US20100257653A1

US20100257653A1 - Infant wrap including body padding

Info

Publication number: US20100257653A1
Application number: US12/734,522
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert W. Pitts
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-09-06
Filing date: 2007-09-06
Publication date: 2010-10-14
Also published as: EP2237687A1; EP2237687B1; WO2009031993A1; EP2237687A4

Abstract

A kite shaped infant wrap includes a padded central section for supporting an infant and a padded head support roll. This kite shaped infant wrap can include a primary restraint for securing the infant's torso within the kite shaped wrap and a secondary restraint for securing the blanket portion of the wrap around the infant. Alternate versions of the primary restraint include a belt, a seat belt and a vest. An adjustable hood can also permit the hood to be drawn away from the infant's face. The infant wrap is adjustable and can be folded in a manner so that the wrap is suitable both for an infant of normal size and for a smaller infant, such as a premature infant.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application is related to infant wraps or swaddling blankets that can be used to bunt an infant.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The current children's market worldwide provides a variety of blanket and bath products to care for newborns through toddler age children. The majority of these products are made either out of some kind of terry or looped pile fabric in the bath products or some kind of blanket/fleece material for the blanket products. These materials world wide are available and plentiful. These products are referred to as bed and bath products and they cover a range of hooded towel and blanket designs and a range of bathrobe designs with and without the hoods. This field would also encompass sleepers.
For newborns and infants, one usually anticipates that they will need at least one blanket to wrap the baby in for warmth and at least one towel or hooded towel product for after bathing the child. The shape of these products have consistently been determined to be that of a rectangle or a square and these sizes vary from manufacturer to manufacturer accordingly to whatever materials they're using and whatever widths of fabrics they're using to cut and design these products. The square and the rectangle shape are considered economical in that the solid piece or material cut on the square and rectangular pattern marker require almost no loss of fabric in the manufacturing, hence no loss of profit. Additionally, because of these shapes are of a specific and consistent geometric design the angles of each blankets and or bath wrap are at a ninety degrees. On many designs a triangular piece of material overlaps and corresponds to one corner of the blanket at a ninety degree angle on the rectangle or square shape blanket, giving a hood design positioned at a ninety degree angle for the purpose of receiving the baby's head. This typical triangular piece of material located at a ninety degree corner of the bed or bath material constitutes the cap or hood designed to keep the baby's head either warm or to help dry it after a bath. Because we are dealing with a ninety degree angle it is necessary for the triangular piece hood material to be deep enough and wide enough to fit the corner of the rectangle or square piece of fabric. In order to fit the baby's head inside this double ply of material, the triangular hood shape overlaps the ninety-degree corner of the rectangular or square shape. A newborn baby's head will fit further into the hood than is safe because this configuration may interfere with breathing. Therefore the mother or other caretaker must turn the hooded portion of the towel or blanket backwards so that it does not cover the baby's eyes, nose, or in any way make the baby uncomfortable. In cases where just a blanket is provided for the baby, the consumer traditionally tries to form it's own hood out of the way it swaddles the baby in the blanket.
Other products have been proposed for use in wrapping, swaddling or bunting an infant, especially a newborn. However, these alternative products typically are much more complicated than the simple rectangular hooded towels that dominate the market. For instance, U.S. Design Pat. No. D448,142 shows an infant wrap that appears to include a rounded cap or hood with an elastic border. However, this cap does not appear to fit snugly around the infant's head and would not appear to provide sufficient warmth. This design also includes an arrow shaped configuration, which would not appear to minimize scrap. U.S. Pat. No. 1,723,644 shows a generally square infant wrap that employs a belt. U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,204 is another example of an infant wrap that is more complicated than the conventional hooded towel. This device includes integral booties as part of the wrap and a scalloped hood. Although conceptually interesting, designs of this type would be difficult and costly to produce, and may not be suitable for use with toddlers or older infants, because the hood and booties would most likely be sized for newborns. Other designs, such as those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,034,132; U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,885; U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,885; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,340 also appear to involve intricate shapes, which would not use material as economically as the conventional hooded towels, but also may not be easy for the inexperienced caregiver to use.
PCT Application PCT/US2004/041365 discloses a kite shaped infant wrap, and the invention described herein includes a number of improvements to that basic design.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to this invention, an infant wrap for, use in bunting or swaddling an infant includes a central padded section flanked by a pair of wings, more flexible than the central padded section. The central padded section is dimensioned to support an infant. The wings are foldable over the central padded section to cover the infant. The wrap includes fasteners to secure the wings around the infant.
This kite shaped infant support wrap for use in bunting or swaddling an infant can include a central padded section and a pair of triangular shaped wings extending between side edges of the central padded section and side corners. A triangular shaped lower section extends from the wings and beneath the central padded section.
The lower section can be folded upwardly over an infant when positioned on the central padded section with the wings being foldable over the lower section, when folded, with side edges of the central padded section forming edges about which the wings can be folded. The wings and the lower section are more flexible than the central padded section. This kite shaped infant wrap can include a curved infant head support roll extending around the periphery of the top corner of the kite shaped infant wrap. The curved infant head support roll extends laterally between side edges of the central padded section so that the wings, when folded, will not restrict the infant's breathing.
This invention is also related to wraps or blankets or covers that are employed to bundle or swaddle an infant or babies of different sizes, including a premature baby, so that the infant is securely restrained within the infant wrap and cannot twist and turn in the wrap in a manner that might otherwise result in breathing difficulties. This invention shows various embodiments that can be employed with infants of varying sizes, even including premature infants, without covering the infant's face in a manner that might restrict the infant's breathing. Unlike previous infant wraps, embodiments depicted herein provide for primary restraint of the infant relative to the blanket portion of the infant wrap and also provide for means of adjusting a hood that may form a portion of certain embodiments of the infant wrap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of the preferred embodiment of a kite shaped infant wrap with a head support roll and a padded section to support an infant.

FIG. 2 is a view of the kite shaped infant wrap of FIG. 1 showing the position of an infant.

FIG. 3 is a view of the kite shaped infant wrap of FIGS. 1 and 2 showing the lower wrap section folded up over an infant.

FIG. 4 is a view in which one of the wings is folded over the lower wrap section.

FIG. 5 is a view showing an infant bunted in the kite shaped infant wrap of FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 6A is a view showing the kite shaped infant wrap of FIGS. 1-5 used for a smaller infant. FIG. 6B is a view showing the kite wrap infant wrap with the approximate location of fold lines when the kite wrap is used for a premature infant.

FIGS. 7A-7C show one way of providing batting to pad the central section and form the head support roll.

FIG. 8 shows another way to fabricate the padded central section and the head support roll of the kite shaped infant wrap of FIGS. 1-6.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an alternate embodiment of a kite shaped infant wrap with a padded central section and a method of constructing the wrap.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are views of a kite shaped infant wrap with a belt forming a primary infant restraint in which the wings and lower wrap section form a secondary infant restraint.

FIG. 11 is a view of an alternate embodiment using a vest as a primary infant restraint.

FIG. 12 is a view of another embodiment in which the primary restraint comprises a seat belt with a restraint portion extending between the legs of the infant.

FIG. 13 is a view of an infant wrap in the shape of a cross.

FIG. 14 is a view of an infant wrap in the shape of a clover.

FIG. 15 is a view of an infant wrap in which the infant's legs are covered.

FIG. 16 is a view of a hooded infant wrap that can be adjusted.

FIG. 17 shows an alternate embodiment in which the upper corner of the infant wrap is padded so that when folded around the infant's head, the folded upper section will not collapse around the infant's head and breathing passages.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The various versions of the infant wrap depicted herein comprise a kite shape blanket or cover in which the height of the wrap is greater than its maximum width. The maximum width is also located closer to the top corner of the kite-shaped wrap than to the lower corner so that the wings or areas of maximum width can be wrapped around the infant's torso over the longer lower portion. The wings will be folded over the previously folded lower portion and secured together.
The preferred embodiment of this infant wrap 2 is shown in FIGS. 1-6. A padded central section 4 extends from the top corner 12 towards the bottom corner 16 and terminates between and just below the side corners 14, so that the length of the central padded section 4 is sufficient to support an infant of upto about nine months, and the width of the central padded section is also sufficient to support an infant of the same age and size. A padded head support roll protrudes from the top of the padded central section 4 around the upper corner 12. As seen in FIG. 2, the head support roll 6 is large enough to provide lateral support to the infant's head so that the infant will not likely turn its head to an extent in which there can be interference with the infant's breathing. To assist a parent in positioning the infant's head in a proper position, a circle 7 is stitched in the padded central section between flanking sections of the support roll. This stitched circle 7 will cause a slight depression or recess between the stitches so that the infant's head will naturally reside in this depression or recess or thinner section. This is especially useful for a person who is unfamiliar with use of the infant wrap 2.
Wings 8 are formed on opposite sides of the central padded section 4 between the corners 14 and the lateral edges of the central padded section 4. A lower, generally triangular, wrap section 10 extends from the lower edge of the central padded section 4 to the lower corner 16. In the preferred embodiment of infant wrap 2, the wings 8 and the lower section 10 are formed by two fabric layers that are stitched together around the wrap edges. The wings 8 and the lower section 10 are therefore more flexible and thinner than the padded central section 4 so that these sections of the infant wrap 2 can be easily folded over an infant supported by the central padded section 4. FIGS. 2-5 show the manner in which the wrap 2 can be folded around the infant to bundle or swaddle the infant.
As seen in FIG. 2, the infant can first be lain on the central padded section 4, which will comfortably support the infant in a reclined position. The infant's head will be surrounded by the head support roll 6, which will serve to properly position the infant so that the infant's torso can be supported on the relatively soft central padded section. The infant shown in FIGS. 2-5 is nearing the nine month stage when this infant wrap is still suitable. The first step in bunting an infant is to fold the triangular shaped lower section upwardly over the infant's body. For a normal infant of about nine months, the lower corner 16 will fit just below the infant's chin as shown in FIG. 3. The kite shape of wrap 2 allows the relatively longer lower section 10 to fold upwardly over the infant's legs and body, the length of which will typically be greater than the infant's girth. This longer lower section 10 will have sufficient size to cover all of the body of a normal sized infant of up to nine months age.
After the lower section 10 is folded up over the infant's body, the wings 8 on either side of the central padded section can be sequentially folded over the top of folded lower section 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the left wing 8 is first folded over the top of the infant's body with the lower wrap section 10 being sandwiched between the body and the left wing 8. The first wing to be folded over has an elongate fastener 22 located on the outside of the wing 8. This generally rectangular fastener section 22 can be a loop fastener, and the size of fastener 22 is sufficient to provide adjustment depending upon the weight and size of the infant. The wing 8 is more flexible than the central padded section 4, and the side edges of central padded section 8 form a relatively stiffer surface around which the wing 8 can be folded. As shown in FIG. 4, a relatively straight folded edge 24 will be formed, and this folded edge 24 will be in general alignment with the head support roll 6.
The next step in bunting the infant is to fold the right wing 8 from which a latching tab 18 extends over the top of the previously folded left wing. The tab 18 includes a fastener 20 that will engage the fastener section 22 at an appropriate location, depending upon the size of the infant's body. In the preferred embodiment, the fastener 20 can be a hook fastener that can be easily attached to a loop fastener on the exterior of the infant wrap 2. The fastener strip 22 is larger than the fastener 20, and use of the relatively less abrasive loop fastener will pose fewer problems when the infant wrap is cleaned.
The padded central section 4 would support the torso of a normal infant, and the infant can be supported by positioning the caretaker's hand under the central padded section 4. This will aid in feeding and breast feeding. As seen in FIG. 5, each side edge 24 is generally in alignment with the head support roll 6, so that the infant's face and breathing passages will be unobstructed. At the same time, the infant can be tightly bundled no matter what the infant's size.
FIG. 6A shows the manner in which the infant wrap can be folded to fit a smaller infant than the infant shown in FIG. 2-5. The infant's head can still be positioned within the head support roll 6, but the lower wrap section 10 will be longer than the length of the infant's body. The flexible lower section 10 can be reversely folded along fold line 21 beneath the infant's chin, and the wings 8 are then folded over the layered lower wrap section 10 in the same manner as when used for a larger infant. The reverse fold line 21 can be at any position between the padded section 4 and the lower corner 16, depending upon the size of the infant.
The infant wrap 4 can also be used with a premature infant. Although the size of the central padded section 4 would support the torso of a normal infant, this same central padded section 4 would be large enough to support the head, torso, arms and legs of most if not all premature babies. FIG. 6B shows the location of fold lines 19 and 21, along which the infant wrap would fold for a premature infant. The fold line 19 would extend along the lower edge of the central padded section 4. The stitch lines 9 help secure the pad 4 define this fold line. The fold line 21 would be between the fold line 19 and the lower corner 16. Thus the lower section can be folded upwardly about a fold line 19, and then reversely folded about a fold line 21 so that the lower section remains below the premature infant's face and breathing passages. The reversely folded lower section will also provide added warmth. The fold lines 19 and 21 need not represent predefined weakened sections of the lower section 10, which is thinner and more flexible than the padded section 4. These fold lines are merely intended to show the approximate location along which the wrap 2 folds when the infant wrap 2 is used for a premature infant. Of course predefined fold lines 19 and 21 could be formed in a special premature infant wrap if desired. A stitch can be used to form these fold lines. However, the standard infant wrap would function for a premature infant in the absence of predefined fold lines. FIG. 6A shows the lower section folded away from the infant's face along fold line 21, but it should be understood that the lower section could be folded inwardly, and that the term reversely folded encompasses folding in either direction.
The central padded section 4 can be fabricated by using a cushioning material between two layers of the exterior fabric used to form the more flexible wings 8 and lower wrap section 10. A cotton batting material is suitable for use as padding forming the head support roll 6 and the lower wrap section 10.
FIGS. 7A-7C show one method for forming the head support roll 6. A rectangular strip of batting 30 with tapered ends 32 is cut from a material. This strip of batting 80 can then be folded lengthwise as shown in FIG. 7B. This will form a generally cylindrical roll with tapered opposite edges. This batting roll 30 can then be fitted between two fabric layers 34 and 36 which are cut in an arc so that when folded over the roll 30, a head support roll 6 having a generally circular arc will be formed to fit relatively tightly around the infant's head. As shown in FIG. 1, the top corner 12 of kite shaped wrap 2 will then protrude upwardly beyond the edges extending from the side corners 14 toward the top corner 12. This arc shaped top corner 12 will then fit tighter around the infant's head than a configuration in which the top corner would not protrude beyond the remainder of the wrap.
The batting roll 30 can be used with a separate, generally rectangular section of batting, which would fit between two fabric layers, to form the central padded section 4. FIG. 8 shows an alternative approach in which a rectangular padding section 38 is part of a one piece batting section that forms both the roll 30 and the rectangular padding in the central padded section. The upper edge is folded over to form the head support roll 6 and the central padded section is formed by slipping batting 38 between two layers of fabric, which are then stitched together.
Although the padded central section 4 and the roll 6 work well together, it is not necessary to employ the roll 6 with the padded central section 4. FIG. 9 shows an approach in which the kite shaped wrap 102 does not employ a head support roll. The kite shape wrap 102 includes the centrally positioned pad 104, which will support the infant lying on his or her back. FIG. 9 shows the construction of a kite-shaped infant wrap 102 including this pad 104. The pad 104 is formed on a central wrap section extending between a top corner 112 and a bottom corner 116. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the pad 104 is located adjacent to the top corner 112. The pad 104 is formed of a cover layer 128 and one or more layers of cushioning fabric 130 sandwiched between the cover layer 128 and a portion of the central wrap section. Polyester batting is a material that is suitable for use as padding 130. The pad 104 also extends between edges 126 of the central wrap section. Swaddling wings 108, having a generally triangular configuration are joined to the sides of central section 109 by seams that join the side edges 126 to the swaddling wings 108. The pad 104 also is secured to the remainder of the infant wrap 102 along the seams between the central section 109 and the swaddling wings 108. In addition to providing a simple method of assembling infant wrap 102, this pad construction provides an additional advantage. Since the pad 104 is formed of several layers of material, it will be less flexible than the swaddling wings 108, which are formed by one or two layers of material. As a result a fold line will be formed along the sides of the pad 104, and the swaddling wings 108 will fold along a neat, straight line, making it easier to swaddle the baby and reducing the tendency of the fabric to bunch or form creases. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the lower portion 110 is also formed of only one or two layers, or as with the swaddling wings 108, of fewer layers than the pad 104. The lower wrap section 110 can therefore be easily upwardly folded about the infant's legs and chest. In other embodiments the padded section 104 can be extended to the lower corner 116 to provide additional material overlying the infant when the kite shaped wrap 102 of folded over the infant.
Although the blanket folded in this manner will provide adequate warmth and will swaddle or bunt the infant, it can still be possible for the infant to twist and turn within the folded and tied blanket without additional restraint. If the infant were move relative to the blanket, which can conceivably result in the blanket portion of the wrap interfering with the infant's breathing passages. Therefore some other primary means of restraining the infant so that it cannot twist or turn about relative to the blanket is a desirable feature for an infant wrap, whether the shape of the blanket portion be in the form of kite, as in the preferred embodiment, or in the form of a square, rectangle, diamond, oval or some other irregular shape.
The embodiments of FIGS. 10-15 show various versions of an infant wrap having a primary restraint within the folded outer layers of the infant wrap. This primary restraint can be attachable to or detachable from the blanket portion of the infant wrap. If so, various forms of the primary restraint, such as the belt of FIG. 10, the vest of FIG. 11, or the seat belt of FIG. 12 can then be attached to the same blanket, assuming of course that adequate fasteners, such as the hook and loop fasteners shown herein or other conventional fasteners, are provided on the main blanket portion. Alternatively the primary restraint may be permanently mounted on the blanket portion, for example by stitching edges of the primary restraint to the blanket portion, leaving distal ends free so that they can be fastened together. These primary restraints can also be used with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6.
FIGS. 10A and 10B show a first version of a primary restraint in the form of a belt 206 that can be attached to or detached from a blanket portion of a kite-shaped infant wrap 202. In FIG. 10A, the belt 206 is shown in its detached state with opposite ends of the belt secured together to form a loop, and in FIG. 10B the belt 206 is shown attached to the central pad 204 with the belt open for receipt of the infant. The blanket portion of the infant wrap 202 includes a padded portion 204 extending down from apex of the kite wrap and forming a section on which the infant can comfortably rest. A first hook or loop fastener 240 is located on the back of the central section of the belt 206 so that it can be attached to or detached from a complementary hook or loop fastener 242 located on the pad 204. In addition to supporting the infant's back, the padded section can also provide clearance so that the hook or loop strip does not protrude sufficiently to cause discomfort to the child's back. The belt 206 in its open configuration can be secured to the blanket portion and to the padded section 204 by the complementary hook and loop fasteners. The opposite ends of this belt can secured together to form a loop that can fit around the infant's torso. Hook and loop fasteners can be employed on the ends of the belt so that it can be adjusted to fit around infant's torsos or waists, even for infant's having different girths. The baby can be placed in the open kite shaped infant wrap and the belt 206 can then be secured around the baby's waist or torso. The belt 206 then forms a primary restraint.
The outer attachment of the wings over the lower wrap section forms a secondary restraint to bundle, swaddle or bunt the baby. The outer secondary restraint, while sufficient to hold the blanket or cover around the infant for warmth may not be tight enough to prevent a squirming infant from twisting and turning relative to the folded blanket. The inner primary restraint, in the form of a belt in FIGS. 10A and 10B will, however, keep the infant from turning over to a degree that it might be in a dangerous position relative to the folded blanket.
FIG. 11 shows an alternate version of a primary and secondary restraint. In FIG. 11, a buttoned vest 256 replaces the belt of FIGS. 10A and 10B, and an outer belt, secured to the exterior of the wrap 252 can be used to tie the folded sections around the infant. This view illustrates that various attachment means can be used as both primary and secondary restraints and various combinations of inner and outer restraints can be employed in a manner consistent with this invention.
FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of an infant wrap 302 with a primary restraint. Here the restraint is in the form of a seat in which a seat belt 316 also includes a strap 322, which can be secured to a second strap 320 so that these two straps extend between the infant's legs. The seat belt 316 can be secured to hook or loop fastener strips located near opposite sides of a central padded section 304, which is similar to the padded section 4 shown in FIG. 1. The second strap 322 can be secured to central hook or loop fastener, which can be positioned so as to fit infants of different sizes as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The seat belt and the straps can then be secured along opposite sides of the infant in a manner to adjust the size depending upon the size of the infant. FIG. 12 also shows loop fasteners 305 positioned in the central padded section 304. These loop fasteners 305 provide a means for attaching a optional head support roll, not shown, of the type shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1. A stitched circle 307 is located in a position in which the infant's head can be positioned.
FIG. 13 shows another configuration in which the shape of the infant wrap 402 is in the form of a cross instead of a kite shape. The pad 404 is located in the center section of the infant wrap and the two sides of the cross serve as swaddling wings 408. The lower central cross section 410 can be folded up over the baby's torso or between the infant's legs. The pad 404 includes cushioning material, and the pad is less flexible than the swaddling wings 408. For purposes of illustration, a portion of pad 404 at the upper end is open to expose the padding, but in actual use this upper layer of fabric will be completely secured around the central padded section 404 A restraint 420 can be attached by hook and loop connections and can secure the infant within the wrap. A loop connector 422, located on pad section 404 is shown in FIG. 13.
FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of an infant wrap 502 that has a clover shape instead of the kite shape of the previous embodiments. This infant wrap also has a central pad 504 for supporting the baby's torso. Pad 504 includes a pocket with sides 512 with several layers of cushioning fabric sandwiched between the pocket sides 512 and the clover shaped fabric forming the wrap 502. The swaddling wings 508 have a semi-circular shape, similar to one section of a clover, and can be folded over the infant, who can be further bundled or restrained by the inner pocket sides 512. The swaddling wings 508 are again more flexible than the pad 504.
Another configuration in which sections are provided for each of the infant's legs is shown in FIG. 15. The infant wrap 602 also includes a central pad located above the two partially separate pockets 610 into which the infant's feet and legs may be inserted. Lower portions of the pockets 610 into which the infant's feet are inserted do not fold up over the infant, but upper portions 611 of these pockets do fold over one another. The swaddling wings 608 still have greater flexibility than the central padded section 604 and wings 608 can be folded over to bunt or swaddle the infant.
If a hood is used, there are a number of means that can be provided to prevent the lower end of the hood from covering portions of an infant's face and potentially obstruct the infant's breathing passages. This can be a problem when a hooded infant wrap is used with a small infant or even a premature infant. FIG. 16 shows one configuration in which a hood 750 located on a kite shaped wrap includes a series of fasteners on the exterior of the hood 750. In this embodiment three circular hook and loop fasteners are employed. The lower fastener 752 can be a hook fastener. The two upper fasteners 754, 756 can be loop fasteners. The hood 75 can then be folded up into two alternate positions in which the hook fastener 752 can engage either loop fastener 754 or top loop fastener 756. Thus the hood 750 can be in any one of three separate configurations to fit the size of the infant using the infant wrap. As the infant grows, the hood 750 can be further adjusted. Other fasteners, such as ties can also be employed.
FIG. 17 shows another embodiment of an infant wrap 802 in which the upper corner 806 is padded. A stitched circle 807 forms a depression as discussed with reference to FIG. 1. The infant's head will then be positioned within the depression formed within this stitched circle so that the head will be centered in the upper padded corner 806. When the infant wrap is folded around the infant as discussed with respect to previous embodiments, the padding in the upper corner 806 will hold the folded upper section away from the infant's face and breathing passages. This is because the padding extends to the side edges of the infant wrap so that the padded upper corner 806 has a generally triangular shape.
It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that other equivalent means and structure can be substituted for the representative configurations shown herein. Therefore this invention is defined by the following claims and is not limited to the representative embodiments shown herein.

Claims

1. An infant wrap for use in bunting or swaddling an infant comprising:

a central padded section flanked by a pair of wings, more flexible than the central padded section, the central padded section being dimensioned to support an infant;

the wings being foldable over the central padded section to cover the infant; and

fasteners to secure the wings around the infant.

2. The infant wrap of claim 1 including a lower section extending below the central padded section, the lower section being foldable upwardly over the infant, with the wings being foldable over the lower section, when folded.

3. The infant wrap of claim 1 having a kite shape with a height between top and bottom corners exceeding the width between opposite side corners.

4. The infant wrap of claim 1 including a head support roll positioned to prevent the infant from rolling its head to obstruct the infant's breathing.

5. The infant wrap of claim 1 wherein two fabric layers form the wings and enclose batting to form the central padded section.

6. The infant wrap of claim 1 wherein side edges of the central padded section form straight edges about which the wings can be folded.

7. The infant wrap of claim 1 wherein a head support roll comprises a strip of batting folded lengthwise to form a cylindrical member and enclosed by two fabric layers.

8. The infant wrap of claim 7 wherein the head support roll is joined to a section of batting forming the central padded section.

9. The infant wrap of claim 8 wherein edges of the central padded section are aligned with the head support roll to restrict folding of the wings so that the wings will not obstruct the breathing of an infant.

10. The infant wrap of claim 1 wherein pockets are formed on the lower section in which and infant's feet may be positioned.

11. The infant wrap of claim 1 wherein a primary restraint is attached to the central support section and the wings comprise a secondary restraint so that the infant cannot wiggle relative to the wings.

12. A kite shaped infant support wrap for use in bunting or swaddling an infant, the kite shaped infant support wrap comprising:

a central padded section;

a pair of triangular shaped wings extending between side edges of the central padded section and side corners;

a triangular shaped lower section extending from the wings and beneath the central padded section, the lower section being foldable upwardly over an infant when positioned on the central padded section with the wings being foldable over the lower section, when folded, with side edges of the central padded section forming edges about which the wings can be folded;

wherein the wings and the lower section are more flexible than the central padded section.

13. The kite shaped infant wrap of claim 12 wherein a curved infant head support roll extends around the periphery of the top corner of the kite shaped infant wrap, the curved infant head support roll extending laterally between side edges of the central padded section so that the wings, when folded will not restrict the infant's breathing.

14. An infant wrap comprising a blanket portion extending between an upper corner and a lower corner with wings on opposite sides of the blanket portion so that an infant can be positioned on the blanket portion with the infant's head adjacent the upper corner and the lower corner can be folded upward over the infant's torso and the wings can be folded over and secured together to wrap and bunt the infant within a folded and secured blanket portion, characterized in that an infant restraint is attached to the blanket portion between the upper and lower corners and between the wings and positioned so that the infant restraint can be secured around the infant to prevent the infant from twisting and turning relative to the blanket portion so that the blanket portion will not interfere with the infant's breathing.

15. The infant wrap of claim 14 wherein the infant restraint is attachable to and detachable from the blanket portion.

16. The infant wrap of claim 14 wherein the infant restraint comprises a belt having mutually detachable free ends so that the belt can be secured around the infant's torso.

17. The infant wrap of claim 14 wherein the infant restraint comprises an upper portion configured to overlap the infant's torso and a lower portion extendable between the infant's legs.

18. The infant wrap of claim 14 wherein a padded panel extends from the upper corner of the blanket portion, the padded panel being thicker than the wings, which are foldable around the padded panel.

19. The infant wrap of claim 14 wherein the infant restraint comprises the primary restraint preventing movement by the infant.

20. The infant wrap of claim 14 wherein a hood extends over the upper corner of the infant wrap, and wherein the hood includes a lower edge that can be folded upwardly and secured to the portion of the hood above the hood lower edge to prevent the hood from interfering with the infant's breathing.

21. An infant wrap comprising an inner primary restraint and an outer secondary restraint for bunting an infant, the inner primary restraint comprising means for preventing the infant from squirming relative to the outer secondary restraint, the inner primary restraint being attached to the outer secondary restraint, which is foldable over the primary restraint and the infant secured therein to retain warmth, the inner primary restraint being configured to prevent the outer secondary restraint from interfering with the infant's breathing.

22. An infant wrap for use in bunting or swaddling a premature infant comprising:

a central padded section flanked by a pair of wings, more flexible than the central padded section, the central padded section being dimensioned to support the entire body of the premature infant; a lower section extending below the central padded section for a sufficient length such that the lower section is upwardly foldable over the body of a premature infant when supported by the central padded section; and

a portion of the lower section is also reversely foldable between the central padded section and a lower corner thereof to form a reversely folded lower section to cover the premature infant's body without obstructing the premature infant's face and breathing passages;

the wings being foldable over the central padded section and over the reversely folded lower section to cover the premature infant; and

fasteners to secure the wings and the lower section over and around the premature infant.

23. The infant wrap of claim 22 where a lower edge of the central padded section forms a portion of a fold line about which the lower section can be folded.