Running head: ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PAPER

Assistive Technology Paper

Jennifer A. Unck
Touro University Nevada

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Device Description & Targeted Population

The Baby Bottle Bib and Baby Bottle Cuff were created from the idea of feeding a baby
with an upper extremity impairment to one side. My sisters recently both just had babies and one
of them told me of a story about a woman she knew that had suffered a stroke after having a
baby and lost the use of her right arm. This was very debilitating for her and she was concerned
about taking care of her child due to this. As I thought about this story and watched my sisters
feeding their babies the idea grew into making devices that could aid in helping feed babies with
the use of one arm. The populations it serves can vary but the common impairment would be that
the individual only has the use of one limb or in case of the cuff, not full use of both limbs. These
populations include but are not limited to: missing upper extremity, stroke, physical disabilities,
Cerebral Palsy, and spinal cord injury (depending on level).
The Baby Bottle Bib is put on like a shirt. It has two straps the go over each should an
then a strap that goes around the back. One side of the back strap comes undone with Vlecro so it
is it easier to take on and off. The baby would be held with the unaffected arm while the bib
would have the bottle placed inside and would be at the right height for the babys mouth.It is
stabilized by the straps so that the bottle would be snug and unmovable. The bib is unique and
has a long panel that you roll the bottle up in and this is connected by Velcro. Velcro was placed
on both front and back sides of the panel as well as higher up on the bib horizontally. Velcro was
placed on a bottle to attach the bottle to the panel. To use, you placed the bottle on the panel
making sure to have the Velcro meet, then you roll the bottle up to the strips at the top. The bottle
should hit at the nipple line and due to the Velcro at the top you can angle the bottle for the
comfort of the baby.

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The Baby Bottle cuff was designed for individuals that have an impairment to a the distal
portion of the upper extremity, but still have use of the shoulder and elbow. The cuff was adapted
from the universal cuff design. The cuff is a single strap with Velcro attached on either side. A
simple metal adjuster was sewed to the strap creating a loop to wrap around the bottle and hand
or forearm. The cuff is adaptable to different sizes of hands and forearms. The bottle sits on top
of the hand or forearm to be more adaptable to different populations.
Purpose of the Device
The purpose of the Baby Bottle Bib adaption is to feed a baby with a bottle if an
individual was only to have the use of one arm. Many parents like to hold their baby while
feeding them, this brings them a sense of closeness with their child. With the Baby Bottle Bib
adaption a parent can still have that connection with feeding their baby even if they do not have a
functioning arm to help do so. This adaption can make feeding a baby more functional and can
make an individual more independent with this occupation. This occupation is important to many
parents, family and friends. It is not limited to just parents, it can be used with any individual that
has an impairment that would like to feed a baby they know.
The purpose of the Baby Bottle Cuff is to feed a baby if an individual does not have the
grasp to hold the bottle or has an impairment to the distal portion on one limb. It was designed so
a parent can be independent in feeding their baby with this type of impairment. This can enhance
the functionality of feeding a baby and brings a unique adaptive way to increase the effectiveness
of this occupation. This cuff is universal in that it will fit any person and is simple and easy to
use.

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Fabrication Process
The Baby Bottle Bib and Cuff were created using the following materials: fabric, sew on
Velcro, sticky Velcro, metal adjuster, and strappings. The Baby Bottle Bib cost $14.95 (See
Appendix A: Table A1) and the Baby Bottle Cuff cost $7.76 (See Appendix A: Table A2) to
produce. Combined the total purchase of all the items came to just under Twenty-three dollars.
Thread and bottles were not computed into the overall cost analysis since these items were
previously owned and they are common household items.
The design for the Baby Bottle Bib was sketched out first to determine what the look
would be like. The purchase of items was done by looking at different stores and doing a cost
comparison of the items. Once the materials were purchased the official process began. First
came making a pattern, many were made for the bib to determine what design would be best to
suit a variety of people. After trial and error a design was found that was appropriate for
consumers. Second came the sewing of the bib itself. This was done using a sewing machine and
was not complicated to construct when following the pattern. Third came the Velcro, at this step
there were many ideas of how to keep the bottle up with enough reinforcement of Velcro. The
end decision was to sew Velcro on the top of the panel of the bib and on the reverse side as well
so when the bottle is rolled up it will connect the different sides of Velcro together. This was not
enough Velcro to hold the bottle up without it coming down. So it was determined to sew an
additional two pieces of Velcro at the top of the panel horizontally to keep the bottle secure. One
additional Velcro strip was sewn down the middle of the panel to secure the bottle to the bib.
Lastly, the straps were sewn onto the bib. Measurements were taken around the back and over
the shoulders to make sure the straps were snug enough to keep the bib stable. Attached to one

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side of the strap around the back was Velcro so that it could be easily donned and doffed (See
Appendix B: Figure B1).
The design for the Baby Bottle Cuff was more simplistic. Deciding how to attach the
bottle was the most difficult part. Making the bottle perpendicular to the forearm proved to be an
uncomfortable angle to feed a baby. It was thought that placing the bottle in the hand would be
closer to normal patterns of movements but when tried proved to narrow which population it
could serve. The point was to make it universal for any type of individual. It was determined to
place the bottle on top of the hand or forearm and make it parallel to the forearm. A cost
comparison was also done for the purchase of these items. The only items needed for the cuff
were the straps, Velcro, and metal adjuster. After determining the layout of the design, the next
step was to establish where the best option was to place the Velcro on the strap. After placing the
strap on a number of individuals, it was established to put it on one side and put it through the
adjuster to strap it together. One end of the strap was sewn around the adjuster to secure it.
Velcro was placed on the bottle as well to secure it to the strap. The strap went through the
adjuster and then attached around the bottle and final secured on the other side of the strap as
well (See Appendix B: Figure B2).
Literature Review
Initially literature reviews and internet based searches yielded few results on adaptions
for baby care with parents that have impairments. Through the Looking Glass (TLG) is a
nonprofit organization that has been designing, fabricating and researching assistive technology
for parents with physical disabilities and the impact on baby care since 1991 (Tuleja & De Moss,
1999). Most research found on adaptive parenting devices have been completed and published by
TLG. It has been reported that there are more mothers with disabilities that are having children

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and they are having significant difficulties in daily living because of their conditions (Redshaw,
Malouf, Gao, & Gray, 2013). We can assume that if more parents have disabilities then the
chances of needing adaptive devices are greater as well. According to Kirshbaum (1997),
resources for parents with disabilities has not kept paced with the increasingly rise of parents
with disabilities. Baby care is a particularly concerning problem area. Typically parents have
been left on their own to come up with special devices. It has been reported that despite the
natural adaption the parent makes with their child, there is still a lack of support and adaption
resources out there for them to use (Tuleja & De Moss, 1999).
Occupational therapist can play a pivotal role in helping parents with disabilities care for
their infants. Occupational therapist can focus on safety, appropriate use of equipment,
development of the parents skills with the adaptive equipment, and interviewing parents to get a
feel for what they perceive as problems in baby care occupations. They can provide parents with
expertise on adaptive equipment and resources on how to develop and fabricate baby care
equipment (Tuleja & De Moss, 1999). The Baby Bottle bib and Cuff were fabricated with the
idea that an occupational therapist could help assist individuals with these devices to better serve
their needs. When fabricating the Baby Bottle Bib and Cuff a recommendation from the TLG
was used. They recommended designing equipment that can be used universally. When creating
adaptive equipment for baby care a universal design should be considered to incorporate a large
population to serve more individuals (Tuleja & De Moss, 1999). The literature shows that a
significant amount of parents with disabilities need adaptive baby care equipment. Feeding is one
component of baby care that can and should be addressed. The Baby Bottle Bib and Cuff are
examples of adaptive equipment that can be used and incorporated into the lives of parents with
disabilities.

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Current Commercially-Available Products

There were no products that exactly matched the Baby Bottle Bib and Baby Bottle Cuff.
These designs are one of a kind which makes them unique and valuable. Internet based searchers
produced other current commercially available products that were similar but not the same. One
product found was an adaption for feeding a baby in a car seat. The adaption hooked on to the
handle of the car seat and hung down so the bottle was able to fit into the babys mouth. This
adaption was alarming, the baby was not in an appropriate feeding position and the parent does
not get that bonding one on one time with their baby. This adaption cost $39.95 to purchase.
Another adaption that was similar to the cuff was a holder for a baby bottle that went around the
bottle and had a strap to slip the hand through. Although it looked like an adaption, the item itself
was not used as an adaption. The items use was to warm the milk that is inside the bottle. This
item cost $13.54 to purchase. After thoroughly searching for other products that would be similar
to the Baby Bottle Bib and Cuff, it was determined that the need for an adaptive device for
feeding babies was crucial. When comparing the prices of current commercially available prices
to the Baby Bottle Bib and Cuff you can see that this adaption is less and has a more effective
and beneficial use for both baby and parents.
Summary
The Baby Bottle Bib and the Baby Bottle Cuff adaptions were created because of a need
for individuals. These were developed universally and to be used with a diverse populations. The
literature indicates the need for adaptive devices for parents with disabilities and stresses there is
not enough resources out there for these individuals. This adaption is cost efficient and is one of
a kind. It promotes independence as well as a better quality of life for individuals.

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References

Kirshbaum, M. (1999). Babycare assistive technology for parents with physical disabilities:
Relational, systems, & cultural perspectives. American Family Therapy Newsletter (67),
20-26. http://www.lookingglass.org/pdf/Babycare-Assistive-Technology-for-Parentswith-Physical-Disabilities-TLG.pdf
Redshaw, M., Malouf, R., Gao, H., & Gray, R. (2013). Women with disability: the experience of
maternity care during pregnancy, labour and birth and the postnatal period. BMC
Pregnancy And Childbirth, 13, 174-174. doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-13-174
Tuelja., C & DeMoss, A. (1999). Babycare assistive technology. Technology and Disability,
11(1,2), 71-78. Retrieved from http://www.lookingglass.org/pdf/Babycare-assistivetechnology-TLG.pdf

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Appendix A

Item

Location

Cost

1.5 yd of white straps

Jo-Ann Fabric

$3.98

Pyramid Velcro White

30
Drit Slide adjusters 1

Jo-Ann Fabric

$3.99

Jo-Ann Fabric

$1.49

0.5 yd Solid Spa fabric

Jo-Ann Fabric

$3.49

Sticky Pyramid Velcro

12
Total:
Item

Jo-Ann Fabric

$1.99

1 yd 1 Polypro Belting

Jo-Ann Fabric

$2.29

Drit Slide Adjusters 1

Jo-Ann Fabric

$1.49

Pyramid Velcro TP
White 15
Sticky Pyramid Velcro
12
Total:

Jo-Ann Fabric

$1.99

Jo-Ann Fabric

$1.99

Table A1
Materials
Utilized for
Baby Bottle
Bib: Cost
Analysis and
Location

$14.95
Location

Cost

$7.76

Table A2
Materials Utilized for Baby Bottle Cuff: Cost Analysis and Location

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Appendix B

Figure B1: Baby Bottle Bib adaption.

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Figure B2: Baby Bottle Cuff adaption.

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