Inventors:
Donna Hougland - Portland OR, US
International Classification:
A47J 43/28
Abstract:
A method for feeding a child, the child having a mouth, the child having a transition from bottle-to spoon-feeding, the child having a natural swallowing reflex, the method for use during that transition, the method with respect to a spoon having a handle a bowl, the bowl having an end away from the handle thus defining an anterior end, the bowl having an end toward the handle thus defining a posterior end, the method comprising the steps of: covering a front portion of a spoon bowl by an enclosing shield so that that it leaves an opening at a posterior of the spoon bowl and at an anterior of the spoon bowl. The method also includes a step of collecting a semi-liquid food through the posterior opening in the spoon bowl by moving the spoon bowl through a container of food so that the semi-liquid food enters the posterior opening of the spoon bowl and is held within a bowl cavity formed by the spoon bowl and the enclosing shield. The method also includes a step of inserting the spoon into the child's mouth. Another step of the method is suctioning the semi-liquid food by the child through the anterior opening of the spoon bowl and into a rear cavity of the child's mouth. The last step of the method is removing the spoon form the child's mouth to allow for the natural swallowing reflex to be completed.