A nipple cushion formed as part of an insert for a breast-receiving funnel-shaped membrane of a breast pump. The nipple cushion may include an adhesive to form a temporary bond to any type of a breast pump cushion. Such a nipple cushion of the present invention absorbs any friction created by the movement between the breast pump and the user's breast, with the aid of the material that constitutes the nipple cushion.

A breastfeeding nipple shield includes an extended molded adhesive flap surface and an adhesive strip on the extended molded surface attached to the rim of the areola shield portion to attach the breastfeeding nipple shield to the nursing mother's breast and retain portion in place. The adhesive flap may be elongated to distribute the load and prevent painful pulling on the breast. A molded feeding tube channel may allow a separate feeding tube to be unobtrusively inserted into the nipple opening. The feeding tube channel may be flanked by adhesive segments to secure the feeding tube in place.

A breastfeeding nipple shield includes an extended molded adhesive flap surface and an adhesive strip on the extended molded surface attached to the rim of the areola shield portion to attach the breastfeeding nipple shield to the nursing mother's breast and retain portion in place. The adhesive flap may be elongated to distribute the load and prevent painful pulling on the breast. A molded feeding tube channel may allow a separate feeding tube to be unobtrusively inserted into the nipple opening. The feeding tube channel may be flanked by adhesive segments to secure the feeding tube in place.

New devices for providing an indication to a nursing mother as to whether a baby is receiving milk during a breastfeeding session. Milk expressed from the mother's breast is caused to flow through a transparent passageway part of a nipple shield, disposed in in a position where it visible to the mother or a third party, before being supplied to a nipple of the device, from which the baby is enabled to suck. The device therefore provides an indication that the infant is receiving milk from the mother's breast. The visibility of the passageway is achieved by routing the passageway through a region of the device whose line of sight with the mother is not obscured by the baby when feeding, such as towards the periphery of the base layer of the device. The device passageway may also comprise a valve, and details of such valves are disclosed.

New devices for providing an indication to a nursing mother as to whether a baby is receiving milk during a breastfeeding session. Milk expressed from the mother's breast is caused to flow through a transparent passageway part of a nipple shield, disposed in in a position where it visible to the mother or a third party, before being supplied to a nipple of the device, from which the baby is enabled to suck. The device therefore provides an indication that the infant is receiving milk from the mother's breast. The visibility of the passageway is achieved by routing the passageway through a region of the device whose line of sight with the mother is not obscured by the baby when feeding, such as towards the periphery of the base layer of the device. The device passageway may also comprise a valve, and details of such valves are disclosed.

Systems and methods for pumping milk from a breast, wherein the milk is expressed from the breast under suction and milk is expulsed from the pumping mechanism to a collection container under positive pressure.

Systems and methods for pumping milk from a breast responsive to a controller, wherein the milk is expressed from the breast under suction and milk is expulsed from the pumping mechanism to a collection container under positive pressure.

A breast shield arrangement (300) for a breast pump comprises a first sealing portion (310), a port (320) and an intermediate portion (330) coupled between the first sealing portion (310) and the port (320). The intermediate portion (330) comprises a circumferentially extending wall defining a first volume (V1) which is adapted to receive a part of a breast, a first end (331), a curved portion (332) and a second end (333). The curved portion (332) comprises a second sealing portion (332c) which is adapted to at least partially seal the curved portion (332) against the nipple (310), the areola (320) or the breast (200) when a vacuum is applied at the port (320) creating a second volume (V2) between the first sealing portion (310, 332c) of the breast (200). The curved portion (332) at the second volume is curved outwardly as seen from the first sealing portion (310).

A breast shield arrangement (300) for a breast pump comprises a first sealing portion (310), a port (320) and an intermediate portion (330) coupled between the first sealing portion (310) and the port (320). The intermediate portion (330) comprises a circumferentially extending wall defining a first volume (V1) which is adapted to receive a part of a breast, a first end (331), a curved portion (332) and a second end (333). The curved portion (332) comprises a second sealing portion (332c) which is adapted to at least partially seal the curved portion (332) against the nipple (310), the areola (320) or the breast (200) when a vacuum is applied at the port (320) creating a second volume (V2) between the first sealing portion (310, 332c) of the breast (200). The curved portion (332) at the second volume is curved outwardly as seen from the first sealing portion (310).

A nipple-shield mounted sensor with associated electronic interface and interconnect for measurement and display of milk flow and volume during breastfeeding. The sensor is mounted in the tip of the nipple-shield in order to minimise intrusion between mother and child. The dimensions of the sensor and associated cabling are such that the device does not appear substantially different to a nipple-shield alone, thereby having minimal impact on the feeding session. Microlitre flow levels are measured directly by the sensor in order to relay accurate, real-time information on milk volume back to the feeding mother. The electronics unit amplifies the sensor input and digitally processes the data with software algorithms to determine the fluid volume.