INFANT PACIFIER WITH EXTERNAL FEEDING PATHWAY

Abstract

A pacifier is provided with an enlarged guard to rest against a premature baby's lips, and a nipple with a base, a narrow neck, and a bulbous tip. A hole is provided in the guard, and communicates with an open channel or pathway formed on the exterior surface of the nipple base. Milk drops from a syringe or other source can be introduced through the hole to the channel, and then flow into the baby's mouth. This introduction of milk along the pacifier into the premature infant's mouth helps the premature infant to learn sucking and swallowing, even while being fed through a nasal tube.

Claims

1. A pacifier for teaching sucking and swallowing to a premature infant, comprising: a guard; a nipple extending from the guard and having a base, a narrowed neck, and a tip, the nipple being adapted for the premature infant's mouth; a hole though the guard adjacent an exterior surface of the nipple base; and a recessed pathway formed on the exterior surface of the nipple base to direct milk drops provided through the hole and along the nipple base into the mouth of the premature infant.

2. The pacifier of claim 1 wherein the path is an open channel on the exterior of the nipple base.

3. The pacifier of claim 1 wherein the hole is an air vent.

4. The pacifier of claim 1 wherein the hole funnels milk to the path.

5. The pacifier of claim 1 wherein the pathway terminates at the neck of the nipple.

6. The pacifier of claim 1 wherein the pacifier includes a second hole in the guard for passage of air.

7. The pacifier of claim 1 wherein the hole and the pathway intersect one another.

8. The pacifier of claim 1 wherein the pathway extends only along the base of the nipple.

9. The pacifier of claim 1 wherein the pathway extends from a front surface of the guard to the neck of the nipple.

10. The pacifier of claim 1 wherein the pathway is visible to an observer without moving the pacifier in the infant's mouth.

11. A method which allows a premature infant to safely experience sucking and swallowing as the infant develops and matures, comprising: placing a pacifier into the infant's mouth, the pacifier having a guard and a nipple; introducing milk drops into the infant's mouth though a hole in the guard onto a pathway on the exterior surface of a nipple for entry into the infant's mouth.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising enterally feeding the infant through a feeding tube while the infant orally receives milk drops by way of the pacifier.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the milk flows along an open channel on the exterior of the nipple for entry into the infant's mouth.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the infant's reaction to the milk is observed without moving the pacifier.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the nipple has a base, a reduced-diameter neck, and an enlarged forward end, and the milk drops flow along the channel to the neck of the nipple.

16. A premature infant pacifier to coordinate sucking, swallowing and breathing in a premature infant, comprising: a guard for engaging the infant's lips, and having a hole extending therethrough; a nipple with a base adjacent the guard, and bulbous tip, and a narrowed neck between the base and the tip; a channel formed in the base of the nipple and adapted to direct milk introduced through the hole in the guard into the infant's mouth via the channel.

17. The pacifier of claim 16 wherein the channel is molded into the base of the nipple.

18. The pacifier of claim 16 wherein the channel extends along the base to the neck of the nipple.

19. The pacifier of claim 16 wherein the channel has an open top to allow external visual inspection of flow of milk along the channel.

20. The pacifier of claim 16 wherein the channel has a rearward end intersecting with the hole in the guard.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pacifier according to the present invention having an exterior channel for milk flow into a premature infant's mouth during use of the pacifier.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pacifier shown in FIG. 1.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the pacifier shown in FIG. 1.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a right view of the pacifier shown in FIG. 1.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a left view of the pacifier shown in FIG. 1.

[0037] FIG. 6 is a front view of the pacifier shown in FIG. 1.

[0038] FIG. 7 is a back view of the pacifier shown in FIG. 1.

[0039] FIG. 8 is a top view of the pacifier shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The goal of this invention, in all embodiments, is to allow the premature infant to continue the developmental, enjoyable in utero experience of sucking and swallowing that was in process at the time of the infant's premature birth.

[0041] To accomplish this goal, a process and feeding apparatus have been developed that provides the premature infant with the oral pleasure of sucking and swallowing, at the same time giving the infant the opportunity to practice the synchrony of SSB. This process allows the infant to enjoy feedings rather than becoming overwhelmed by allowing the caregiver to control the timing and the amount of milk given orally. Thus, the infant will associate positive neural connections to feedings. In addition, the process also allows the esophagus and cardiac sphincter to actively function while feedings are still being given through the feeding tube.

[0042] Historically, premature infants are fed through a feeding tube until developmentally they are mature enough to coordinate their SSB. In transitioning to oral feedings, the infant, who up to this point has not had any milk orally, now pulls a bolus of milk into his mouth. This bolus is often overwhelming to the infant. The infant does not know what to do. In response, the infant may stop breathing, drop his heartrate, and drop his oxygen levels. If this type of experience continues or the infant is pushed to eat the infant may shutdown and stop feeding altogether.

[0043] It takes time for the infant to develop and mature before he is able to suck, manage the bolus, swallow, and breathe. While the infant is maturing, he is also struggling with many negative invasive oral experiences associated with routine NICU care. The transition from gavage to oral feeding is challenging with many infants staying longer in the NICU to achieve oral feeding competence. The present invention seeks to allow the infant to again experience oral enjoyment by giving drops of milk in a controlled manner, and based on the infant's response. As the infant “practices”, he becomes “more experienced” and gradually “learns” how to manage more milk while benefitting from the enjoyable oral experience of sucking and swallowing.

[0044] The pacifier of the present invention is generally designated in the drawings by the reference numeral 10. The pacifier 10 includes a guard 12 and a nipple 14. The guard 12 normally rests upon the infant's lips when the nipple 14 is in the infant's mouth. The nipple 14 generally includes a bulbous base 16, a narrowed neck 18, and a bulbous tip 20.

[0045] The guard 12 includes at least one air vent hole 22 which aids in breathing while the infant is using the pacifier 10. The base 16 of the nipple 14 includes an open pathway, channel, or groove 24 which extends from a first rear end adjacent the air vent 22 to a second forward end on or near the neck 18 of the nipple 14. The air vent 22 functions as a funnel to allow milk drops to be directed onto the channel 24 and flow along the exterior pathway of the nipple 14 into the infant's mouth as the infant sucks on the pacifier. Since the milk drops flow along the outside of the nipple 14, a parent, nurse, or other person can visually observe the milk flowing into the infant's mouth and assess the infant's response to the milk drops without manipulating or moving the pacifier 10. This prevents disturbing the infant's sucking pattern, thus allowing the experience to be uninterrupted and enjoyable.

[0046] The channel 24 in the nipple 14 can be formed in any convenient manner. Preferably, the channel 24 is formed as the nipple 14 is formed, by molding or other manufacturing processes for the nipple. Alternatively, the channel 24 can be retrofit on the exterior of the nipple, after the nipple is formed, by cutting the channel or groove 24 into the exterior surface of the nipple 14. Preferably the channel 24 terminates at the rear end of the nipple neck 18 at or near the juncture of the base 16 and the neck 18, but alternatively can extend partially along the neck 18. The channel 24 should not extend into the bulbous nipple tip 20, since such an extension would introduce the milk droplets too deeply in the baby's mouth.

[0047] Milk, more preferably mother's breast milk, is given through the channel 24 of the pacifier 10 in a controlled manner, by use of a syringe or other controlled dispensing means. Initially the very premature infant may only be given one or two drops of milk on the pacifier 10. As the infant sucks, the caregiver responds by giving additional drops of milk as tolerated by the infant. The process is stopped if the infant ceases to suck or responds with a drop-in heart rate, oxygenation, or stops breathing. There are no forced feeding attempts. The focus and goal of these experiences is safety and enjoyment of the infant. The pacifier 10 provides a simple method for introducing milk drops for the infant to swallow, while easily visualizing the infant's response by an observer.

[0048] When the infant begins to be fed through the feeding tube, the specialized pacifier 10 will be offered to the infant to start the enjoyable association of tasting, sucking, and swallowing while being fed. As the infant becomes more experienced and mature, he begins to suck longer, and the volume of the milk given orally via the pacifier 10 may be increased. The infant gradually begins to coordinate his SSB during feeding without becoming stressed or tired. When the infant stops sucking, the process is stopped, and the balance of the feeding is given through the feeding tube. This enjoyable oral experience thus promotes the positive neural connection of being satisfied to feeding.

[0049] An important additional benefit is that the process requires the caregiver to become more involved and spend time with the infant as they actively engage and respond to the infant sucking and swallowing. This bonding activity between infant and caregiver may have long term significance to the wiring of neural connections related to nurturing and socialization that are also being developed by the premature brain.

[0050] In experimentation, it has been found that when using the modified pacifier 10 and, following the process as stated, the premature infant's heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen levels remain stable. The infant is calm and sucks eagerly. Additionally, it has been hypothesized that use of this invention may provide a sensory-motor experience that leads to earlier SSB coordination. This skill allows the infant to enjoy his feeding and make positive developmental strides both physically and neurologically. Ultimately the infant may be able to safely nurse and bottle sooner with earlier discharge home.

[0051] The embodiments, variations, and figures described above are provided as an indication of the utility and versatility of the present invention. Other embodiments that do not provide or otherwise utilize all of the features, processes and advantages set forth herein may also be utilized, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of the principles of the invention as defined by the claims set forth below.