JustMilk - Development of an Infant Nipple Shield Drug Delivery System Used During Breastfeeding

We propose to develop a low-cost Nipple Shield Delivery System (NSDS) to administer drugs or nutrients to breastfeeding infants via easily disintegrating tablets within a modified nipple shield. A wide-range of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) could be delivered to infants using the NSDS such as antibiotics, antimalarials, antiretrovirals, vitamins, nutrients, and probiotics. Use of the NSDS would empower a breastfeeding mother during the early postnatal period by allowing her to personally administer medicines in a natural setting. This system can provide a novel method for accurately administering drugs and nutrients to breastfeeding infants.