Infant head positioning device

Abstract

An infant head positioning device that provides back head support in order to prevent skull deformities, such as positional plagiocephaly, and provides support to the infant's head in other activities where back head support is needed. Generally, the infant head positioning device comprises: (1) a hat member made of soft, flexible, adjustable materials; and (2) one or more cushioning made of soft, pressure relieving materials placed in various positions in the back and sides of the hat member to redistribute and alleviate the pressure on the back of the infant's head. The cushioning pads can be placed either in the inside or outside of the hat member. In a preferred embodiment of the infant head positioning device, the top of the hat member has an open, aerated grid design that allows excess heat to dissipate.

1 . An infant head positioning device to (1) facilitate babies to sleep on their backs while providing back head support in order to prevent skull deformities, such positional plagiocephaly and muscular torticollis; (2) protect cervical muscles in car seats and strollers; facilitate breastfeeding or bottle feeding; (3) support reflux reduction; and (4) provide back head support whenever the baby is placed on any firm surfaces such as public changing tables. The invention comprises: a hat/cap member made of soft, flexible, adjustable materials; and positioning pads that are placed in various positions in the back and sides of the hat member to redistribute/alleviate the pressure on the back of the infant's head. The positioning inserts may be made of various types of pressure relieving material formed in various shapes and sizes with one or more openings/cut outs for ventilation (such as oval, circular, rectangular, or square). 
   
   
       2 . An infant head positioning device of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning inserts are placed on the outside or inside of the device, secured by two strips that attached onto the hat member. 
   
   
       3 . An infant head positioning device of  claim 1 , wherein the top of the hat is an aerating grid that allows for excess heat to dissipate. 
   
   
       4 . An infant head positioning device of  claim 1 , wherein the hat member is adjustable to fit the infant's head through the use of velcro materials located on the side of the hat member. 
   
   
       5 . An infant head positioning device to facilitate optimal latching during breastfeeding comprising: a hat member made of soft, flexible, adjustable materials; and positioning pads that are placed in various positions in the back and sides of the hat member to facilitate control and support of the baby's head during breastfeeding. The positioning inserts may be made of various types pressure relieving material formed in various shapes and sizes with one or more openings/cut outs for ventilation (such as oval, circular, rectangular, or square). 
   
   
       6 . An infant head positioning device of  claim 5 , wherein the top of the hat is an open, aerating grid that allows for excess heat to dissipate.