Artificial Teats Research Articles

Breastfeeding by Working Mothers: Global Challenges

A mother’s full-time employment is a determinant factor in abandoning exclusive breastfeeding before 6 months. White-collar workers have a better knowledge, attitude, and practice toward breastfeeding than blue-collar workers. The discontinuation of exclusive breastfeeding is associated with delayed skin-to-skin contact, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admission, pacifier and artificial teats use, mother’s return to work earlier and lower education levels. Racial and ethnic disparities in paid and unpaid workloads of mothers, and the relationship between components of job quality and duration of mother’s own milk provision. However, returning to work, insufficient breast milk, misconceptions about breastfeeding, and interference with social life were the barriers for mothers to breastfeed continuously. Several aspects must be considered to increase the chances of a beneficial effect of interventions: type of intervention, target audience, timing of intervention, actors that can implement it, strategies and methods of intervention, and intensity of intervention. Intervention efforts should focus on behavior change to educate and equip mothers to overcome the barriers that are within their control. Such interventions should further focus on family-centered education and strengthening the proficiency of healthcare workers on advising breastfeeding mothers. Findings point to the importance of health visitors providing emotional support to bolster the continuation of breastfeeding and encourage a positive subjective experience of infant feeding. The emphasis of emotional support encourages increased allocation of resources and training opportunities to ensure health visitors are able to provide enhanced emotional support. Women’s experiences reveal a daily life with difficulties in reconciling the desire to breastfeed and the work scenario. Support network and adaptation to children’s food routine are strategies adopted to minimize risks of weaning. The results show the need to consolidate policies to encourage continued breastfeeding in the labor market. Effort is needed to sustain breastfeeding after maternal return to work. A breastfeeding-friendly policy with clear operating guidelines in the workplace is critical to sustaining breastfeeding. Learning from others who have had a positive experience will ensure that all breastfeeding women are better supported in the workplace in future. When ‘breastfeeding only’ support is offered to women, the duration and in particular, the exclusivity of breastfeeding is likely to be increased. Support may also be more effective in reducing the number of women stopping breastfeeding at three to four months compared to later time points. For ‘breastfeeding plus’ interventions the evidence is less certain. Support may be offered either by professional or lay/peer supporters, or a combination of both. Support can also be offered face-to-face, via telephone or digital technologies, or a combination and may be more effective when delivered on a schedule of four to eight visits. Further work is needed to identify components of the effective interventions and to deliver interventions on a larger scale. Governments should make it obligatory for employers to offer a breastfeeding support program and a dedicated breastfeeding facility at the workplace as these simple measures significantly increase exclusive breastfeeding. Knowledge improvement related to breastfeeding benefits and supports to working mothers are a key priority, however advocacy to employers, managers, and supervisors in providing breastfeeding facilitation and program support are also critical to successful breastfeeding practice among workers. Policies, regulations, and laws supporting the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding practices until 6 months in mothers as recommended by the WHO should be reinforced.

Detection of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus and Their Association with Oral Microbiome Stressors in 6-18-month-old Infants.

To determine the presence of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Streptococcus sobrinus (S. sobrinus) and their association with extrinsic and intrinsic variables in 6-18-month-old infants. This was an analytical, cross-sectional study of 65 6-18-month-old infants who visited the Centers for Early Childhood in Buenos Aires City. Three groups were established according to the presence of teeth-group I (GI)-edentulous infants, group II (GII)-infants with 1-8 teeth, and group III (GIII)-infants with 9-16 teeth. Data on the variables, diet, use of artificial teats, and oral hygiene were gathered using a self-administered questionnaire. An oral examination was performed according to the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS II) criterion. A saliva sample was taken by aspiration with a sterile plastic syringe. Cariogenic Streptococci (CS) were counted using the adherence test in modified gold broth (AT-MGB). Molecular detection and quantification were performed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) (gtfB, gtfT, and tuf). A total of 12% of infants received oral hygiene, 38% used bottles, 30% used pacifiers, and 55% had sugar intake. S. sobrinus and S. mutans were detected in 57.1 and 28.6% of the children with caries, respectively. Groups I, II, and III had CS counts of log 2, 3.4, and 3.7, respectively. S. sobrinus was detected in 26.7% of GI, 52.9% of GII, and 85.7% of GIII, while S. mutans was detected in 13.3%, 35.3%, and 57.7%, respectively. The prevalence of S. sobrinus was higher than S. mutans in all groups. The presence of CS was significantly associated with sugar intake. No association was found between S. mutans and S. sobrinus and the presence of caries, hygiene habits, or use of artificial teats. This study supports the role of diet in developing a cariogenic biofilm in children under 2 years of age. Cornejo CF, Soken LJ, Salgado PA, et al. Detection of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus and Their Association with Oral Microbiome Stressors in 6-18-month-old Infants. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(1):68-73.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Interventions to Improve Breastfeeding Rates at Discharge Among Preterm and Low Birth Weight Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: While breast milk is widely accepted as the best source of nutrients for almost all newborns, breastfeeding can be especially challenging for preterm and low birth weight (LBW) infants. With increased risk of admission to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and separation from parents, this population experiences significant barriers to successful breastfeeding. Thus, it is crucial to identify interventions that can optimize breastfeeding for preterm and LBW infants that is continued from birth and admission, through to hospital discharge and beyond. Objectives: To identify and analyze evidence-based interventions that promote any and exclusive breastfeeding among preterm and LBW neonates at discharge and/or postdischarge from hospital. Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) checklist. Searches were performed in the following databases: MEDLINE Ovid, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL). Results: From the 42 studies included, 6 groups of intervention types were identified: educational and breastfeeding support programs, early discharge, oral stimulation, artificial teats and cups, kangaroo mother care (KMC), and supportive policies within NICUs. All groupings of interventions were associated with significantly increased rates of any breastfeeding at discharge. All types of interventions except artificial teats/cups and oral stimulation showed statistically significant increases in exclusive breastfeeding at discharge. KMC demonstrated the highest increased odds of breastfeeding at discharge among preterm and LBW infants. Conclusions: A variety of effective interventions exist to promote breastfeeding among hospitalized preterm and LBW infants. Hospital settings hold unique opportunities for successful breastfeeding promotion. PROSPERO registration: CRD42021252610.

Aleitamento materno em crianças com microcefalia por síndrome congênita do vírus Zika

INTRODUCTION: Children with microcephaly are at increased risk for global developmental delay, physical and intellectual disability, and sensorineural changes. Records on growth and development, as well as records on the prevalence of breastfeeding, are still scarce in this population. OBJECTIVE: To identify duration and characterization of breastfeeding in children with microcephaly due to congenital ZIKV syndrome (SCZV) seen at a referral service. METHODOLOGY: Descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative study. Data collection was performed on medical records and during interviews, using standardized questionnaires, during the months of September and November 2019. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 25.0 program. RESULTS: Fourteen children met the inclusion criteria and were included in this study. The average age was 43 months (20-50), and the average head circumference corresponded to 29.85 cm (25-34). Most children (92.9%) were breastfed. Eight children (57.2%) received exclusive breastfeeding and five (35.7%) received predominant breastfeeding. Only 21.4% suckled in the first hour of life. The mean time of BF was 14.67 months (04-37). Twelve mothers had already weaned during the data collection period. Three (21.4%) underwent gradual weaning and nine (64.3%) underwent abrupt weaning. All children used artificial teats (pacifiers, n = 14; baby bottles, n = 13), and in 50% of cases, this use occurred while still in the maternity ward. CONCLUSION: This study found a prevalence of 92.9% of breastfed children within the studied group, and an average duration of breastfeeding less than 2 years of age.

Mathematical models for the prediction of vacuum dynamics of a milking system with four-way milking cluster

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of system vacuum, pulsation rate and ratio and flow rate on vacuum dynamics of a milking system with four-way cluster. In order to meet this objective, empirical functions were developed to predict vacuum related dependent variables. These dependent variables were considered to be vacuum drops and fluctuations in b and d-phase and in claw along with average claw vacuum and teat end vacuum for four-way milking cluster. Material and Methods: Experiments based on the central composite design, one of the designs in Response Surface Methodology (RSM), and using water and artificial teat were conducted in the laboratory. The data obtained from the experiments were then used to develop functions in polynomial form that allowed predicting the vacuum related variables. Results: Eight different functions were developed. The coefficient of the determination (R2) for all the models was above 0.9. It is believed that the models developed in this study can be used to design the milking system equipped with four-way milking cluster. Conclusion: The simplest models are the ones that are developed for the average claw vacuum and the models developed for the vacuum drops in d-phase and claw. The common point of these three models along with the average vacuum prediction function is that there is no quadratic or cubic term entered into the model. The highest vacuum drops in b-phase for four-way milking cluster occurs when the pulsation ratio of 62:38. The system behavior for vacuum drops in d-phase is different than b-phase and a linear surface is valid. It only consists of flow rate and pulsation ratio.

Hygiene management in newborn individually housed dairy calves focusing on housing and feeding practices.

In calf rearing, the first weeks of life are critical and associated with the highest mortality due to enteric and respiratory diseases. A well-implemented hygiene management can help to protect calves' health preventively by reducing the load of pathogenic bacteria and interrupting infection chains. The aim of this study was to identify deficiencies in hygiene management of individually housed dairy calves by surveying current practice and examining feeding and housing equipment with different hygiene indicators. On 11 farms, different locations in 2 pens or hutches for individual calf rearing prepared for restocking and 2 feeding buckets per farm, including the inner and outer surfaces of artificial teats, were visually scored for cleanliness and sampled with swabs (housing equipment: n = 167; feeding equipment: n = 120). The sanitation of floors was tested with sock samples (n = 41). A total of 328 samples were analyzed for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and protein residues, aerobic total viable count (TVC), total coliform count (TCC), Escherichia coli, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing bacteria (ESBL), and Salmonella spp. After evaluation of these results, the farmers were informed about the findings and trained on improvement in hygiene management personally. The sampling was repeated after 1 year to detect possible changes in hygiene management. The highest bacterial loads (TVC, TCC, and E. coli) were observed in feeding equipment, especially the inner teat of milk feeding buckets. Environmental samples, primarily the sidewalls and back walls of tested pens and hutches, exhibited the lowest bacterial counts and ATP and protein residues. All samples were negative for MRSA and Salmonella spp. In 10.5% of all samples, ESBL was detected, and in 6.8%, ESBL E. coli was detected, predominately in sock samples, followed by feeding equipment samples. Training in hygiene management showed only limited effects. In conclusion, there is still great potential to improve the implementation of hygiene measures in individual calf housing. In particular, more attention should be paid to the cleaning of feeding buckets and artificial teats, as this is a simple means of interrupting the possible spread of pathogens among calves.

Influência dos bicos artificiais na amamentação em lactentes atendidos em um banco de leite humano

Objetivo: Identificar a influência dos bicos artificiais na amamentação das crianças atendidas em um Banco de Leite Humano (BLH) de um Hospital Amigo da Criança em um município de Pernambuco. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de corte transversal com abordagem quantitativa com uma amostra de 413 atendimentos. No tratamento estatístico foi utilizada a análise uni e bivariada para obtenção da distribuição dos valores de frequência absoluta e relativa e o teste Qui-quadrado na associação das variáveis a fim de determinar o p-valor. Resultados: Quase todas as puérperas realizaram acompanhamento pré-natal (99,5%), porém apenas 33,4% receberam orientações sobre amamentação durante as consultas. As crianças do estudo tinham em média 13,61 dias de vida e 38,7% já haviam utilizado bicos artificiais, com maior prevalência das chupetas, verificando que esses bicos influenciaram na pega incorreta e problemas com a mama. Conclusão: O baixo percentual de orientações sobre amamentação no pré-natal pode ter favorecido ao aumento do percentual de utilização de bicos artificiais, desta forma é de suma importância que haja enfermeiros qualificados para atuar junto à gestante/puérpera no processo de educação em saúde, afim de reduzir os efeitos deletérios desta prática.

PSII-18 Effect of two different milk-feeding methods on performance and plasma glucose of dairy calves

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate two different methods of milk feeding calves and the effects on performance and plasma glucose. Thirty newborn Holsteins calves were individually housed with free access to water and starter concentrate and fed 6 L/d of whole milk divided in two meals (7h and 17h). A randomized blocks experimental design was used, with weight and day of birth as blocking effect, and calves were distributed in two methods of milk-feeding: (1) open bucket; (2) bucket with an artificial teat. Milk-feeding period started with 3 d of age, after colostrum feeding by bottle. The starter intake was monitored daily. Speed of milk intake, body weight and measures, and blood samples were taken weekly. Data were analyzed using the proc mixed of SAS for repeated measures, and the means were compared using the F test (P ≤ 0.05). Feeding milk using a bucket with an artificial teat decreased average daily starter intake (P < 0.03), probably because calves were more satisfied by the act of suckling. However, there were no effects on body weight gain, weight at weaning and average body measures. The bucket with artificial teat had a positive influence on blood glucose concentration, measure 2h after milk feeding (P < 0.01), as a response of lower speed for milk intake (P < 0.01). These results suggest that the speed for milk intake may interfere on blood glucose concentrations peak, however because the behavioral need of suckling is attended, it may decrease starter intake, but without decrease performance.

Use of the Pacifiers in Children with Disabilities

Pacifiers are commonly used with babies all around the world. Pacifiers are used primarily to stimulate sucking and to calm self. These pacifiers, “also known as soothers, dummies and artificial teats are as rooted in history as they are in controversy” [1]. Recommendations for and against its use are given to parents from various professionals including nurses, doctors, dentists and therapists grounded on the benefits or risks.

Study on the effect of the teat reaction on the time components of the pulsogram in various types of milking liners

The relationship between the milking process phases and the artificial teat reaction have been studied. Milking units with a conventional and tri-circle shape of the pulsation chamber were used. The conclusions are related to the reaction of the teat support and the changes of the time components in the pulsogram. The filling of the milking chamber with an artificial teat reduces the absolute duration of the transitional phases "a" and "c" and prolongs the actual phases "b" and "d" in all the experimental rates.

Fluid-Structure Interaction Simulation of Lactating Human Breast

Abstract This study presents a 3-D Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) simulation of breastfeeding mechanism to provide a better understanding of the milk flow behavior in the ductal system of the human breast as the breast interacts with the infant's oral cavity. The breast geometry consists of one lobe with three-bifurcation levels. The boundary conditions include: (1) The intraoral vacuum pressure, obtained from the clinical measurements, (2) Dynamic motion of the tongue, nipple, and jaw (maxilla and mandible) motion captured by ultrasound images. Simulation is conducted from the instance of latching and continues for two cycles of periodic tongue motion and in various boundary conditions and mouthing positions. The results from the simulation show that milk removal is not only due to the negative pressure applied by the infant sucking, but also the tongue movement and mouthing and squeezing of nipple and breast, i.e. a positive force deforming the nipple is responsible for the expression of milk. The developed model can contribute to a better understanding of breastfeeding complications due to physical infant and/or breast abnormalities and the design of medical devices such as artificial teats and breast pumps.

Fluid-structure interaction modeling of lactating breast

There are two theories for the dynamics of milk expression by the infant. One hypothesis is that milk expression is due to the negative pressure applied by the infant sucking; the alternative hypothesis is that the tongue movement and squeezing of nipple/areola due to mouthing is responsible for the extraction of milk from the nipple. In this study, 3-D two-way Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) simulations are conducted to investigate the factors that play the primary role in expressing milk from the nipple. The models include the solid deformation and periodic motion of the tongue and jaw movement. To obtain the boundary conditions, ultrasound images of the oral cavity and motion of the tongue movement during breastfeeding are extracted in parallel to the intra-oral vacuum pressure. The numerical results are cross-validated with clinical data. The results show that, while vacuum pressure plays an important role in the amount of milk removal, the tongue/jaw movement is essential for facilitating this procedure by decreasing the shear stress within the main duct in the nipple. The developed model can contribute to a better understanding of breastfeeding complications due to infant or breast abnormalities and for the design of medical devices such as breast pumps and artificial teats.

External evaluation and self-monitoring of the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative\u2019s maternity hospitals in Brazil

BackgroundIn Brazil, the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) proposes following the criteria, the “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding”, International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and Good birth and delivery practices. Brazilian Baby-Friendly Hospitals are reassessed triennially by external evaluators and annually by self-monitoring. This study aimed to verify if the self-monitoring system fulfills its role of enabling accredited hospitals to assess and improve their compliance with the BFHI criteria. In this sense, we will analyze the self-monitoring evaluation results and compare them with those of the external reassessment.MethodsThis descriptive evaluation study of the compliance with the BFHI criteria by the Brazilian Baby-Friendly Hospitals by self-monitoring evaluators from 2010 to 2015 and by external evaluators in 2015.ResultsSelf-monitoring was performed in all years from 2010 to 2015 by 143 BFHI accredited hospitals. The trend of the levels of compliance with BFHI’s criteria according to self-monitoring evaluations was stable over the assessed period. Most criteria presented compliance above 70%, except Step 4 (skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding in the first hour of life), with mean compliance of 67%. Steps 1 (written policy), 7 (rooming-in) and 9 (give no artificial teats) showed mean compliance above 90%. Regarding the external evaluation carried out in 2015, the criteria with lowest compliance were Step 4 and Woman-Friendly care, both below 50%. Steps 9 and 10 (refer mothers to breastfeeding support groups) reached levels of compliance above 90%. For 2015, self-monitoring provided significant higher compliance levels than those from external evaluations in most criteria, except Step 3 (prenatal information on breastfeeding) and Step 10. There was a difference of more than 30% points between evaluations of Steps 1 (written policy), 2 (training), 5 (show mothers how to breastfeed), Woman-Friendly Care and father or mother stay with their newborn.ConclusionsThe self-monitoring system fulfilled partially its role of allowing accredited hospitals to self-assess and improve rates of compliance with BFHI criteria. Future trainings of hospital managers need to address difficulties and identify solutions to improve implementation of Steps 4 and 6.

The influence of different milking settings on the measured teat load caused by a collapsing liner

Milking machine settings such as the machine vacuum, pulsation rate, and pulsation ratio influence teat tissue and teat condition, but there remains a lack of knowledge about the teat-liner interface and the pressure applied to the teat tissue by the teat cup liner during milking. The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of different milking settings on the teat-liner interface with the help of a pressure-indicating film. The Extreme Low Prescale film by Fujifilm and a hollow artificial teat made of silicone were used to measure the influence of different machine vacuum levels (30 kPa, 40 kPa, 50 kPa), different pulsation rates (40 cycles min−1, 60 cycles min−1, 80 cycles min−1), and different pulsation ratios (60:40, 65:35, 70:30) on the teat load caused by the collapsing liner. The response surface methodology with a central composite design was used to plan the experiment. The experiment was performed with a conventional milking cluster equipped with round silicone liners. The average pressure (AP), the maximum pressure (MP), and the load (L) were used to analyse the influence of different milking settings. Analysis of covariance was used to estimate the differences between measuring areas, machine vacuum levels, pulsation rates, and pulsation ratios. Machine vacuum levels, pulsation rates, and pulsation ratios had a significant influence on the measured teat load caused by liner collapse; the higher the machine vacuum and the pulsation rate, the higher the measured values of AP, MP, and L. MP values decreased with an increase of the pulsation ratio. The pulsation ratio affected L significantly depending on the machine vacuum. The liner applied more pressure to the end of the teat compared with the whole teat barrel. In conclusion, the results of the present investigation show that different adjustments to the machine vacuum, the pulsation rate, and the pulsation ratio can significantly influence the pressure applied to the whole teat by a collapsing liner.

Effects of an odor or taste stimulus applied to an artificial teat on the suckling behavior of newborn dairy calves

BackgroundIn their first days of life, dairy calves in artificial rearing systems often have difficulty using an artificial teat for feeding.MethodsWe examined the age at which calves are able to stand up voluntarily and suckle as well as their suckling behavior when presented with a plain dry teat versus a dry teat modified with a presumably attractive odor or taste substance. Single-housed newborn dairy calves (n = 51) were presented for ten consecutive days with a two-minute two-choice test, in which suckling time was recorded for 1) a plain (control) teat versus a glucose-coated teat (taste test) and 2) a plain teat versus a teat with a "Freshly Cut Grass" odor (odor test).ResultsOn average, the calves were able to stand up voluntarily and suckle from the second or third day of age on. The "Freshly Cut Grass" odor had no significant effect on their suckling behavior. In contrast, the calves showed a significant preference for suckling the glucose-coated teat and displayed a significantly longer total suckling time in the taste test compared to the odor test. There were no significant differences between sexes regarding suckling behavior.ConclusionThe results of the present study show that glucose had a significant effect on the calves’ teat preference and significantly increased total suckling time with a dry artificial teat. As such, glucose may increase suckling motivation in non-efficient drinkers or ill calves with low motivation to suckle.

Reassessment of a designated baby-friendly health facility in Greater Accra Region, Ghana

Introduction : breastfeeding is a key component of infant health through the reduction of morbidity and mortality. In an effort to protect, promote and support breastfeeding the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was introduced in 1991, with the development of indicators for evaluating its implementation. For a facility to be designated as baby friendly, it goes through a process and after successful designation, there is periodic reassessment to evaluate adherence to the indicators. In 2015, we reassessed a metropolitan-level health facility in the Greater Accra region which was designated as baby friendly in 2004 to determine whether the ten steps to successful breastfeeding and the international code of marketing breastmilk substitutes referred to as the Code were adhered to. Methods : a cross sectional observational study with 90 respondents comprising 30 postpartum mothers, 20 pregnant women, 30 clinical staff and 10 mothers with babies in neonatal intensive-care were randomly selected and interviewed by a trained assessor using the WHO/UNICEF BFHI tools for external assessment. The WHO/UNICEF BFHI reassessment statistical tool which was used for data analysis records in percentages. Adherence rates were classified as low (0-49%), moderate (50-89%) or high (90-100). Results : overall, adherence to the BFHI was low (38%). Compliance to the ten steps to successful breastfeeding was low (42%); however, there was a high score (100%) for step 9 (no artificial teats or pacifiers). Moderate scores (60%), (83%) and (75%) were recorded for steps; 3(information on breastfeeding to pregnant women), 7(practice rooming in) and 10 (referral to breastfeeding groups in the communities) respectively. Low scores (0%), (4%), (27%), (32%), (8%) were recorded for the remaining steps; 1 (written policy on breastfeeding), 2(training all staff), 5 (show mothers how to breastfeed), 6(give infant no food or drink), 8(breastfeed on demand) respectively. The Code Recorded a moderate score (54%); though a low score (15%) was recorded for code 4 (importance of not giving samples of infant formula to mothers). Conclusion : the facility adhered poorly to the ten steps to successful breastfeeding and the Code of BFHI. Frequent monitoring and evaluation of the facility and capacity building of staff is recommended.

Influences of Non-Accession to Exclusive Breastfeeding: Understanding of Feminine Subjectivity

Objective: To investigate the difficulties experienced by mothers, that influence the failure of Exclusive Breast Feeding.
 Method: qualitative study, exploratory and descriptive. There were semi-structured interviews with 14 women. The data treatment occurred by means of the content analysis, in the form of thematic analysis.
 Results: Mammary complications; negative influences of familiar; job out of home and various household duties; insufficient information and weaknesses in communication among professionals of prenatal care; insertion of artificial teats (bottles) in the hospital.
 Conclusions: it was found that breastfeeding transcends biological concept, because it suffers social and cultural interference. Furthermore, woman as a social being is inserted in a context permeated by values which directly interfere in their attitudes.

The effect of a furnished individual hutch pre-weaning on calf behavior, response to novelty, and growth

Housing preweaned dairy calves in individual outdoor hutches is common in North America. However, this type of housing lacks stimulation and minimizes calves' ability to express natural behavior. Providing a social companion has been shown to stimulate natural behavior and promote growth, but no research has assessed the effect of providing physical enrichment items to calves pre-weaning. The objective of this study was to determine calf use of physical items added to an individual hutch, and if providing these items affected growth, behavior (e.g., locomotor play and sucking on pen fixtures), and response to novelty after weaning. At birth, Jersey heifer calves were allocated to 1 of 2 types of hutches: furnished (n = 9 calves) or standard (n = 10 calves). Calves were housed in individual hutches on loose gravel and bedded with straw. The outdoor enclosure of furnished hutches contained 2 artificial teats, a stationary brush, a calf "lollie," and a rubber chain link for calves to manipulate. Calves were video-recorded continuously between 0800 and 2000 h twice weekly at 1, 3, 5, and 7 wk of age; behavioral data were collected using the Noldus Observer software program (Noldus Inc., Wageningen, the Netherlands). At 63 d of age (after weaning), calf response to social and environmental novelty was tested. Starter consumption was measured daily, and calves were weighed at birth and weekly thereafter. Pre-weaning behavioral data were not normally distributed, so raw data were square-root-transformed before analysis. Calves used all of the items depending on the time of day, but they spent the most time using the brush. Calves housed in furnished hutches spent almost 50% more time engaged in locomotor play, but they spent the same amount of time sucking pen fixtures as calves housed in standard hutches. We observed no effect of treatment on growth, starter intake, or behavioral response to social and environmental novelty after weaning. Results suggest that providing some physical complexity to a standard hutch has some benefits for young calves, but further research is encouraged to determine the long-term effects of physical and social complexity for young dairy heifer calves.

The Usability of a Pressure-Indicating Film to Measure the Teat Load Caused by a Collapsing Liner

Prevention of damage to the teat and mastitis requires determination of the teat load caused by a collapsing liner. The aim of this study was to test a pressure-indicating film designed to measure the pressure between a collapsing liner and artificial teats. The Ultra Super Low and the Extreme Low pressure-indicating films were tested on two types of artificial teat. The experiments were performed with a conventional milking cluster equipped with round silicone liners. For each teat and film type, 30 repetitions were performed. Each repetition was performed with a new piece of film. Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed to detect differences between the pressure values for the different teats. The area of regions where pressure-indication color developed was calculated to determine the most suitable film type. Both film types measured the pressure applied to both artificial teats by the teat cup liner. Thus, the pressure-indicating films can be used to measure the pressure between a collapsing liner and an artificial teat. Based on the results of the present investigation, a pressure-indicating film with the measurement ranges of both film types combined would be an optimal tool to measure the overall pressure between an artificial teat and a collapsing liner.

Cluster With Flo-Star Max Claw With Crossing Milk Connection Pipes

Abstract Improvement of mechanical milking in the aspect of cow's udder health and maintaining correct milking parameters is possible through e.g. constant improvement of the structure of clusters. A cluster with a specific claw with crossing milk connection pipes Flo-Star Max with liners with a round profile of the barrel of DK1X. The objective of the paper was to analyse usefulness of this type of the sitructure of the machine for mechanical milking of cows. Measurements of simulated milking were carried out in a laboratory to the upper milking pipeline at variable mass intensity of liquid flow within 0-8 kg·min−1, for four penetrations of artificial teats of 100, 75, 62, 50 mm at the systemic negative pressure values within 50 to 44 kPa, simultaneous and alternating pulsation and during real milking of cows in a cowshed. Using a multivariate analysis of variance, the impact of independent variables of an experiment on the values of average vacuum of suction, vacuum fluctuations in cycle, average drop of vacuum in a cycle were proved. Analysis of the machine operation in a milking parallel parlour in real mechanical milking conditions and difficulties in placing a machine on the cow's udder as well as violent milk flow were reported and the milk flow of 3.5 kg·min−1 was exceeded with its characteristic balancing in the rhythm of a pulsator.