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Baby and prototype necklace

Maternity Necklace

Yasuko Bell

RCA Department

Design Products. With Megumi Sakamoto: Goldsmithing, Silversmithing, Metalwork and Jewellery

Maternity Necklace is a textured silicone nursery necklace for enjoying breastfeeding in public.

Social issue

Breastfeeding is not an easy task for mothers, as they have to hold their baby with one arm whilst exposing their breast with the other. Additionally mothers report that they tend to give up wearing accessories due to practicality and safety for their babies. Most of the existing nursery products are more focused on solving practical issues of breastfeeding, and ignore issues such as styling and accommodating daily activities.

Design process

Freehanded breastfeeding is convenient for mothers but the upper garment can rest on the babies' face. Which is the priority? Hiding the breast or visibility for the child? Researching breastfeeding' mothers and their babies, this project focused on both their needs.

User input

The designers interviewed and shadowed a mother with her twelve-month old baby girl. This inspired the designers and helped to identify some important issues about breastfeeding:

  • For mothers - the need to avoid exposure of breasts in public.
  • For mothers - the desire for stylish accessories, that match everyday clothing.
  • For babies - the need for more sensory materials to provoke interest and encourage concentration on what they are doing.
  • For babies and mothers - the need to help maintain proper posture, making mothers more comfortable and positively affecting the development of babies' bodies.

Design output

An accessory that holds upper garments when breastfeeding. It also provides a tactile experience for the child and appears as a stylish piece of jewellery.