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. In one approach, the breast pump assembly includes a breast adapter and a receptacle configured to cup the breast adapter, and the breast adapter is removable from the receptacle.

The combination of a breast pump shield, with its ring, applied to the flange lower end of the shield, and the ring being C shaped in cross-section, having an upper flange, a lower flange, both integrally structured with a base wall. The physiological stimulator integrally formed with the lower flange of the sealing ring extends inwardly and upwardly within the shield, and therein functions as a means to place pressure upon the breast of the mother to help induce and stimulate the flow of breast milk during usage of the associated breast pump.

The combination of a breast pump shield, with its ring, applied to the flange lower end of the shield, and the ring being C shaped in cross-section, having an upper flange, a lower flange, both integrally structured with a base wall. The physiological stimulator integrally formed with the lower flange of the sealing ring extends inwardly and upwardly within the shield, and therein functions as a means to place pressure upon the breast of the mother to help induce and stimulate the flow of breast milk during usage of the associated breast pump.

A passive milk collection device for storing milk comprises a flexible inner member including a nipple hole for receiving a nipple, and in which, in use, part of the rear surface of the inner member is configured to securely seal onto a user's breast. The device includes a removable rigid outer member configured to attach onto the front surface of the inner member and to provide a free air space around the nipple area for storing milk from the nipple. The circumference of the outer edge of the rear surface of the flexible inner member is substantially larger than the circumference of the rigid outer member.

A wearable passive suction-based milk collection device comprises a compressible milk pouch with a nipple hole or opening in a rear face of the compressible milk pouch. The rear face of the compressible milk pouch is configured to seal against at least part of the user's breast when the pouch is compressed by a user in order to create a negative air pressure inside the pouch, providing suction onto the nipple thereby drawing milk from the nipple for collection in the milk pouch. The device is shaped, at least in part, to fit inside a bra.

The petal breastfeeding shield is configured for comfort and to facilitate the breastfeeding of an infant. The shield is formed of a soft thermoplastic elastomeric, e.g., silicone rubber or the like, and has a major portion closely conforming to the major contours of the female human breast. The major portion is relatively thin, the portion covering the areola being relatively thick and the nipple portion having an intermediate thickness. The hollow nipple includes reinforcing and spacing ribs therein to preclude contact with the natural nipple due to suction and resulting blockage of milk flow. One embodiment is configured for use by full term infants, and another embodiment has a smaller nipple extension for use by premature infants. Different shapes and sizes shapes of cut outs or voids may be provided to suit the nursing mother. The petal shield has a wide range of cut outs or voids in a variety of shapes and shape sizes for skin-to-skin contact for infant to smell mother while breastfeeding.

Disclosed is a nipple shield for covering a nipple and surrounding area during breastfeeding. The nipple shield includes a flexible, thin barrier having a shape that conforms with the nipple and surrounding area of a person breastfeeding. The nipple shield includes a cone portion, a base portion surrounding the cone portion and a plurality of extraction holes extending through a top region of the cone portion to allow an infant to extract milk during breastfeeding. At least a portion of the nipple shield includes a thermochromic material configured to change the visibility of the barrier at a threshold temperature. The thermochromic material is transparent when the temperature of the barrier is at or above a body temperature and the thermochromic material is partially opaque and has a visible color when the temperature of the barrier is below the body temperature.

Disclosed is a nipple shield for covering a nipple and surrounding area during breastfeeding. The nipple shield includes a flexible, thin barrier having a shape that conforms with the nipple and surrounding area of a person breastfeeding. The nipple shield includes a cone portion, a base portion surrounding the cone portion and a plurality of extraction holes extending through a top region of the cone portion to allow an infant to extract milk during breastfeeding. At least a portion of the nipple shield includes a thermochromic material configured to change the visibility of the barrier at a threshold temperature. The thermochromic material is transparent when the temperature of the barrier is at or above a body temperature and the thermochromic material is partially opaque and has a visible color when the temperature of the barrier is below the body temperature.

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. In one approach, the breast pump assembly includes a breast adapter and a receptacle configured to cup the breast adapter, and the breast adapter is removable from the receptacle.