Infant Formula Nutritional Composition for Sleep Maturation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current infant formulas do not effectively address sleep disturbances in infants and young children, which are linked to negative effects on cognitive development, mood regulation, and overall health, and there is a need for a solution that is safe, easy to deliver, and affordable.
Innovation Solution
A combination of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), arachidonic acid (ARA), iron, vitamin B12, and specific phospholipids such as sphingomyelin, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylethanolamine, administered in specific amounts, to improve sleep quality, quantity, and efficiency in infants and young children.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional infant formulas are used, then basic nutritional needs are met, but sleep disturbances persist affecting cognitive development and overall health
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple nutrients (DHA, ARA, iron, vitamin B12, folic acid, and phospholipids) into a single nutritional composition that works synergistically to improve sleep quality. This merging of multiple beneficial components addresses sleep disturbances more effectively than conventional formulas containing individual nutrients alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific parameter ranges for each nutrient component, particularly phospholipid content (20-40% of total fat), DHA:ARA ratio (1:1 to 1:2), and iron content (0.5-2.0 mg/100 kcal). These parameter adjustments transform the nutritional composition to specifically address sleep quality without compromising other health parameters.
2Reliability
If a complex nutritional blend is administered to improve sleep, then sleep quality and quantity improve, but the complexity of the composition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nutritional composition serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides basic nutrition, supports brain development through DHA and ARA, promotes myelination via phospholipids and iron, and improves sleep quality. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate interventions while managing complexity through a single comprehensive formula.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite nutritional material combining fats, vitamins, minerals, and phospholipids in specific ratios. This composite approach allows the formula to deliver multiple benefits through a unified composition rather than requiring separate supplements or interventions.
3Reliability
If phospholipids and specific nutrients are added to infant formula, then sleep maturation is promoted, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for manufacturable phospholipid content (20-40% of total fat) and nutrient ratios that balance sleep benefits with manufacturing feasibility. These parameter optimizations ensure the complex composition can be produced using standard infant formula manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enhances specific local components (phospholipid species like phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and sphingomyelin) within the overall fat matrix. This targeted enhancement of specific lipid species promotes sleep maturation while maintaining compatibility with existing manufacturing capabilities for infant formula production.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a combination of docosahexaenoic acid, arachidonic acid, iron, vitamin B12, folic acid and phospholipids (in particular sphingomyelin, PC, PE, PI and PS) and to a nutritional composition comprising such a combination for use in improving sleep, for example in improving sleep quantity, and/or sleep quality and/or sleep efficiency and/or in promoting sleep maturation, in an infant, young child and/or child.