Breast Pad Assembly Containing A Skin Benefit Ingredient

Abstract

A breast pad assembly is disclosed wherein one face of the breast pad which faces the breast during use contains a composition comprising a skin benefit ingredient for improving the skin health of a woman's breast and nipple skin. In one embodiment of the invention, the skin health benefit ingredient comprises omega-3 fatty acids which can replace lipids lost from the breast and nipple during breast feeding. The omega-3 fatty acids can also be ingested by the infant to improve systemic development in the infant. In another embodiment, the skin benefit ingredient comprises omega-3 fatty acids and essential fatty acids.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This patent application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 998,500 filed on Nov. 30, 2001.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a breast pad assembly suitable for absorbing lacteal fluid which is comfortable to the human breast. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a disposable or re-washable breast pad assembly suitable for absorbing lacteal fluid which is comfortable to the human breast and contains a composition comprising a skin benefit ingredient such as a lipid comprising omega-3 fatty acids and / or essential fatty acids. [0003] During pregnancy, human breasts enlarge under the stimulation of hormones generated by the female body. Once the placenta is delivered, milk may be secreted from the nipples of the breast. Milk secretion from the breast is initiated by prolactin and is maintained by nipple-sucking stimulation. During the period of time breast ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The present invention provides breast pads incorporating a composition comprising a skin benefit ingredient for use by expectant and / or nursing mothers whose breasts have enlarged due to the presence of milk. During breast feeding, a mother can lose a significant amount of lipids from the breast and nipple skin resulting in inflammation, redness and potential infection to the breast and / or nipple. In accordance with the present invention, a composition comprising a lipid comprising omega-3 fatty acids is introduced onto the surface of the breast pad which faces the mother during use such that the omega-3 fatty acids can be transferred from the breast pad to the mother's breast skin and nipple during use to replenish skin lipids lost from the breast and nipple skin during breast feeding. Along with providing a skin health benefit to the mother by replacing lost breast and nipple skin lipids and thereby improving skin barrier functions, omega-3 fatty acids can be ingested by the suckling baby to increase the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in the baby's diet to improve health.

[0008] In another embodiment of the present invention, the lipid comprises an essential fatty acid which provides a skin health benefit to the mother and can also be ingested by the baby during breast feeding for improved health and development of the baby's nervous and immune system. Further, in another embodiment, the lipid incorporated onto the breast pad may be comprised of both omega-3 fatty acids and essential fatty acids. This combination of both omega-3 fatty acids and essential fatty acids may be highly beneficial to both the mother and the baby simultaneously.

[0009] Briefly, therefore, the present invention is directed to a breast pad for absorbing fluid leaking from a breast of a woman and minimizing the soiling of clothing worn by the woman. The breast pad has a front side which faces the breast and a back side which faces the clothing. The front side of the breast pad comprises from about 1.0 g / m2 to about 30 g / m2 of a composition for improving breast and nipple skin health. The composition comprises omega-3 fatty acids.

Problems solved by technology

During breast feeding, a mother can lose a significant amount of lipids from the breast and nipple skin resulting in inflammation, redness and potential infection to the breast and / or nipple.