Fluid-structural science for the design of nursing bottles

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Throughout the world a large number of infants rely solely on bottle feeds. Moreover, most breast-fed babies also need to take bottle feeds, and switch to bottle feeding as they grow. Bottle feeding is very important for the healthy growth and development of babies. Essential to bottle feeding is the design of nursing bottles. The bottle design has significant impact on the flow characteristics of the bottle, which in turn determines the feeding performance. Bottle feeding shows higher incidence of feeding-associated diseases than breast feeding. One major issue with bottle feeding is air ingestion, which leads to colic and other gastrointestinal disorders. There is a worldwide demand for nursing bottles with better feeding performance. The Multiphase Flows Lab at UBC is collaborating with ReliaBrand, the leading manufacturer of nursing bottles in Canada, to develop next-generation nursing bottles. As part of the long term collaboration, a joint experimental and numerical research project is proposed to 1) identify important design parameters of the nursing bottle, 2) determine the relationship between design parameters and flow characteristics, and 3) develop innovative bottles that provide feeding performance like natural breastfeeding. The project will investigate the complicated fluid dynamics of pulsed flows driven by compression and suction, and explore the fluid-structural dynamics related to the venting valve and bottle nipple. An experimental system equipped with synchronized data acquisition and flow visualization will be established, and numerical models for the bottle and major components will be developed. The proposed research will benefit the healthy growth and development of babies both in Canada and across the world. The project will help ReliaBrand become the world industry leader, and will therefore lead to strengthening Canada's competitiveness in the world baby care market. The project fits into Canada's agenda to support industry competitiveness, and also supports the aim of Health Canada to improve the health of all Canadians.