Setsunan University develops breastfeeding sensing device that visualizes babies' "sucking power" when drinking breast milk

Associate Professor Eri Nishi from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Setsunan University and Sumitomo Bakelite (Representative Director and President Shinichi Kajiya) jointly announced on August 29 the development of a "Breastfeeding Sensing Device System" that can visualize babies' "sucking power"-the force they use to move their tongues to drink breast milk-by measuring the movement of babies' tongues. They have started a trial introduction and are planning for commercialization in 2027.

While breastfeeding plays an important role in babies' health and growth, it has been difficult to understand sucking conditions, often relying on subjective sensations.

The "Breastfeeding Sensing Device System" developed through this research utilizes Sumitomo Bakelite's DuraQ conductive paste technology. By measuring and analyzing babies' tongue movements, it can objectively evaluate sucking conditions. This makes it possible for mothers and medical professionals to accurately understand breastfeeding situations and provide appropriate breastfeeding support.

A midwife uses the device by wearing it on their hand and inserting the sensor-equipped little finger portion into the baby's mouth. The sensor measures tongue movements and visualizes the baby's sucking power. Midwives can provide advice to mothers based on quantified breastfeeding indicator data.

Surveys confirmed that data-based breastfeeding support can improve mothers' confidence in breastfeeding by approximately 30% compared with conventional breastfeeding guidance.

Nishi commented: "Through my own child-rearing experience, I had anxieties and concerns during breastfeeding, and the desire to 'reduce the anxiety of as many mothers as possible' led to this development. The challenging aspect of the research was quantitatively indexing babies' tongue movements. We are very grateful to the many mothers and babies who cooperated in collecting research data. In the future, we would like to consider expanding into medical and welfare fields, such as using tongue movement data to aid prediction of breast milk intake and swallowing disorder care."