What it does
Airflow is a baby bottle designed to reduce choking risk in newborns during feeding. It uses a bottom air valve to adjust milk flow based on the baby’s state—crying or calm—ensuring safe, healthy, and coordinated feeding.
Your inspiration
Many newborns experience choking during feeding, especially when crying, due to immature development of the trachea and esophagus. As a designer and a sibling to a premature baby, I witnessed such incidents firsthand. This inspired me to design a bottle that adapts to the baby’s condition. The idea came from observing how changes in pressure affect milk flow and how subtle interventions can greatly improve feeding safety.
How it works
Airflow features a bottom air regulation system. When the baby cries, a parent can press the rubber plug to activate the one-way air valve at the base. This reduces the size of the air inlet, lowering internal pressure and slowing milk flow—helping match the baby’s reduced swallowing ability. At this stage, a crying face icon appears to indicate “slow mode.” When the baby is calm, the rubber plug relaxes and airflow returns to normal, indicated by a smiling face. The bottle is made from PPSU, a safe, medical-grade material, and uses a detachable silicone piston that can be removed easily for cleaning. The system promotes a safe feeding rhythm and helps babies develop healthy breathing-swallowing coordination.
Design process
The design began with research into infant feeding difficulties, especially those experienced during crying. I studied the anatomical causes of choking and consulted pediatricians to understand how milk flow affects swallowing. I then explored pressure-based flow control and prototyped several bottle designs with adjustable valves. Early prototypes had complex parts and were hard to clean, which led to the development of a simplified base structure. The visual cues (crying/smiling faces) were added to give parents intuitive feedback on flow rate. I created 3D models, followed by resin-printed functional prototypes to test sealing, flow control, and ease of cleaning. Feedback from caregivers helped refine the ergonomics and usability. After several iterations, I finalized a version that balances safety, function, and emotional design. The result is a bottle that responds to a baby's needs in real time, ensuring safe, stress-free feeding.
How it is different
Unlike traditional bottles with fixed flow rates or passive venting, Airflow actively adjusts milk flow based on the baby’s condition. The bottom air valve offers manual control that can adapt mid-feeding, reducing choking risk without complex electronics. The crying/smiling face feedback turns a technical function into an emotional interaction, making it easier for parents to understand and use. The detachable silicone piston allows for deep cleaning, addressing hygiene concerns common in multi-part bottles. Overall, Airflow integrates safety, interactivity, and cleanliness into one simple and intuitive product, distinguishing it from standard feeding solutions on the market.
Future plans
I plan to further develop Airflow for mass production by refining its structure and optimizing the valve system for consistent performance. Collaborating with manufacturers and baby care experts, I aim to finalize materials, ensure safety compliance, and reduce production costs. Future steps include testing at scale, building brand identity, and expanding to a full product line that addresses various infant feeding needs.
Awards
red-dot concept design 2025——winner
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