The Accuracy of a SmartBottle Device for Objective Assessment of Changes in Bottle Weight During Infant Feeding
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Current infant feeding assessment methods are often labor-intensive for caregivers and subject to bias. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the accuracy of the SmartBottle device, which attaches to an infant feeding bottle and automatically records the amount consumed during bottle-feeding. DESIGN: This was a proof-of-concept study wherein changes in bottle weight during infant feeding interactions were simulated and compared with criterion weights. Research assistants conducted 4 trials to obtain SmartBottle-derived test weights and corresponding scale-derived criterion weights for bottles of various sizes, shapes, and formula volumes. Each trial focused on a different bottle: (1) Dr. Brown's 120 mL, (2) Dr. Brown's 250 mL, (3) Avent (Philips) 125 mL, and (4) Avent 260 mL. Twenty-five corresponding test and criterion weights were collected for each bottle, resulting in 100 measurements total. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: Three research assistants collected data within a controlled laboratory setting. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: SmartBottle-derived test weights and scale-derived criterion weights were the main outcome measures. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Two 1-sided t tests were used to compare the equivalence of SmartBottle-derived test weights to scale-derived criterion weights at ±5%, ±7.5%, and ±10% of scale-derived criterion weights. Bland-Altman plots were examined to assess whether there were systematic errors in SmartBottle-derived test weights. RESULTS: The mean difference between SmartBottle-derived test weights and scale-derived criterion weights was -0.01 (90% CI -0.02 to 0.00) and was equivalent within ±5% bounds (P < .0001). Bland-Altman plots illustrated that there was no evidence of systematic bias related to bottle weight, size, or shape. CONCLUSIONS: SmartBottle-derived test weights were equivalent to scale-derived criterion weights within ±5% equivalence bounds with no evidence of bias. Further testing within real-world infant feeding contexts is warranted.
Institution: California Polytechnic State University
Language: English
Topic: Infant Nutrition and Health
Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics
Field: Nursing
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,740
OpenAlex ID: W4409791654