SJD Designs.
Design Engineer | NPD Specialist | CAD Prototyping | Sustainability Advocate
Warm-a-Go: Portable Infant Milk Heater
A portable, battery-powered milk heater that lets parents safely and conveniently warm infant milk on the go..
Project Goal
Develop a compact milk heater for parents and caregivers to safely reheat infant milk anywhere, keeping nutrients intact and enabling convenient feeding outside the home.
Duration
9 months (2020)
Context
B(Sc) Product Design Final Year Project at Bournemouth University
Supervision
Strix Group PLC (Industrial Placement Company
Overview
Problem Statement:
Challenge:
Active, busy parents struggle to accurately gauge and control temperatures when reheating expressed breast milk in public outdoor areas, leading to nutrient loss and reduced breastfeeding continuation rates.
Opportunity
To provide a portable, battery-powered milk heater that preserves key nutrients, delivers accurate temperature control, and enables on-the-go infant feeding—eliminating hassle and improving peace of mind for modern, mobile families.
Roles and Responsibilities Summary
Project Lead & Designer:Directed all facets of project development from ideation and research through design, prototyping, and business planning.
Research Analyst: Conducted both primary and secondary research
CAD Designer & Prototyper:
Electronics Developer: Programmed temperature controls and safety cut-offs; managed integration of sensors and user interface.
Test Engineer:Planned and executed test protocols (ergonomics, performance, safety) to validate design choices.
Regulatory & IP Coordinator:
Sustainability Advocate:Developed strategies for product circularity, end-of-life recycling, and minimized environmental impact.
Project Scope
Problems Addressed:
- Accurate and safe milk heating for active parents in public spaces.
- Preserving breast milk’s nutritional and immunological value during reheating.
- Improving inclusivity and convenience in infant feeding routines.Target Audience:
UK-based parents of infants (6–24 months), support networks (grandparents, nannies), and secondary use in maternity wards.Design Deliverables:
Comprehensive design documentation.
Prototypes.
User interface.
Manufacturing and cost analysis.
Testing protocols and validation results.
Intellectual property assessment.
Recommendations for future development, marketing, and eco-design.
Technical Process
Phase 1: Concept Research and Ideation
Performed in-depth primary and secondary research on the needs of parents using portable milk heaters.
Defined technical challenges: nutrient preservation, accurate heating, portability, and safe user interface.
Developed the Product Design Specification (PDS) and generated numerous functional and aesthetic concepts.
Phase 2: Prototype Development and Validation
Engineered, tested, and refined prototypes with a focus on heating performance, safety, and user-centric ergonomic features.
Built and tested a series of heating modules, insulation concepts, electronic safety controls, and intuitive user interfaces.
Utilized test rigs and experimental data to validate the product’s performance against defined requirements.
Phase 3: Technical Optimisation and DFM
Finalized design using decision matrices for optimal material and process selection, balancing cost, durability, and manufacturability.
Prepared detailed technical documentation, schematics, and assembly instructions.
Addressed compliance with British and EU standards, intellectual property protection, and technical transfer for production.
