An artificial nipple is formed of an elastomeric polymer by use of 3D printing after imaging of a mother's breast in an active state of lactation. The artificial nipple used as an attachment to a baby bottle or as the nipple component of a pacifier. Use of an artificial nipple formed in this manner mitigates a problem with nipple confusion, as may otherwise manifest in newborn offspring.

An apparatus including artificial nipple for feeding a baby who has a cleft in its palate region. The artificial nipple includes a palate region to define a region facing the baby's palate during use, and the nipple having a tongue region to define a region facing the baby's tongue during use. The palate region is less compliant than the tongue region to both mimic the hard palate and reduces unwanted movement of the nipple, making it easier for the infant to use his or her tongue to expel fluid from the nipple. The tongue region includes a feeding slit, which maybe U or V shaped, from which liquid maybe discharged without risking nasal congestion. The tongue region may further include a soft protrusion, that assists the peristaltic like tongue movement helping the baby feed, and may extend laterally to reduce the risk of nasal congestion.

An artificial nipple is formed of an elastomeric polymer by use of 3D printing after imaging of a mother's breast in an active state of lactation. The artificial nipple used as an attachment to a baby bottle or as the nipple component of a pacifier. Use of an artificial nipple formed in this manner mitigates a problem with nipple confusion, as may otherwise manifest in newborn offspring.

Apparatus and methods provide for a feeding bottle. According to embodiments described herein, a feeding bottle may include a container and a one-piece nipple assembly. The one-piece nipple assembly may include a ring substrate encompassed by a dome overmold with a nipple head. The nipple head and dome overmold may include a texture gradient and variable wall thickness to simulate a human breast. The interior of the nipple assembly 104 may additionally include an internal flow assist mechanism for assisting the fluid flow while the nipple head is bitten or pulled.

A feeding device includes a fluid reservoir and a nipple configured to be attached to the fluid reservoir. The nipple includes a body portion defining a compartment configured to contain a liquid so as to mimic a feel of a mother's breast. The body portion comprises a nipple tip comprising a fluid outlet. The nipple includes a base member attached to the body portion, the base member including an attachment portion configured to attach the nipple to the fluid reservoir. The base member comprises a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. The nipple includes a fluid passageway extending through the compartment from the fluid inlet to the nipple tip, where the fluid passageway allows fluid to flow from the fluid reservoir to the fluid outlet. A valve member positioned on the base member adjusts a flow rate of fluid from the fluid reservoir into the fluid passageway.

Customized nipples are provided herein that are designed to mimic a nursing woman's anatomic nipple to minimize nipple confusion for a nursing baby. The customized nipples are created in a noninvasive manner, for example, via a scan of the woman's breast that is received by a computer. The customized nipples also are preferably formed in an efficient manner based on the scan. The customized nipples may be formed for baby products, such as bottles and pacifiers.

A thermochromatic baby bottle for receiving and dispensing fluids to infants and babies along with a method of use comprises a bottle, a collar, a nipple, a cap, a ribbed sleeve, and a wings handle, any or all of which may have one or more thermochromic elements disposed on, in, or attached to them. A thermometer outline on the side of the bottle, a thermochromatic sticker, one or more raised thermochromic portions of the bottle shaped as rings encircling the bottle, or hidden shapes that become visible when one or more thermochromic elements are engaged, are all non-limiting examples of the one or more thermochromic elements. The bottle may have one or more narrow or graduated portions, one or more non-thermochromic design elements, or any other ornamentation may be disposed on the bottle's exterior as well.

A system and method for simulating the natural breastfeeding process both through flow rate and through nipple shape is disclosed. The system provides bottles designed after a woman's own breast, rather than a one-size fits many generic bottle sold in stores. The system accurately represents the shape of mother's unique nipple types, and use fluid dynamics analysis to match the flow characteristics of bottle nipples to that of actual lactation averages, incorporating dynamic infant suckling pressures. This results in a threaded nipple attachment which provides an affordable way to closely replicate a mother's nipple in terms of shape and flow, such that a nursing baby is not confused by the difference between the two. This in turn increases latching, both within situations where the mother is asserting strictly natural milk, but also where she is sometimes nursing, and sometimes using baby-formula from a bottle.

Briefly, a feeding device embodying features of the present invention approximately conforms to the shape of a human breast and includes at least one housing for storing fluid coupled to a dispensing portion having an apertured dispensing tip for delivering the fluid to an infant.

A system and method for fitting pacifiers and other implements to a particular child. One or more images of the child are used to determine anthropometric data that can be used to properly size a pacifier bulb and properly fit other implements.