Infant swaddle and method of using thereof

Abstract

An infant swaddle, and method of using thereof. In accordance with an embodiment the swaddle comprises a body portion, wing portions, and either one or more, or a pair of, arm pockets positioned to the side of the infant's torso so that, when the infant is placed into the body portion and their arms placed into the arm pocket or pockets, the infant's arms are gently initially positioned outwards, with their hands upwards, generally along the orientation of the wings. The wings can then be folded over and fastened which gently folds and constrains the infant's arms in the pockets, so that their hands are positioned at the midline of their chest.

1 . A swaddle for an infant, comprising:
 a body portion for accepting and holding an infant;   a wing portion formed as part of, or permanently or removably attachable to the rear of, the body portion, and having wings capable of extending outwards from both sides of the body portion, and one or more arm pockets, for receiving the infant's arms; and   wherein the wings can then be folded over the infant and secured, to fold and constrain the infant's arms in the arm pockets so that their hands are positioned generally upwards near the midline of the infant's chest.   
     
     
         2 . The swaddle of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion is a sleep sack, and the wing portion is permanently or removably attachable to the sleep sack. 
     
     
         3 . The swaddle of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion is a body pocket, and the wing portion is generally formed as an extension of the body pocket. 
     
     
         4 . The swaddle of  claim 1 , wherein the wings are long enough so that when folded over the infant they can be knotted together to secure the infant in the swaddle. 
     
     
         5 . The swaddle of  claim 1 , wherein the wing portion includes a single large arm pocket, with openings generally at the sides of the body portion, for receiving the infant's arms when the infant is placed into the body portion. 
     
     
         6 . The swaddle of  claim 1 , wherein the wing portion includes a plurality of separate or discrete arm pockets generally at the sides of the body portion, for receiving the infant's arms when the infant is placed into the body portion. 
     
     
         7 . The swaddle of  claim 1 , wherein each of the body portion and wing portion are made of a light, stretchable material, such as elasticized cotton, fleece or muslin. 
     
     
         8 . The swaddle of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion is shaped to be wider at the hip to allow for some movement of the infant. 
     
     
         9 . The swaddle of  claim 1 , wherein the body portion includes a side or zip opening along one or more of its sides, which allows the infant to be easily accessed while swaddled. 
     
     
         10 . The swaddle of  claim 1 , wherein the wings include one or more fasteners for securing the wings when folded over the infant. 
     
     
         11 . The swaddle of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more fasteners are hook-and-loop fasteners. 
     
     
         12 . The swaddle of  claim 1 , wherein the wing portion includes one or more end fasteners and wing fasteners, on front and rear sides respectively of one of the wings, so that when that wing is folded the end fastener can be fastened to the wing fastener. 
     
     
         13 . The swaddle of  claim 12 , wherein the wing portion includes a plurality of wing fasteners, so that when that wing is folded the end fastener can be fastened to the plurality of wing fasteners. 
     
     
         14 . A swaddle for an infant, comprising:
 a body portion for accepting and holding an infant, wherein the body portion is a body pocket;   a wing portion, generally formed as an extension of the body pocket, and having wings capable of extending outwards from both sides of the body portion, and one or more arm pockets, for receiving the infant's arms, and wherein the wings include one or more fasteners for securing the wings when folded over the infant; and   wherein the wings can then be folded over the infant and secured, to fold and constrain the infant's arms in the arm pockets so that their hands are positioned generally upwards near the midline of the infant's chest.   
     
     
         15 . A swaddle for an infant, comprising:
 a body portion for accepting and holding an infant, wherein the body portion is a sleep sack;   a wing portion, permanently or removably attachable to the rear of, the body portion, and having wings capable of extending outwards from both sides of the body portion, and one or more arm pockets, for receiving the infant's arms, and wherein the wings include one or more fasteners for securing the wings when folded over the infant; and   wherein the wings can then be folded over the infant and secured, to fold and constrain the infant's arms in the arm pockets so that their hands are positioned generally upwards near the midline of the infant's chest.