GB2394183A

GB2394183A - Breast shaped baby feeding device

Info

Publication number: GB2394183A
Application number: GB0224264A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Keith Moss
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-10-18
Filing date: 2002-10-18
Publication date: 2004-04-21
Also published as: GB0224264D0

Abstract

The baby feeding device comprises a breast shaped device 1 which has the texture of a natural breast and a teat or nipple 2 which also has a natural shape and feel. The feeding device has a hollow interior with integral milk compartment 3 and a tubular feed delivery system 4 to supply the milk from the compartment 3 to the nipple 2. Preferably the teat 2 is detachable, and the feed delivery system 4 may be removed for easy cleaning. An ergonomic frame (5, fig 3) with straps (6, fig 3) may also be supplied to assist in holding the device during feeding. The main components of the feeding device may be disposable.

Description

Natural Form Baby Feeding System This invention relates to a Natural Forrn

Baby Feeding System.

Looking at the different types of feeding system available in the high street Baby Shops, the only ones catered for are those who breast feed naturally and those who bottle feed. However, upon becoming a parent myself, I noted that for each of the two types of feeding a different suckling method needed to be employed by the baby.

The natural instinct at birth is to 'gape' open its mouth, and with that wide aperture create a vacuum around the nipple on the aureole, thus not sucking directly on the nipple. As the baby gets more voracious in its appetite, a supplementary feed is administered using the only apparent alternative, the bottle with silicone teat. However, using the bottle and teat method, the baby has to change its natural suckle to a 'grip and suck' similar to that of sucking fluid through a straw, i.e. close the mouth directly around the teat and suck. As a result, the baby has to learn and try to remember both types and adapt when offered one or the other. With both of my children, as the supplementary feeds became more frequent, there was a tendency to lose the correct breast feeding style and to more often than not suck at the nipple as if it was a bottle teat. This resulted in breast feeding becoming less and less productive and more and more time consuming (and no doubt painful). In time, breast feeding was replaced completely by bottle feeding.

In my opinion, this happened far earlier than should be necessary. The nutrients, immunity protection and healthy growth components in a mother's breast milk is said to be crucial to a child's foundations for the future. Therefore, the longer breast feeding can continue, the better. It is almost inevitable (mother's resources depending) that supplementary formula will be given. This should not stop the mother breast feeding for as long as possible at the same time though. To this end, having a formula feeding system that emulates the natural breast should allow the correct suckling mechanism to be used and minimise the chance for the baby to lose its natural suckling instinct prematurely.

According to the invention the Natural Form Baby Feeding System comprises a hollow Breast Shaped Device that emulates the shape and texture of the natural breast, a Teat that emulates the shape and feel of the aureole and nipple of a woman's breast, an integrated Milk Compartment for the milk/formula and a Feed Delivery System that provides the means for the milk to get from the Milk Compartment to the Teat. The Frame and User Strap (item 5 and 6 respectively in figures 3 and 4) are options only and are referenced in the Claims. The

Third Party Bottle (item 7 in figure 3 and 4) is not part of the Patent Application and is on the drawing for illustrative purposes only.

( Specific design details of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the Natural Form Baby Feeding System in isometric view.

Figure 2 shows the Natural Form Baby Feeding System in profile.

Figure 3 shows the Natural Form Baby Feeding System with optional external components in isometric view.

Figure 4 shows the Natural Form Baby Feeding System with optional external components in exploded view.

Referring to Figure 1, The Natural Form Baby Feeding System consists of the following: 1 x Breast Shaped Device (1) 1 x Teat(2) 1 x Milk Compartment (3) 1 x Feed Delivery System (4) In construction, the Breast Shaped Device (1) may be similar in concept to a conventional balloon' having a shape maintained with air, liquid or gel or, alternatively, a more solid, yet soft, material with foam like qualities. Ultimately, the device may be either inflatable or pre-

fommed whilst satisfying the pre-requisite that it is firm enough to not collapse under mild weight or suction. A Teat (2) is attached to the Breast Shaped Device which may be either a detachable element or an integrated part of the Breast Shaped Device (here shown integrated). A Milk Compartment (3) is provided within, or on, the Breast Shaped Device which is attached to the Teat by a Feed Delivery System (4). This may be a tube like device that fits into the Teat at one end and into the Milk/Formula Compartment at the other end independently or built into the main construction of the Breast Shaped Device and Teat (as represented in this diagram).

Claims

1. The Natural Form Baby Feeding System comprises a hollow Breast Shaped Device that emulates the shape and texture of the natural breast, a Teat that emulates the shape and feel of the aureole and nipple of a woman's breast, an integrated Milk Compartment for the milk/formula and a Feed Delivery System that provides the means for the milk to get from the Milk Compartment to the Teat.

2. The Natural Form Baby Feeding System as described in Claim 1 wherein the Breast Shaped Device is constructed of solid yet flexible but lightweight material instead of being hollow.

3. The Natural Form Baby Feeding System as described in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the Teat is a separate device that can be attached/detached from the Breast Shaped Device for ease of cleaning.

4. The Natural Form Baby Feeding System as described in Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the Feed Delivery System is a separate device that can be attached/detached from the Breast Shaped Device for ease of cleaning.

5. The Natural Form Baby Feeding System as described in Claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein there is no Milk Compartment in the Breast Shaped device.

6. The Natural Form Baby Feeding System as described in Claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein the Feed Delivery System extends to outside the Breast Shaped Device and is fitted with a connector to allow third party/standard feed bottles to be attached externally.

7. The Natural Form Baby Feeding System as described in Claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 wherein an ergonomic 'frame' is provided for the Breast Shaped Device and its components to allow it to be held and manoeuvered easily.

8. The Natural Form Baby Feeding System as described in any preceding claim wherein the Breast Shaped Device is inflatable instead of preformed.

9. The Natural Form Baby Feeding System as described in any preceding claim wherein the main components are disposable.

10. The Natural Form Baby Feeding System as substantially described herein with reference to figures 1-4 of the accompanying drawings.