Burping Garment

The present application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/640,904 filed May 1, 2024 and entitled BURPING GARMENT, the entire content of which is incorporated by reference herein.

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of protective garments and more specifically relates to a garment for wear during care of a baby, particularly during feeding and burping of a baby.

Feeding is a vital aspect of child development, providing essential nutrients crucial for growth and immunity. Breastfeeding, for example, not only offers tailored nutrition but also fosters a unique bond between mother and child through skin-to-skin contact and the release of bonding hormones like oxytocin. Breastmilk contains antibodies that protect infants from infections and diseases, promoting optimal health outcomes.

Formula feeding provides a practical alternative for mothers who may face challenges with breastfeeding or choose not to breastfeed. Modern formulas are designed to mimic breast milk's composition as closely as possible, ensuring infants receive adequate nutrition.

Burping after feeding is an essential practice to help prevent discomfort and gas buildup in infants. During feeding, babies often swallow air along with milk, leading to potential gas accumulation in their stomachs. Burping helps release this trapped air, reducing the likelihood of discomfort, spit-up, or colic. There are various techniques for burping a baby, including over-the-shoulder burping, sitting upright on the lap, or lying face down across the caregiver's knees.

Breastfeeding garments, such as nursing bras, tops, and dresses, are specially designed to provide convenience, comfort, and discretion to breastfeeding mothers. These garments typically feature discreet flaps or flaps that allow easy breast access for nursing while maintaining modesty and discretion in public settings.

Nursing bras, for instance, often come with clip-down cups or pull-aside panels that enable quick and discreet breastfeeding without the need to remove the entire bra. Nursing tops and dresses may incorporate hidden slits, zippers, or layers that facilitate easy access to the breast for feeding while still maintaining a stylish and flattering appearance. Beyond functionality, breastfeeding garments are crafted from soft, breathable fabrics to ensure comfort for both mother and baby during feeding sessions.

Burping cloths, also known as burp cloths or spit-up cloths, are indispensable accessories for caregivers during feeding sessions, particularly after breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. These cloths are designed to absorb and catch any spit-up, dribbles, or milk that may be regurgitated by the baby during or after feeding. These burping cloths help protect the caregiver's clothing and surfaces from stains and messes while also ensuring the baby remains clean and dry.

Burping cloths are typically made from soft, absorbent materials like cotton or muslin, making them gentle against the baby's delicate skin. They come in various sizes and designs, from small squares to larger rectangles, and may feature colorful prints or patterns. Easily portable and washable, burping cloths are essential items to have on hand for any caregiver tending to a newborn or infant.

When venturing out with a baby, parents often find themselves packing a myriad of essential items to ensure their little one's comfort and well-being throughout the day. Among the essentials are diapers, an absolute necessity to keep the baby clean, dry and comfortable while on the go.

Bottles, whether filled with breast milk or formula, provide nourishment and convenience during feeding times while on the move. A supply of baby wipes offers convenient cleanup for messy situations.

Rattles or small toys help keep the baby entertained and engaged during outings, fostering sensory development and soothing potential fussiness during travel.

Additionally, spare clothes and burping cloths are indispensable for handling unexpected spills or spit-ups. Other essentials may include a pacifier, a changing pad, diaper cream, and a blanket for warmth and comfort.

Current garments, including nursing garments lack adequate storage for holding these baby items leaving caregivers to rely on external bags or pockets for carrying these necessities. While traditional baby bags or backpacks offer ample space for storage, they can be cumbersome to carry, especially for quick errands or short outings and may be difficult to access in certain situations.

Additionally, relying solely on external bags means caregivers must juggle multiple items, leading to potential disorganization or forgetting crucial items when rushing out the door.

Accordingly, a garment that overcomes these and other problems is desirable.

The present disclosure is directed to a burping garment that allows for nursing and includes a removable and replaceable burping cloth. In embodiments, the burping garment may be or may include an upper body garment that incorporates a burping cloth, storage portions configured to store items such as diapers, rattles, pacifiers, bottles, etc. Thus, the burping garment of the present disclosure resolves the problems associated with conventional nursing garments discussed above.

In embodiments, a burping garment may include an upper body garment, one or more storage elements, at least one burping cloth fastener and a burping cloth.

In embodiments, the burping garment includes an upper body portion defined by a front portion and a rear portion provided opposite the front portion. Further, the upper body garment may include a torso portion encircling a torso of a wearer and a pair of arm portions extending from the torso portion for encircling arms of the wearer. The torso portion may further include a neck opening for receiving a head and neck of the wearer therethrough.

In embodiments, a rear of the torso portion may be substantially open. In some embodiments, the rear of the torso of the torso portion may include one or more garment fasteners configured to fasten the garment on the wearer.

In embodiments, the garment fastener(s) may include a first hook and loop fastener assembly and a pair of straps. In embodiments, one end of the pair of straps may include a first hook fastener and another end of the pair of straps may include a first loop fastener configured to engage with the first hook fastener and selectively close the garment fastener. In embodiments, fewer or additional straps and hook and loop type fasteners may be used. In embodiments, the garment fastener(s) may include one or more of snaps, buttons, zippers, elastic straps or any other suitable fastener.

In embodiments, the torso portion may include a flap, or flaps, provided on the front of the torso portion, covering a breast area of the wearer. One or more breast area fasteners may be disposed with a respective flap and configured to selectively open and close the respective flap of the torso portion. Opening and closing of the flap, or flaps, may enable the wearer to selectively expose their breast and enable breastfeeding of a baby.

In embodiments, the breast area fastener may include a button. In embodiments, the breast area fastener may include two or more buttons. In embodiments, the breast area fastener may be or included a snap, a zipper, a clasp, a hook and loop fastener or any other suitable fastener suitable to releasably secure the flap in place and allow for selective movement of the flap to expose a user's breast as desired by the user. In embodiments, the breast area fastener must provide

In embodiments, the at least one burping cloth fastener may enable the burping cloth to be fastened to the torso portion. In embodiments, the at least one burping cloth fastener may include a first burping cloth fastener and a second burping cloth fastener configured to attach the burping cloth to the torso portion.

In embodiments, the at least one burping cloth fastener may enable the burping cloth to be fastened to the torso portion. In embodiments, the at least one burping cloth fastener may include a first burping cloth fastener and a second burping cloth fastener configured to attach the burping cloth to the torso portion.

In some examples, the first burping cloth fastener may be located at a left (heart) side of the front of the torso portion and the second burping cloth fastener may be located at the left side of the rear of the torso portion. As such, the burping cloth may be attached over the shoulder of the wearer and secured to the front and the rear of the user.

In some examples, the burping cloth fastener and the burping cloth may include a second hook and loop fastener assembly. For example, the first and second burping cloth fasteners may include a second hook fastener attached to the left side of the front and rear of the torso portion, respectively and the burping cloth may include a second loop fastener attached to a first and second end of a rear side of the burping cloth.

In embodiments, the plurality of storage elements may be disposed at a lower portion of the torso portion, at the front thereof.

In some examples, the first burping cloth fastener may be located at a left (heart) side of the front of the torso portion and the second burping cloth fastener may be located at the left side of the rear of the torso portion. As such, the burping cloth may be attached over the shoulder of the wearer and secured to the front and the rear of the user.

In some examples, the burping cloth fastener may include a second hook and loop fastener assembly. For example, the first and second burping cloth fasteners may include a second hook fastener attached to the left side of the front and rear of the torso portion, respectively and the burping cloth may include a second loop fastener attached to a first and second end of a rear side of the burping cloth.

In another aspect, the plurality of storage elements may be disposed at a lower portion of the torso portion, at the front thereof.

In some examples, the plurality of storage elements may include a plurality of pockets. For instance, the plurality of pockets may include three pockets disposed from the left side to a right side of the front of the torso portion.

In embodiments, the plurality of pockets may be configured to store a plurality of items, such as additional diapers, pacifiers, rattles, bottles, or the like.

In embodiments, the plurality of storage elements may include a clip for holding a pacifier on the torso portion.

In embodiments, the plurality of storage elements may include a pouch located below the plurality of pockets able to be fastened via a pouch fastener. For example, the pouch fastener may include a zipper fastener.

In another aspect, the pouch may be larger than the plurality of pockets. As such, in some embodiments, the pouch may be configured for storing diapers.

In use, the wearer may put the burping garment on by inserting their head through the neck opening of the torso portion, and their arms through the pair of arm portions extending from the torso portion. The wearer may store the plurality of items within the plurality of storage elements and attach the burping cloth to the burping garment via the first and/or second burping cloth fasteners. When needed, the wearer may unfasten the flap via the at least one breast area fastener to breastfeed the baby.

A burping garment in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an upper body garment; a burping cloth removably connected to the upper body garment; and a pocket formed in the upper garment and configured to store at least one item.

In embodiments, wherein the upper body garment comprises a front portion and a back portion, positioned opposite the front portion.

In embodiments, the burping garment includes a first sleeve configured to receive a first arm of a user and a second sleeve configured to receive a second arm of the used.

In embodiments, the burping garment includes a burping cloth fastener mounted on the front portion of the upper body garment and configured to removably secure the burping cloth to the upper body garment.

In embodiments, the burping cloth fastener is a hook and loop fastener, where the upper body garment includes one of a hook element and a loop element and the burping cloth incudes the other of the hook element and the loop element.

In embodiments, the burping cloth fastener includes a second burping cloth fastener configured to removable secure the burping cloth to the burping garment, the second burping cloth fastener positioned on the rear portion of the upper garment.

In embodiments, the burping cloth fastener includes a bottom portion, wherein the at least one pocket is formed in a bottom of the upper body garment.

In embodiments, the burping garment includes a pocket fastener configured to close the at least one pocket.

In embodiments, the at least one pocket includes a plurality of pockets.

In embodiments, the rear portion of the upper garment is at least partially open.

In embodiments, the burping garment includes a garment fastener configured to secure two portions of the open back portion.

In embodiments, the garment fastener includes a hook and loop fastener.

In embodiments, the rear portion comprises a first portion including a first strap and a second portion including a second strap, wherein the garment fastener secures the first portion to the second portion.