Emulait secures US$11m funding boost for ‘science-based’ baby bottle system

The US start-up Emulait has raised US$11m in funding, launching a baby bottle system that ‘biomimics’ the structural anatomy of a mother’s breast.

The baby bottle, designed to simulate the experience and benefits of breastfeeding, aims to close the gap between breast and bottle and eliminate the problem of “nipple confusion”, among other feeding issues, say developers.

This design is supposed to support mothers, fathers and other caretakers, simulating the elasticity, colour, shape, and feel of a real nipple and providing a more natural breastfeeding experience for good oral development.

“Emulait was founded out of the desire to solve my daughter’s oral latching problem and now works to provide every parent, family, and child with a feeding system that supports their choices and lifestyle,” says Shilo Ben Zeev, founder and CEO of Emulait.

“I am incredibly passionate about building an organisation that supports every baby and family beginning their healthy feeding journey.”

Linda Hanna, lactation and OB expert and advisor to Emulait, said: “The design, which mimics the anatomy of the nipple and requires active sucking to get the milk out of the bottle will dramatically improve parenthood for many new families.

“With more than half of women ending their breastfeeding journey within the first month due to issues with sucking and latching, Emulait is solving a widespread need for mothers that need help with feedings while still being confident they are providing their babies with the best possible alternative to the breast.”

To order the bottle, mothers would need to download the app to take digital scans of their breasts to create a “personalised feeding system” using one of 25 bottle top variations.

The company’s custom software would scan and analyse data points such as shape, size, colour and texture of the nipple, and would then use 3D scanning technology to create the bottle nipple that replicates the structural anatomy and functional physiology of the mother’s breast.

“We understand the urgency and emotional fraught many parents face when they are struggling with feedings; oftentimes, this is their last hope, and are in need of a solution fast,” said Madison Blampied, director of business development at Emulait.

“Each of us has a personal connection to the struggles around breast and bottle feeding and have made it our mission to help other parents avoid the same experiences.”