Sleep aid with position indicator along with method incorporating same

Abstract

An infant sleep positioner for supporting an infant upon a support surface, including a cushion that has an elongate pad of a selected size and configuration. The pad has a lower surface adapted to confront the support surface and an upper surface opposite the lower surface. The upper surface may be oriented at an acute angle with respect to the lower surface such that the upper surface is inclined relative to the support surface along a longitudinal axis extending between first and second end portions of the pad. The sleep positioner also includes a sleep position indicator including a flap that is movably attached relative to the cushion between a first position to inform a first position of the infant with respect to the infant sleep positioner, and a second position to inform a second position of the infant with respect to the infant sleep positioner.

1 . An infant sleep positioner for supporting an infant upon a support surface, comprising:
 a. a cushion including an elongate pad of selected size and configuration, said pad having a lower surface adapted to confront the support surface and an upper surface opposite the lower surface; and   b. a sleep position indicator including a flap that is movably attached relative to said cushion between a first position to inform a first position of the infant with respect to the infant sleep positioner, and a second position to inform a second position of the infant with respect to said infant sleep positioner.   
   
   
       2 . An infant sleep positioner according to  claim 1  wherein a first side of said flap includes first indicia corresponding to a first body position of the infant, and a second side of said flap includes second indicia corresponding to a second body position of the infant. 
   
   
       3 . An infant sleep positioner according to  claim 2  wherein each of said first indicia and said second indicia includes a depiction of an animal's head for respectively informing first and second head positions of the infant with respect to said infant sleep positioner. 
   
   
       4 . An infant sleep positioner according to  claim 1  wherein said pad extends along a longitudinal axis, and wherein said flap is movably disposed in opposite directions that are each parallel to the longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       5 . An infant sleep positioner according to  claim 1  wherein said pad extends along a longitudinal axis, and wherein said flap is movably disposed in opposite directions that are each transverse to the longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       6 . An infant sleep positioner according to  claim 1  wherein said cushion includes a casing that substantially surrounds said pad, and wherein said flap is supported by said casing. 
   
   
       7 . An infant sleep positioner according to  claim 6  wherein said flap projects away from said casing. 
   
   
       8 . An infant sleep positioner according to  claim 6  wherein said flap is attached to said casing. 
   
   
       9 . An infant sleep positioner for positioning an infant on its side, comprising:
 a. a cushion, including:
 i. a first downwardly sloping concave surface configured to support a back of the infant when placed against it, said concave surface having a slope within a range of 20 degrees to 85 degrees, inclusively; and 
 ii. a second upwardly sloping surface configured to support a stomach and/or chest of the infant; 
 wherein the first downwardly sloping concave surface and the second upwardly sloping surface are part of a continuous surface which does not contain any substantially flat portion therebetween; and 
   b. a sleep position indicator projecting from said cushion, said sleep position indicator including a flap that is movable between a first position to inform a first position of the infant with respect to the infant sleep positioner, and a second position to inform a second position of the infant with respect to the infant sleep positioner.   
   
   
       10 . An infant sleep positioner according to  claim 9  wherein said cushion includes a pad defining said continuous surface and a casing that substantially surrounds said pad, and wherein said flap is attached to said casing. 
   
   
       11 . An infant sleep positioner according to  claim 9  wherein said pad is elongate to accommodate an infant when placed thereon in a reposed position such that the infant extends along a longitudinal axis of the pad, and wherein said flap is movably disposed in opposite directions that are each parallel to the longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       12 . An infant sleep positioner according to  claim 9  wherein a first side of said flap includes first indicia corresponding to a first body position of the infant, and a second side of said flap includes second indicia corresponding to a second body position of the infant. 
   
   
       13 . An infant sleep positioner according to  claim 12  wherein each of said first indicia and said second indicia includes a depiction of an animal's head for respectively informing first and second head positions of the infant with respect to the infant sleep positioner. 
   
   
       14 . An infant sleep positioner for supporting an infant on a support surface, comprising:
 a. a cushion including a pad of selected size and configuration, said pad having a lower surface adapted to confront the support surface and an upper surface opposite the lower surface, said upper surface oriented at an acute angle with respect to said lower surface such that said upper surface is inclined relative to the support surface along a longitudinal axis extending between first and second end portions of said pad; and   b. a sleep position indicator projecting from said cushion, said sleep position indicator including a flap that is movable between a first position to inform a first position of the infant with respect to the infant sleep positioner, and a second position to inform a second position of the infant with respect to the infant sleep positioner.   
   
   
       15 . An infant sleep positioner according to  claim 14  further comprising at least a first positioning member of a selected size and configuration supported on the upper surface of said pad. 
   
   
       16 . An infant sleep positioner according to  claim 15  further comprising a second positioning member of a selected size and configuration supported on the upper surface of said pad. 
   
   
       17 . An infant sleep positioner according to  claim 16  wherein at least one of said first and second positioning members is releasably attached relative to said cushion. 
   
   
       18 . An infant sleep positioner according to  claim 14  wherein said cushion includes a casing that substantially surrounds said pad, and wherein said flap is attached to said casing. 
   
   
       19 . An infant sleep positioner according to  claim 14  wherein said flap is movably disposed in opposite directions that are each transverse to the longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       20 . An infant sleep positioner according to  claim 14  wherein a first side of said flap includes first indicia corresponding to a first body position of the infant, and a second side of said flap includes second indicia corresponding to a second body position of the infant. 
   
   
       21 . An infant sleep positioner according to  claim 16  wherein each of said first indicia and said second indicia includes a depiction of an animal's head for respectively informing first and second head positions of the infant with respect to the infant sleep positioner.