Breast Milk Analysis Method for Personalized Nutrient Guidance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for analyzing breast milk composition are inadequate, as they often rely on pooled samples, small sample sizes, and laboratory-based techniques that are time-consuming and unsuitable for home use, failing to account for individual variations and maternal diet impacts, leading to uncertainty among breastfeeding mothers and a lack of reliable data on essential nutrients and toxins.
Innovation Solution
A method for collecting and analyzing breast milk samples in a home or non-laboratory setting, involving 24-hour sample pooling, freezing, and transportation to a laboratory for analysis using techniques like LC/MS, GC/MS, and ICP-MS, with comparison to guidance concentrations to provide personalized dietary recommendations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If pooled breast milk samples from multiple mothers are used for analysis, then the analysis can be performed with limited resources, but individual variations in breast milk composition and maternal diet impacts cannot be accounted for
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from pooled samples to individual sample analysis, segmenting the analysis process to evaluate each mother's breast milk separately. This allows for personalized nutritional assessment and accounts for individual variations in composition and maternal diet impacts.
2Measurement precision
If laboratory-based analysis techniques are used, then accurate measurement of nutrients and toxins is achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and unsuitable for home use
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary actions by collecting and freezing samples at home, then transporting them to the laboratory for analysis. This preparation phase can be done in advance, reducing the time mothers need to spend at the laboratory and making the process more convenient for home use.
3Productivity
If single time-point breast milk samples are analyzed, then the analysis is simple and quick, but daily variation and temporal changes in breast milk composition are not captured
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements periodic sampling at multiple time points throughout the day and across different days. This periodic collection captures temporal variations in breast milk composition, including differences between foremilk and hindmilk, and allows for assessment of how composition changes over time.
4Loss of information
If comprehensive analysis of multiple nutrients and toxins is performed, then complete nutritional information is obtained, but the complexity and cost of the testing process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs universal analytical methods that can simultaneously detect multiple nutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals) and toxins in a single sample. This multi-functional approach provides comprehensive nutritional information without requiring separate tests for each component, thereby managing complexity while maintaining completeness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enables efficient and accurate analysis of breast milk nutrients and toxins, providing mothers with confidence in their milk's nutritional content, guiding dietary changes to enhance breastfeeding duration and quality, and reducing anxiety by offering regular feedback and progress monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
freezing the milk sample; transporting the frozen milk sample to a laboratory; maintaining the frozen milk sample −80 to −20 degrees C.
Implementation Method 2
thawing the frozen milk sample to room temperature
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides methods of preparing breast milk for analysis analyzing breast milk, determining reference ranges for analytes in breast milk and testing breast milk for a panel of analytes. Aspects of the present disclosure provide dietary and lifestyle recommendations for the lactating mother-based on measured concentration of analytes. Retesting is disclosed to measure the influence of maternal diet on breast milk composition.