Disposable absorbent article system employing sensor for detecting non-nutritive sucking events

A pacifier adapted to detect non-nutritive sucking events, the pacifier comprising:

• a nipple;
• a base attached to said nipple;
• a sensor attached to said base, said sensor adapted to detect non-nutritive sucking events produced by an infant sucking on the nipple;
• and
• an information device attached to said base and operatively connected to the sensor, said information device adapted to accomplish one or more of receiving, storing, processing, displaying, or transmitting information corresponding to the non-nutritive sucking events detected by the sensor;
• said information comprises a psychological state of the infant as indicated by the non-nutritive sucking event detected by the sensor;
• wherein the information device comprises a display adapted to present a graphical image corresponding to said psychological state.

A method for evaluating the performance of a first disposable article, the method comprising:

• (a) detecting non-nutritive sucking events produced by an infant wearer of the first disposable article;
• (b) detecting fluid flowing to, or present in, the first disposable article worn by the infant;
• and
• (c) relating the detected non-nutritive sucking events to the detected flow of fluid to, or presence of fluid in, the first disposable article.

A system for evaluating a disposable article, the system comprising:

• a first sensor adapted to detect non-nutritive sucking events produced by an infant;
• a second sensor adapted to detect a property of one or more components of the disposable article worn by the infant;
• and
• an information device operatively connected to the first sensor and the second sensor, said information device adapted to accomplish one or more of receiving, storing, processing, displaying, or transmitting information corresponding to the non-nutritive sucking events detected by the first sensor in response to a property of one or more components of the disposable article worn by the infant as detected by the second sensor.

A method for evaluating the performance of a disposable article, the method comprising:

• (a) detecting non-nutritive sucking events produced by an infant wearer of the disposable article;
• (b) characterizing a change the disposable to a disposable article worn by the infant;
• and
• (c) relating the detected non-nutritive sucking events to the characterized change to the disposable article.