Haberman Feeder
Encyclopedia
The Haberman Feeder is a speciality bottle
named after its inventor Mandy Haberman
for babies with impaired sucking ability (for example due to cleft lip and palate or Mobius syndrome
). The design of the feeder is to simulate breastfeeding
.
and gum
pressure, imitating the mechanics involved in breastfeeding, rather than by sucking.
A one-way valve
separates the nipple from the bottle. Before starting the feeding, air is squeezed out of the nipple and is automatically replaced by breastmilk or formula through the valve. Milk cannot flow back into the bottle and is replenished continuously as the baby feeds. A slit valve opening near the tip of the nipple shuts between jaw compressions, preventing the baby from being overwhelmed with milk. Stopping or reducing the flow of milk is controlled by rotation of the nipple in the baby's mouth. Usually the nipple is marked with lines that indicate zero flow, moderate flow, and maximum flow. For infants who need assistance with their feeding efforts, mother--or whoever is feeding the baby--may apply a gentle pumping action to the body of the nipple.
The numbers in the cross section
are listed below:
patent
GB2169210 covering the feeder was applied for on December 11, 1985 and granted on January 5, 1989 http://v3.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=GB2169210&F=0&QPN=GB2169210.
Baby bottle
A baby bottle is a bottle with a teat to drink directly from. It is typically used by infants and young children when a mother does not breastfeed, or if someone cannot drink from a cup, for feeding oneself or being fed.In particular it is used to feed infant formula, expressed breast milk or...
named after its inventor Mandy Haberman
Mandy Haberman
Mandy Nicola Haberman is an English inventor and entrepreneur. She is a visiting Fellow at Bournemouth University, from where she has an honorary doctorate.-Inventions:...
for babies with impaired sucking ability (for example due to cleft lip and palate or Mobius syndrome
Mobius syndrome
Möbius syndrome is an extremely rare congenital neurological disorder which is characterized by facial paralysis and the inability to move the eyes from side to side. Most people with Möbius syndrome are born with complete facial paralysis and cannot close their eyes or form facial expressions...
). The design of the feeder is to simulate breastfeeding
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is the feeding of an infant or young child with breast milk directly from female human breasts rather than from a baby bottle or other container. Babies have a sucking reflex that enables them to suck and swallow milk. It is recommended that mothers breastfeed for six months or...
.
Origin
Mandy Haberman's research included contact with the Cleft Lip and Palate Association of Great Britain, and a study of cineradiographs of suckling infants, so that she might better comprehend the mechanics of feeding. She especially noted the differences between bottle feeding (which is primarily sucking) and breastfeeding (primarily pumping).How it works
The feeder's design enables the feeder to be activated by tongueTongue
The tongue is a muscular hydrostat on the floors of the mouths of most vertebrates which manipulates food for mastication. It is the primary organ of taste , as much of the upper surface of the tongue is covered in papillae and taste buds. It is sensitive and kept moist by saliva, and is richly...
and gum
Gingiva
The gingiva , or gums, consists of the mucosal tissue that lies over the mandible and maxilla inside the mouth.-General description:...
pressure, imitating the mechanics involved in breastfeeding, rather than by sucking.
A one-way valve
Valve
A valve is a device that regulates, directs or controls the flow of a fluid by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways. Valves are technically pipe fittings, but are usually discussed as a separate category...
separates the nipple from the bottle. Before starting the feeding, air is squeezed out of the nipple and is automatically replaced by breastmilk or formula through the valve. Milk cannot flow back into the bottle and is replenished continuously as the baby feeds. A slit valve opening near the tip of the nipple shuts between jaw compressions, preventing the baby from being overwhelmed with milk. Stopping or reducing the flow of milk is controlled by rotation of the nipple in the baby's mouth. Usually the nipple is marked with lines that indicate zero flow, moderate flow, and maximum flow. For infants who need assistance with their feeding efforts, mother--or whoever is feeding the baby--may apply a gentle pumping action to the body of the nipple.
The numbers in the cross section
Cross section (geometry)
In geometry, a cross-section is the intersection of a figure in 2-dimensional space with a line, or of a body in 3-dimensional space with a plane, etc...
are listed below:
- Teat, this part is inserted into the baby's mouth.
- Teat, this part is used to gently squeeze the milk into the baby's mouth and to keep the teat filled with milk.
- Flexible part of the valveValveA valve is a device that regulates, directs or controls the flow of a fluid by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways. Valves are technically pipe fittings, but are usually discussed as a separate category...
. The milk in the teat cannot flow back into the bottle, thus when squeezed the milk flows into the baby's mouth, at the same time milk is sucked into the teat - Ring to keep the teat and valve on top of the bottle.
- Standard sized babybottle (only top part shown).
Patent information
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
patent
Patent
A patent is a form of intellectual property. It consists of a set of exclusive rights granted by a sovereign state to an inventor or their assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for the public disclosure of an invention....
GB2169210 covering the feeder was applied for on December 11, 1985 and granted on January 5, 1989 http://v3.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=GB2169210&F=0&QPN=GB2169210.