Hands Free Nursing Bra for Preventing Suffocation and Method for Using the Same

Abstract

A bra for adjusting the orientation of the user's nipple when nursing, thus eliminating the danger of suffocation and giving the user a more complete peace of mind. Connected to the nursing bra is a soft strap that which permits the user to manually select how much the strap pushes on the breast. The strap is threaded through a loop near the center of the bra and then pulled across the excess breast tissue above the nipple, gently pushing it back and exposing the nipple. The strap is then securely fastened to itself after being disposed through a second loop that is located on an opposing side of the cup from the first loop. The mother can then feed the baby hands free. When not in use, the strap can be relaxed or loosened while still in the bra, thereby permitting the bra to operate as a normal support/nursing bra.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for safely nursing an infant comprising:
 at least one cup coupled to a band;   a first loop coupled adjacent to a first lateral edge of the at least one cup;   a second loop coupled adjacent to a second lateral edge of the at least one cup, wherein the second lateral edge is disposed on an opposite side of the at least one cup relative to the first lateral edge;   a support strap disposed within the apparatus; and   means for selectively adjusting a length of the support strap,   wherein the support strap is disposed through the first loop and the second loop.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a first panel coupled to the band and a second panel coupled to the band. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the support strap comprises a proximal end coupled to the second panel and wherein the second loop is coupled to the first panel. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the means for selectively adjusting the length of the support strap comprises a segment of hook and loop fabric disposed on a distal end of the support strap. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a shoulder strap coupled to the first panel. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the second panel is coupled to the band adjacent to the second lateral edge of the at least one cup. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one cup comprises means for selectively coupling to a shoulder strap. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the first panel and the second panel each comprise a shape to accommodate a surface of a breast of a user. 
     
     
         9 . A method for nursing an infant comprising:
 disposing a bra comprising at least one cup over a breast;   selectively adjusting a length of a support strap coupled to the bra;   applying pressure to the breast by the support strap to change the orientation of the breast;   locking the support strap into a desired position; and   exposing the breast to allow the infant to nurse.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 releasing the support strap from the desired position; 
 extending the support strap to a relaxed position; and 
 relocking the support strap at the relaxed position. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein disposing the bra comprising at least one cup over the breast comprises disposing a proximal portion of the support strap over a top portion of the breast and disposing a distal portion of the support strap over a front portion of the breast. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein selectively adjusting a length of the support strap disposed within the bra comprises:
 gripping a distal end of the support strap; and 
 pulling the distal end of the support strap so that the support strap applies a pressure to the breast until the breast is moved into a desired position. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein pulling the distal end of the support strap comprises:
 pulling the support strap through a first loop coupled adjacent to a first lateral edge of the cup; and 
 pulling the support strap through a second loop coupled adjacent to a second lateral edge of the cup, 
 wherein the first lateral edge of the cup is disposed on an opposing side of the cup from the second lateral edge of the cup. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  wherein locking the support strap into a desired position comprises coupling a distal end of the support strap to itself at a position selected from a plurality of available positions disposed along a length of the support strap. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein applying pressure to the breast by the support strap to change the orientation of the breast comprises applying a pressure to the top portion of the breast by the proximal portion of the support strap while simultaneously applying a pressure to the front portion of the breast by the distal portion of the support strap. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein pulling the support strap through the second loop coupled adjacent to a second lateral edge of the cup comprises pressing a first panel coupled to the second loop up against a surface of the breast. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein pulling the support strap through the first loop coupled adjacent to a first lateral edge of the cup comprises pressing a second panel coupled to the first loop up against a surface of the breast. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein locking the support strap into a desired position comprises folding the distal end of the support strap around the second loop and then coupling the distal end to a remaining portion of the support strap. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 9  wherein exposing the breast to allow the infant to nurse comprises uncoupling a portion of the cup from the bra and folding the cup downward. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein uncoupling a portion of the cup from the bra comprises uncoupling a top portion of the cup from a first panel disposed within the bra.