Garment

Abstract

A method is provided for designing a garment having a plurality of surfaces. The method includes selecting at least one surface from the plurality of surfaces to serve as a tactile stimulating surface. The method further includes selecting a texture for the at least one surface, different from that of at least a majority of the plurality of surfaces, configured to provide tactile stimulation to a touch sensing organ.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for designing a garment for a person holding a baby, the garment having surfaces, the surfaces being divisible into selectable regions, the method comprising:
 selecting a first region from said surfaces likely to be touched by involuntary and reflex movements or voluntary movements of said baby to serve as a tactile stimulating surface; and
 selecting a texture to apply to said first tactile stimulating surface to provide said region with tactile stimulation which is different from tactile stimulation provided by unselected parts of said surfaces, thereby to provide a garment worn by a person holding a baby, which garment comprises elements providing tactile stimulation to said baby when held. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising using a detachable texture. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selecting a smell for integrating with said texture. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising selecting at least one further region from said surfaces, based on said observations, said further region also being likely to be touched by said voluntary or involuntary or reflex movements, to serve as a further tactile stimulating surface; and
 applying a texture to said at least one further tactile stimulating surface to provide tactile stimulation which is different from tactile stimulation provided by unselected parts of said surfaces.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said texture applied to said further tactile stimulating surface is different from said texture applied to said first tactile stimulating region. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising adding a visual stimulating element to at least one of said selected surfaces. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising a tactile stimulating surface applied to an inner surface of said garment. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising providing coupling means for detachably attaching said texture and/or comprising providing marking on said garment pointing out said locations obtained by said observations. 
     
     
         9 . A kit of parts for a method of designing a garment for a person holding a baby, the garment having surfaces, the surfaces being divisible into selectable regions, the method comprising:
 selecting a first region from said surfaces likely to be touched by involuntary and reflex movements or voluntary movements of said baby to serve as a tactile stimulating surface; and   selecting a texture to apply to said first tactile stimulating surface to provide said region with tactile stimulation which is different from tactile stimulation provided by unselected parts of said surfaces, thereby to provide a garment worn by a person holding a baby, which garment comprises elements providing tactile stimulation to said baby when held.   
     
     
         10 . A kit comprising a baby garment and an annotation, said baby garment being for a baby whose motor skills are not developed enough to reach or grasp surfaces using voluntary movements, the garment having surfaces, the surfaces being divisible into selectable regions, wherein said kit further comprises
 one or more tactile stimulating elements each having a texture different from that of at least a majority of said plurality of surfaces, and configured to provide tactile stimulation to a touch sensing organ;   one or more mounting arrangements for coupling said one or more elements to said garment; and wherein said annotation comprises indications for placing of said one or more tactile stimulation elements in locations likely to be touched by said baby using involuntary movements and reflexes.   
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein said mounting arrangement is configured to allow repeated removal and replacement of said tactical stimulating element, and/or wherein at least one of said tactic stimulating elements further comprises a smell element for integrating with said tactile stimulating elements. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 10 , comprising a plurality of said tactile stimulating elements, and at least two different textures applied to different ones of said at least two tactile stimulating elements, and/or a visual stimulating element with at least one of said tactile stimulating elements. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 10 , the garment having a collar, the kit further comprising a texture for application to said collar, thereby to provide a textured collar, in such a way that said textured collar is reachable for touching by the skin of the chin or the cheeks of said baby. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein said first tactile surface comprises at least three tactile surfaces. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein said first tactile stimulating surface is the inside or outside of a collar, or wherein said texture is provided as a pocket or within an existing pocket or as a series of folds, or wherein said texture is attached to said surface to be pullable away from said surface, or wherein said texture is provided with a smell. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 10 , further comprising a cover for said texture, said cover being for manipulation by said baby. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the garment comprises coupling means at said locations for attaching said tactile stimulating elements thereto, said said coupling means providing a visible indication of where to places said tactile stimulating elements. 
     
     
         18 . A kit comprising:
 a garment for a person holding a baby; and   an annotation; said garment being for holding a baby whose motor skills are not developed enough to reach or grasp surfaces using voluntary movements, the garment having surfaces, the surfaces being divisible into selectable regions, wherein said kit further comprises:   one or more tactile stimulating elements each having a texture different from that of at least a majority of said plurality of surfaces, and configured to provide tactile stimulation to a touch sensing organ;   one or more mounting arrangements for coupling said one or more elements to said garment; and wherein said annotation comprises indications for placing of said one or more tactile stimulation elements in locations selected to be touched by said baby using involuntary movements and reflexes.   
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18 , wherein said mounting arrangement is configured to allow repeated removal and replacement of said tactical stimulating element, and/or wherein at least one of said tactic stimulating elements further comprises a smell element for integrating with said tactile stimulating elements. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 18 , comprising a plurality of said tactile stimulating elements, and at least two different textures applied to different ones of said at least two tactile stimulating elements, and/or a visual stimulating element with at least one of said tactile stimulating elements, the kit further comprising, coupling means to be coupled at said locations for attaching said tactile stimulating elements thereto, said coupling means providing a visible indication of where to places said tactile stimulating elements.