angle between the longitudinal axis of the base 2 and an axis extending through the rounded end face 3a' and the member 3h is between 45 and 60 degrees.

In use, the surface 3c lies against the stomach of the carrier, preferably in the region of the solar plexus.

The sleep sling of the present invention supports the infant therein such that it is prevented from slipping down the sling. Further, the configuration of the seat ensures that the sling is comfortable for the carrier when the infant is positioned so as to induce sleep, i.e. with the infant lying at an angle of between 45 and 60 degrees with respect to the vertical axis of the carrier, which positions the infant so that its eyes are substantially aligned with the eyes of the carrier and that the distance between the eyes of the infant and the eyes of the carrier is in the range of 30 and 40 cm.

Claims

1. An infant support element attachable to a harness, wherein the support element includes a back having an upper end and a lower end and a seat situated towards the lower end of the back, wherein the back is stiff at least in the longitudinal direction thereof, and wherein the seat provides a support surface adapted to support an infant, the support surface lying on a plane that intersects the longitudinal axis of the back such that the included angle between the said plane of the support surface and the longitudinal axis of the back is not less than ninety degrees, and wherein the support element includes engagement means to engage with a carrier of the support element.

2. An infant support element according to Claim 1, wherein the included angle between the plane of the support surface and the longitudinal axis of the back is between 45 and 90 degrees.

3. An infant support element according to Claim 2, wherein the included angle between the plane of the support surface and the longitudinal axis of the back is between 80 and 90 degrees.

4. An infant support element according to Claim 3, wherein the included angle between the plane of the support surface and the longitudinal axis of the back is 85 degrees.

5. An infant support element according to any preceding claim, wherein the seat includes side surfaces to either side of the support surface.

6. An infant support element according to Claim 5, wherein the side surfaces lie at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the back.

7. An infant support element according to any preceding claim, wherein the back of the support element is stiff in both its longitudinal and lateral directions.

8. An infant support element according to any preceding claim, wherein the engagement means includes a first part distal from the back of the support element and a second part proximal the back of the support element and situated towards the lower end of the back and below the seat, and wherein the included angle between the longitudinal axis of the back and an axis extending through the said first and second parts is acute

9. An infant support element according to Claim 8, wherein the included angle between the longitudinal axis of the back and an axis extending through the said first and second parts is in the range of 25 to 65 degrees, or 25 to 45 degrees, or 30 to 45 degrees.

10. An infant support element according to any preceding claim, wherein the support element includes fasteners attachable to a harness.

11. An infant support element according to any preceding claim, wherein the support element includes a base and sides extending upwardly therefrom.

12. An infant support element according to Claim 11, wherein the sides are arranged to pivot with respect to the base.

13. An infant support element according to Claim 11 or 12, wherein the support element includes fastening means configured to fasten the sides in a selected position.

14. An infant support element according to any of Claims 11 to 13, wherein the sides each include an end portion arranged to pivot with respect to the plane of the side.

15. An infant support element according to Claim 14 when dependent on Claim 13, wherein a part of the fastening means is mounted on the end portion of the side.

16. An infant support element according to any of Claims 10 to 15, wherein the base includes an end portion arranged to pivot with respect to the plane of the base.

17. An infant support element according to Claim 16, wherein a part of the fastening means is mounted on the end portion of the base.

18. An infant support element according to any preceding claim, further including an infant harness arranged to secure an infant to the support element.

19. A sling including an infant support element according to any preceding claim and a carrier harness attachable to the infant support element, which harness in use is worn by a carrier.

20. A sling according to Claim 19 when dependent on Claim 10, wherein the fasteners are so positioned on the support element that when the harness is worn by a carrier and the support element attached thereto, the engagement means lies substantially flat against the stomach of the carrier with the support element positioned such that the infant lies at an angle above the horizontal in a range which allows the infant and carrier to engage eye contact.

21. An infant support element substantially as shown in, and as described with reference to, the drawings.

22. A sling substantially as shown in, and as described with reference to, the drawings.