US20040181918A1

US20040181918A1 - My third hand: a breastfeeding aide

Info

Publication number: US20040181918A1
Application number: US10/388,436
Authority: US
Inventors: Julie Croteau
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-03-17
Filing date: 2003-03-17
Publication date: 2004-09-23

Abstract

A device designed to simplify the breastfeeding process. The invention is particularly useful to a breastfeeding mother. The device holds the mother's shirt securely out of the way by hooking onto her bra and her shirt, thereby freeing her hands to hold her baby and making expensive maternity shirts unnecessary.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to breastfeeding mothers. The invention is a method to hold a mother's clothing securely out of the way during breastfeeding, freeing her hands to position the baby at her breast. It removes the awkward process of holding the shirt up with her neck while she manages her bra, the baby and the cover up. It also saves her money, as she no longer needs to purchase and wear expensive breastfeeding clothing.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention eases the difficulty mothers have managing the breastfeeding process. Women will no longer have to purchase expensive “maternity” shirts or manage a baby, a shirt, a bra and a light cover up all at the same time.

This breastfeeding aide hooks under the mother's shirt and allows her to pull the shirt up over her nipple. A smaller hook on the other end of the breastfeeding aid is used to hold the weight of the shirt by hooking onto a bra strap or shirt collar. There is a rotating center to the device that allows for various angles for the hooks.

It is an object of the current invention to take stress off of breastfeeding mothers by adding a “third hand” to secure her shirt. This device removes the physical stress of holding the shirt in place with her hand or with her neck. It removes the emotional stress of having too many tasks to handle at one time.

It is a further object of the current invention to make breastfeeding a less expensive endeavor for women. With this device, it will no longer necessary to purchase specialized clothing designed to open around the breast.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a side perspective of the device. The figure shows the 2 hooks (the larger hook for the shirt and the smaller hook for the shirt collar or bra strap), the gripping nature of the hooks and the adjustable, rotating center. FIG. 1 is not drawn to scale.[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Currently, a breastfeeding mother must positioning her squirming baby, pull her shirt up to expose her breast, and then open her bra to expose her nipple. An additional step of placing a light cover over the mother and child is often desired for privacy. This process involves impressive coordination and dexterity. These tasks would normally require [0010] 3 hands. Since women only have 2 hands, they use their neck to hold the shirt up until they can get a free hand to hold the shirt in place while their child nurses.
My device frees a woman from the crooked and stiff neck, which typically serves as her “third hand”, by holding a shirt or blanket in place. This breastfeeding aide hooks under the mother's shirt and allows her to pull the shirt up over her nipple. A smaller hook on the other end of the breastfeeding aid is used to hold the weight of the shirt by hooking onto a bra strap or shirt collar. This device removes the physical stress of holding the shirt in place with her hand or with her neck. It removes the emotional stress of having too many tasks to handle at one time. It removes the financial stress of having to purchase specific (and expensive) clothing to wear while she nurses. Since the average woman breastfeeds for 3 months, currently she must purchase, and plan to wear, this specialized clothing for quite some time. [0011]
The device is lightweight and it is composed of a no-slip plastic to grip both the shirt and the bra strap. It has a rotating center to allow for easy hooking action. Its length is adjustable. [0012]

Claims

I claim:

1. An adjustable breastfeeding aide comprising of:

(a) two hooks (a large hook to hold the shirt and a small hook to hold the bra strap or shirt collar);

(b) a rotating center which allows the hooks to turn 360 degrees;

(c) an adjustable center which allows for different lengths;

(d) a ridged inside of each hook which grips and holds the cloth of the shirt and bra.

2. A method of aiding a breastfeeding mother comprising the steps of:

(a) catch the bottom of a shirt with the large hook;

(b) pull the hook up, thereby bringing the shirt up over the breast;

(c) rotate the smaller hook to the proper angle to meet the bra strap or shirt collar;

(d) secure the shirt collar or bra strap with the smaller hook.