Preparing a baby bottle at the right temperature is a common yet critical challenge for parents and caregivers. Too hot, and it can scald an infant; too cold, and the baby might reject it. Current methods, like the wrist test or separate thermometers, are often unreliable or inconvenient, especially for sleep-deprived parents. A simple, intuitive solution could alleviate this stress while ensuring safety.

Color-Changing Bottle Concept

One way to address this problem could be to design a baby bottle that uses thermochromic materials to visually indicate temperature. The bottle’s exterior would change color based on the liquid inside:

• Blue: Too cold
• Green: Ideal temperature (~37°C/98.6°F)
• Red: Too hot

No batteries or external devices would be needed—just a quick glance to check safety. This could be particularly helpful for new parents, daycare workers, or caregivers of infants with feeding sensitivities.

How It Fits with Existing Solutions

Current options include digital bottle thermometers (requiring batteries) or separate warming devices, which add complexity. Thermochromic baby spoons exist but only warn about overheating, not the ideal range. A color-changing bottle would offer passive, real-time feedback, making it simpler and more versatile than existing tools.

Getting Started: An MVP Approach

Rather than redesigning an entire bottle from scratch, a simpler version could involve a silicone sleeve that fits over existing bottles. This would allow for:

• Faster testing: No need for new bottle tooling.
• Lower risk: Parents could try it without replacing their current bottles.
• Easier iteration: Adjust colors or materials based on early feedback.

Key questions to validate early include material safety (FDA-approved thermochromic pigments), durability (surviving repeated sterilizations), and user clarity (ensuring color changes are intuitive).

By focusing on simplicity and safety, this idea could fill a clear gap in baby care—without adding unnecessary complexity.