Restraining device and method of its use to assist in breast feeding

Abstract

A device and method including the steps of placing a flexible restraint around the mother's neck, or secured to the inside of the mother's shirt, inserting a portion of the restraint under the shirt, pulling a portion of the restraint passed a bottom edge of the shirt and passed the exterior side of the shirt, and securing the restraint so that the shirt is raised above at least one breast to facilitate nursing.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method of assisting a mother to lift a top worn by the mother to permit a child to breast feed, said top having an interior side, an exterior side, and a bottom edge, comprising the steps of: 
 placing a flexible material forming a closed loop around the mother's neck, a first portion of said loop positioned behind said neck defining a top portion of said loop;    inserting said loop under the mother's top between the mother's body and said interior side of said top, a second portion of said loop farthest from said top portion defining a bottom portion of said loop;    raising said top of said mother to expose at least one breast;    lifting said bottom portion of said loop passed said bottom edge of said top and passed said exterior side of said top; and,    looping said bottom portion of said loop over the mother's neck such that said top portion and said bottom portion are in close proximity to each other behind the mother's neck whereby said top is secured above the breast to permit the child to nurse without the top falling in the nursing activity.    
     
     
         2 . A method of assisting a mother to lift a shirt worn by the mother to permit a child to breast feed, said shirt having an interior side, an exterior side, and a bottom edge, the mother having a neck, comprising the steps of: 
 placing a flexible restraint having a top portion and a bottom portion in a position so that said top portion is supported by said neck;    inserting said restraint under said shirt so that said restraint is positioned on said interior side of said shirt;    lifting said bottom portion of said restraint to pass by said bottom edge of said shirt and to pass by said exterior side of said shirt; and,    securing said bottom portion of said restraint about said neck to prevent said shirt from falling down during nursing.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said flexible restraint is formed of more than one loop.  
     
     
         4 . A method of assisting a mother to lift a shirt worn by the mother to permit a child to breast feed, said shirt having an interior side, an exterior side, and a bottom edge, the mother having a neck, comprising the steps of: 
 placing a flexible restraint around the mother's neck;    inserting a portion of said restraint under said shirt so that said restraint is positioned on said interior side of said shirt;    pulling the portion of said restraint passed said bottom edge of said shirt and passed a portion of said exterior side of said shirt; and,    securing said portion of said restraint on said exterior side of said shirt so that said shirt is raised above at least one breast to facilitate nursing.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said flexible restraint is formed of two loops secured by a tether therebetween.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said flexible restraint is formed of two intertwined loops.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said flexible restraint comprises a loop with a web spanning said loop; 
 said loop having a first fastener and said web having a second fastener, said first fastener being complimentary to said second faster.  
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said flexible restraint is formed of one loop with a tether attached at one point thereto.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said tether has an attached end and a free end; 
 said attached end has a first fastener and said free end having a second fastener, said first fastener is complementary with said second fastener.