Perth psychologist and entrepreneur Sian Reed has turned her personal frustration into a groundbreaking solution for breastfeeding mothers. Co-founding Velora Health with colleague Anna Gee, Reed developed a novel nipple shield that provides real-time, objective data on breastmilk intake, addressing what she calls “one of the most overlooked gaps” in healthcare.
The device, which incorporates sensors and flow channels connected to a mobile app, allows mothers and healthcare providers to accurately measure how much milk a baby consumes during breastfeeding. This innovation aims to alleviate parental anxiety about underfeeding and enable early detection of feeding problems.
From Personal Struggle to Industry-First Innovation
Reed’s inspiration came after she gave birth to her son and realized that determining whether he had nursed enough was largely guesswork. “Every baby loses 10 per cent of their body weight after they’re born, but if they lose more than that, that’s an indication they’re not getting enough milk,” she said. “In no other area of healthcare would we let someone lose more than 10 per cent of their body weight before we intervened.”
After speaking with other mothers, Reed found that many felt dismissed by their doctors regarding feeding concerns. This drove her to develop a solution that could provide objective data, potentially preventing early weaning, parental stress, and unnecessary clinical interventions.
The nipple shield prototype was built in 2024 with the help of an engineering team, supported by grants from the Perth Biodesign program. The device has since received a provisional patent and is now a finalist in the 2026 Curtinnovation Awards, which recognize university-led creations with real-world potential.
How the Nipple Shield Works
The device integrates sensors and flow channels that measure milk flow in real time. “The milk will flow through a channel... then we can calculate exactly how much milk the baby’s getting in real time,” Reed explained. The data is transmitted to a connected app, giving mothers and clinicians immediate feedback.
Currently, the standard method for measuring breastmilk intake involves weighing a baby before and after a feed, a technique that is time-consuming, cumbersome, and often impractical for regular use. The Velora nipple shield offers a simpler, more accurate alternative.
Curtinnovation Awards Finalist
Velora Health is one of 20 finalists in the 2026 Curtinnovation Awards, which showcase innovations across health, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and agriculture. Winners can receive up to $15,000 and industry recognition to help bring their products to market.
Reed expressed excitement about being selected: “The Curtin team has been so amazing and supportive, and it was so nice to reconnect with them again. It’s not just the technical stuff, but also someone feeling like this would have improved their journey being a mum.”
Curtin University executive director of commercialisation Rohan McDougall emphasized the awards’ role in bridging innovation and industry. “These awards are more than recognition – they provide a valuable platform to connect our innovators with industry, investors and partners in Western Australia and beyond,” he said.
Other Notable Finalists
Among this year’s finalists is TBIScan, a portable device for rapid concussion assessment in clinical and sporting settings. Another innovation, The Argus, is a real-time sensing platform designed to predict and prevent collisions in underground mining. The diverse range of technologies highlights Curtin University’s strength in translating research into practical solutions.
Path to Market
Velora Health plans to complete trials with mothers and babies next year. Benchtop testing has already shown nearly 100 per cent accuracy. If all goes well, the breastfeeding monitors could be ready for market by 2029. The device has the potential to transform infant feeding practices by providing reliable data that can ease parental anxiety, reduce unnecessary supplementation, and support healthy infant growth.
The Curtinnovation award winners will be announced on Friday, 28 August.
