Infant sleep garment with detachable sleeves and methods thereof

Abstract

Described herein is an infant or toddler sleep device or accessory in the form of a garment with two detachable or non-removable sleeves—one for each arm—to provide gentle pressure on the infant's arms to reduce the moro (startle) reflex. This device safely mimics the swaddling effect by adequately reducing the startle reflex and flailing of arms and, thus, helping baby sleep safely for longer periods of time. The sleeves may be removed once the startle reflex decreases in intensity and the infant/toddler can still continue to wear the sleep garment to sleep. The sleep device may eliminate the risk of suffocation or overheating that other swaddle or swaddle transition garments or devices might pose.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sleep device for an infant comprising:
 a garment suitable for infant sleep having two arm openings, each operable for receiving an arm of the infant; and   two sleeves attached to the arm openings of the garment, wherein the sleeves are detachable from the garment, and   wherein the sleeves are operable to surround the infant's arms such that the infant's elbows are positioned within the sleeves.   
     
     
         2 . The sleep device of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeves are triangle shaped, include a rounded or pointed edge, and include at least one elastic component, wherein the sleeves are configured to provide resistance to dampen the Moro reflex. 
     
     
         3 . The sleep device of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeves include a plurality of layers, the plurality of layers including at least one inner layer of filling between two outer layers of fabric, wherein the inner layer of filling is configured to dampen the Moro reflex. 
     
     
         4 . The sleep device of  claim 3 , wherein the inner layer of filling includes a filling component, polyfiber filling, or polyester filling. 
     
     
         5 . The sleep device of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeves include a material to soothe the infant's gums at the distal end of the sleeves. 
     
     
         6 . The sleep device of  claim 5 , wherein the silicone teether is a semi-circular shape and is removably attachable to the sleeves. 
     
     
         7 . The sleep device of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeves extend upward or outwards in a Y-shape with the distal ends of the sleeves above the infant's shoulders, wherein the sleeves are shorter than a standard sleeve, wherein the sleeves are configured to provide resistance to dampen the Moro reflex. 
     
     
         8 . The sleep device of  claim 7 , wherein the distal ends of the sleeves include a mitten cuff enclosing the infant's hands, wherein the mitten cuff is operable to open and expose the infant's hands. 
     
     
         9 . The sleep device of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeves include an attachment mechanism to receive and retain a piece of fabric, wherein the piece of fabric includes a pacifier attached thereto. 
     
     
         10 . The sleep device of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeves are reversibly attached to the garment using a zipper, a hook-and-loop closure, buttons, or snaps. 
     
     
         11 . The sleep device of  claim 1 , wherein the infant's arm extends out of the garment through the arm opening when a sleeve is detached from the garment. 
     
     
         12 . The sleep device of  claim 1 , wherein the garment is selected from a wearable blanket, a sleep sack, a bodysuit, a onesie, pajamas, a swaddle, or any other garment that is safe and suitable for infant or toddler sleep. 
     
     
         13 . The sleep device of  claim 1 , wherein the arm openings in the garment extend from the infant's shoulder down to the infant's chest, such that that there is bagginess or an extra or seemingly unnecessary portion of fabric leading into the arm opening. 
     
     
         14 . The sleep device of  claim 1 , wherein the garment comprises a front panel and a back panel. 
     
     
         15 . The sleep device of  claim 14 , wherein the front panel comprises a zippered opening extending downward from a neck opening or a flap configured to conceal at least a portion of the zippered opening. 
     
     
         16 . The sleep device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the two sleeves attached to the arm openings of the garment are individually interchangeable with one or more sleeves that are a different type. 
     
     
         17 . A kit comprising:
 a garment suitable for infant sleep having two arm openings, each operable for receiving an arm of the infant; and   at least one pair of sleeves, the at least one pair of sleeves being removably detachable from the garment, and   wherein the at least one pair of sleeves includes triangle shaped sleeves, layered sleeves, teether sleeves, half-up/half-down sleeves, or pacifier sleeves.   
     
     
         18 . A method of using a sleep device, the method comprising:
 placing an infant inside the sleep device of  claim 1 ,   wherein the sleeves are operable to provide some resistance and help aid in reducing the infant's premature startles.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claims 18 , wherein the sleeves allow for full extension, contraction, and movement of the arm. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising removing at least one sleeve from the garment using an attachment mechanism.