What it does
Relie is a system with 6 pacifiers, 2 accessories, and an app. It supports your child’s growth and prevents addiction. Includes a case that tracks usage, a strap for transport, and an app with data, tips, and expert support for parents.
Your inspiration
The project originates from a university brief that tasked us with addressing an addiction through a product and service. We asked ourselves which addiction is the earliest and most overlooked: the pacifier. It is useful, but risky if used incorrectly. This led to our challenge: to create something that accompanies the child from birth to weaning, maintaining the benefits of sucking while avoiding trauma or coercion. A gradual, safe, and conscious journey.
How it works
Relie is a system designed to support both children and parents in the conscious use of pacifiers. It includes 6 pacifiers (3 for growth and 3 for weaning), 2 accessories, and an app. The first three pacifiers are used every three months up to 9 months, adapting to the child's oral development. The last three, for weaning, are used one per month until the first year, helping to prevent addiction. The case monitors usage: when the pacifier is not inserted, a timer starts, and a LED system indicates the usage level (green, yellow, red). The strap, silent, is designed not to distract. The app collects data, offers pacifier alternatives, and connects users with experts. Relie combines technology and pedagogy for a gradual, respectful, and conscious weaning process.
Design process
The project stems from a reflection on the theme of addictions, with particular attention to the urban context of Milan. As the Relie team, we identified the pacifier as the first form of addiction that develops in childhood, often overlooked but capable of negatively impacting the child's growth. With the support of experts, we analyzed fundamental aspects such as tongue dynamics, grip, and parental needs in the neonatal phase. Our market research revealed a discrepancy between aesthetics and functionality: overly colorful pacifiers, equipped with playful strings and easily accessible to the child, encourage autonomous and continuous use. In response, we designed a system that follows specialist guidelines, testing it with a reference child. After a brief adaptation phase, the prototype showed a good level of acceptance during a simulated typical day. The project is open to future developments, with the goal of evolving based on the real needs of children and the requirements of parents.
How it is different
Relie is unique because it addresses the use of the pacifier in a conscious and structured way, something often overlooked by products currently on the market. Many pacifiers are designed for children over 12 months or come with overly playful accessories, risking turning the pacifier into a constant object and confusing the child about its real purpose. Relie, on the other hand, gradually accompanies the child from birth to weaning, with tools that help parents interpret the child's real needs and reduce pacifier use in a healthy way. It is not a shortcut, but a pedagogical support that educates, informs, and listens.
Future plans
In the future, Relie aims to enhance the experience for parents by offering a reliable guide during the child's first year of life. The app will be enriched with personalized content, smart notifications, and the possibility of direct consultations with experts. The pacifiers will evolve through research, adapting even better to the different stages of growth. We also foresee integration with other child devices to adapt and ensure the child's well-being in a complete and conscious manner.
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