BUFFALO GROVE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ameda Inc., (Buffalo Grove, IL) today announced the acquisition of the line of Penguin® Nutritional Warming products from Creche Innovations (Stillwell, KS). With its established position in hospitals, Ameda is able to expand its line of products to this much needed unique milk warming technology for babies in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU’s).
“Acquiring the Penguin line of Nutritional Warming products provides a unique opportunity for Ameda to expand its product offerings in the NICU, and is the first of many new key initiatives the company will be undertaking to create a new Ameda,” said Dale Clendon, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Premature births represent 9.6% of births1 in the US according to Center for Disease Control estimates, with an average stay of 79 days in the NICU2 for these fragile newborns. These babies benefit from the vital nutrients of breast milk, but may not be able to breastfeed initially. In these instances, Mothers may use a Breast Pump to build a supply of pumped milk for future feedings, and refrigerate or freeze it. Ideally, the feeding should be warmed evenly to body temperature for the baby to get the most benefit out of each feeding. Research shows over-warming breast milk may break down valuable nutrients4, while under-warming breast milk can lead to digestive issues with premature babies3. For NICU Clinicians, use of the Penguin Nutritional Warmer brings milk to body temperature in a consistent and trusted way, which may promote greater feeding tolerance in the Very Low Birth Weight infant3.
“Ameda’s approach to the industry, of putting babies and mothers first, aligns perfectly with our vision and goals for the Penguin. We are pleased to have connected with a company, whose founder’s lifelong dedication, was to develop products that were best for mom and baby,” said Scott Norman, Chief Executive Officer of Creche Innovations.
About Creche
Creche Innovations offers only the highest quality products for the care of high-risk newborns. Our passion and mission is to design and create cutting edge products and to work with caregivers to meet the needs of infants and their parents.
About Ameda
For 75 years, Ameda is committed to healthy beginnings for Moms and Babies. Centered on Mom’s unique journey, Ameda wants every Mom and Baby to have the best possible start in life, and we believe breast milk is the best start for a Mom’s newborn child. Through products that fit seamlessly with Mom’s life, we support her with kind, steady guidance, – in the hospital, at home, at work, or wherever she might be. Our roots are in the hospital, and through a lifetime of conversations, research, and experience, Ameda strives to provide Healthcare Professionals with the products, tools, and information they need to better serve Mom and Baby.
References:
1 http://www.cdc.gov/features/prematurebirth/
2 Henry C. Lee, MD, MS, Mihoko V. Bennett, PhD, Joseph Schulman, MD, MS, and Jeffrey B. Gould, MD, MPH; Accounting for variation in length of NICU stay for extremely low birth weight infants; J Perinatol.; November 2013; 33(11): 872–876.
3 Gonzales I, Duryea EJ, Vasquez E, Geraghty N.; Effect of enteral feeding temperature on feeding tolerance in preterm infants; Neonatal Network, April 1995;14(3):39-43.
4 C. Darabant; Questioning Best Practices for Nutritional Warming in the NICU; Neonatal Intensive Care Vol. 26 No. 3, May-June 2013.
