Device for measuring infant feeding performance

A device for measuring infant feeding performance comprising:

• a body portion having a first end for receiving a fluid, a second end mateable with a feeding nipple, and a conduit in fluid communication with the first end and the second end;
• a pressure sensor disposed in the body portion and in contact with the fluid in the conduit, the pressure sensor configured to generate a signal representing a pressure of the fluid passing through the conduit during a feeding session;
• and
• an integrated circuit disposed in the body portion and electrically connected to the pressure sensor, the integrated circuit configured to receive the pressure signal and to determine a feeding factor over the feeding session indicative of the infant feeding performance;
• wherein the conduit comprises:
• a first conduit section in fluid communication with the first end, the first conduit section having a first cross-sectional area;
• and
• a second conduit section in fluid communication with the first conduit section and the second end, the second conduit section having a second cross-sectional area greater than the first cross-sectional area.

A system for measuring infant feeding performance comprising:

• a fluid source for storing a comestible fluid;
• a feeding nipple;
• a body portion disposed between and coupled to the fluid source and to the feeding nipple, the body portion including a conduit in fluid communication with the fluid source and the feeding nipple;
• a pressure sensor disposed within the body portion and configured to generate a signal representing a pressure of the fluid passing through the conduit;
• and
• an electronics system embedded within the body portion and electrically, connected to the pressure sensor, the electronics system configured to receive the pressure signal and to determine at least one of a sucking pressure response and a fluid volumetric flow response indicative of the infant feeding performance,
• wherein the conduit comprises:
• a first conduit section in fluid communication with the fluid source, the first conduit section having a first cross-sectional area;
• and
• a second conduit section in fluid communication with the first conduit section and the feeding nipple, the second conduit section having a second cross-sectional area greater than the first cross-sectional area.