WO2013124839A1

WO2013124839A1 - Compact and accurate weighing scale for babies

Info

Publication number: WO2013124839A1
Application number: PCT/IL2013/000021
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shahar Seifer
Original assignee: Bradley & Luka Ltd
Priority date: 2012-02-23
Filing date: 2013-02-24
Publication date: 2013-08-29

Abstract

An electronic hanging weighing device and weighing method, the device including a load sensor, a device handle coupled to the load sensor via a pivot mechanism having three degrees of freedom, a depending load support coupled to the load sensor and configured for holding a load, an elastic band affixed to the load support for attaching the device on the load, and a weighing unit coupled to the load sensor, the weighing unit including a load sensor, an Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) coupled to the load sensor electronic circuitry, and a micro-controller coupled to the ADC, for receiving digital measurement data of the load.

Description

Compact and Accurate Weighing Scale for Babies

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/602,089 filed on February 23^rd, 2012. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An accurate baby scale is required when proper baby feeding and baby growth are to be monitored. Determining the quantity of milk breastfed to the baby usually requires weighing the baby before and after a natural breastfeeding, with precision of about 5 grams. This requirement is traditionally met by expensive scales that include a weighing surface supported on four load sensors. Each such sensor requires separate calibration. The traditional baby scales also require a large space, which is not always available.

In addition, many baby scales are not designed to restrain the baby, and the baby can roll off or out of the weighting platform on the scale or can move during weighing, causing errors in the measured weight.

Accordingly, there is a long felt need for a compact, relatively inexpensive and safe weighing device for a baby that permits accurate measurement and monitoring of the amount of milk fed to the baby, and it would be desirable if the device could also be used to monitor the growth of the baby over time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the construction of a weighing device that is compact, accurate, safe for babies, and suitable for monitoring breastfeeding and proper growth of the baby. The identification of certain conditions that are needed for successfully achieving these goals is not trivial, and thus justifies the innovation of the claims. There is thus provided, according to the present invention, a weighing device for a baby including a handle for lifting the device, a load sensor coupled to the handle with 3 degrees of freedom, as by pivots, a ball joint or other similar device, a curved holder extending downwards from the load sensor and including a flexible band or belt for engaging a handle of a baby car seat, and a processor for calculating either weight of the car seat, weight of the baby before breast feeding or the weight of the milk fed to the baby after breast feeding.

There is also provided, according to the invention, a method for weighing a baby, the method including restraining the baby in a baby car seat, hanging a handle of the car seat from a rigid holder extending from a load sensor, the load sensor mounted with 3 degrees of freedom from a handle during weighing, lifting the handle and the baby car seat off of the ground to obtain a consistent, selected weight measurement, and storing the measurement data in a non-volatile memory together with an indication of which measurement was taken.

There is further provided a method for measuring milk consumption by a baby, the method including securing a baby in a baby seat before feeding, weighing the baby in the baby seat and storing a weight before feeding, securing the baby in the baby seat after feeding, weighing the baby in the baby seat after feeding and storing a weight after feeding, and calculating a difference between the weight before feeding and the weight after feeding to determine milk consumption during that feeding.

The invention also includes a method for weighing a baby including providing a hanging weighing device including: a load sensor; a device handle coupled to the load sensor via a pivot mechanism having three degrees of freedom; a depending load support coupled to the load sensor and configured for holding a handle of a baby seat; an elastic band affixed to the load support for holding the device over the handle of a baby seat; and an electronic card coupled to the load sensor, the electronic card including an Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) coupled to the load sensor, and a micro-controller coupled to the ADC, for receiving digital measurement data of the load; attaching the device to a handle of a baby seat by the depending load support using the elastic band, zeroing the load sensor when the load sensor is coupled to the load but is not lifted and when no load is acting on the load sensor, lifting the hanging weighing device to cause the empty baby seat to hang vertically from said load sensor, weighing the empty baby seat several times until a weight value repeats a pre-selected number of times within an expected accuracy and storing that value, securing a baby in the weighed baby seat, lifting the hanging weighing device to cause the baby seat with baby to hang vertically from the load sensor, weighing the baby seat with baby several times until a weight value repeats a pre-selected number of times within an expected accuracy and storing that value, and calculating a weight of the baby from a difference between a weight of the empty baby seat and the baby seat with baby.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention will be further understood and appreciated from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a basic setup of an exemplary device that includes a handle for the operator's hand, a rigid, curved arm and a stretchable band for attaching the device to the handle of a baby seat (shown in cross section);

Fig. 2 is a detail illustration of an example of an alternative pivot mechanism with three degrees of freedom that connects the handle of the device to an L-shaped plate connected to the load sensor;

Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional illustration of the pivot mechanism of Fig. 2 with a support element or cradle that decouples the weight of the handle of the device from the load sensor; Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary electronic card used in a weigbing device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary electronic card used in a weighhig device according to another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 shows a schematic example of connection of the weighing device with a computer via a USB communication cable;

Figs. 7(a) and 7(b) are exemplary screen shots showing a selector window for selecting a measurement to be taken and the results of one such measurement, respectively;

Fig. 8 shows a flow diagram of the operation of exemplary computer software suitable for operating the weighing device; and

Fig. 9 is a schematic illustration of a device according to the invention in use weighing a baby. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

The present invention relates to a weighing device for weighing a baby to track his or her growth and/or in order to determine the quantity of milk a breast fed (or bottle fed) baby has suckled. The device will now be described with reference to Fig. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a weighing device 10 according to the invention.

One feature of the device 10, of being compact and safe, is met by weighing the baby while the baby is lying or sitting in a safety seat (not shown), such as a car seat for newborn babies or infants, which includes a handle 20. In this way, the baby is restrained during weighing and cannot roll off the scale. The device functions as a hanging scale and is designed to be attached to the handle 20 of a baby seat and to be lifted by an operator by means of the device handle 12. The weight of the baby can be measured when the baby seat is above the ground, by the force between the device handle 12 and the load (i.e., the baby seat) attached to the other side of a load sensor 14.

The weighing device of the present invention is very accurate. This is accomplished by the following structure:

1. A single load sensor 14 coupled to the handle 12 is aligned exactly with the direction of gravity. This can be achieved as follows: 1.1. The attachment between the device and the handle of the baby seat is designed for self-alignment. As can be seen in Fig. 1, the handle 20 of the baby seat is supported from below in a curved rigid holder 16 extending downwardly from the load sensor 14 of the weighing device 10. The load sensor 14 is coupled to handle 12 by means of an L-plate 15, as known. The handle 20 (shown in cross-section) is held in place on holder 16 by means of a flexible or elastic band 18 or belt, which holds the handle in place from above and prevents the handle from sliding out of the holder 16. The position of the device in relation to the direction of gravity is fixed by friction until the device handle 12 is pulled by the operator to raise the baby seat above the ground. When the device is lifted, the elastic band 18 permits the handle 20 of the baby seat to pivot within holder 16 until the baby seat is hanging substantially vertically from the device.

1.2. The coupling between the upper part of the load sensor and the handle of the device is designed to have freedom in all directions during weighing, as by use of a ball joint or other pivot mechanism providing at least three degrees of freedom. In other words, the load can turn about the vertical axis of the pivot mechanism, it can swing forwards and backwards, and side to side, in order to reach a vertical orientation for optimal weighing. Thus, the orientation of the handle held by the operator is decoupled from the load sensor, so the load is free to hang vertically, regardless of the angle of the handle, and the weight measurement is not affected by misalignments and torsion forces coming from the hand of the operator.

2. The device is calibrated after complete assembly in the factory, using a selected calibration weight and data communication with the device. Thus, the risk of change in sensor properties after calibration due to the assembly is eliminated.

3. Zeroing is performed just before each measurement, when the device is coupled to the baby seat but is not lifted, so there is no weight acting on the load sensor. This permits adjustment of the weighing device to compensate for or substantially eliminate sensitivity errors due to internal stresses or temperature changes, etc. This zeroing is performed by using a cradle 17 (described in more detail below) that supports the weight of the handle of the device and decouples it from the load sensor. Thus, the zero level is not affected by the initial orientation of the handle or by torsion moments .

4. The distance between the handle of the device and the attachment location for the handle of the baby seat is reduced to a minimum, so any pendulum motion is reduced to a negligible level. 5. The motions of the baby are compensated by averaging many weight samples, and the consistency of the results is verified before fixing and storing the result.

A third feature of the device, which simplifies the task of monitoring breastfeeding and baby growth, is based on three operation modes and adaptation of filtering parameters to each mode. The three modes of operation are:

1. Weigh the empty seat - This measurement performs the tare weight process by weighing the empty seat together with the device. The resulting measurement acts as a zero reference for the baby weight measurements. This measurement is deleted from the later measurement of the weight with the baby to find the net weight of the baby.

2. Weigh the baby - This measurement permits the mother or caregiver to follow the growth over time of the baby and can be used as a base weight for detennining the quantity of milk suckled during feeding.

3. Weigh the baby for milk - This measurement, taken after feeding, and typically within one hour of weighing the baby, provides a calculation of the quantity of milk ingested by the baby during feeding.

An indication is provided by the operator, as on a user interface screen, for example as shown in Fig. 7(a), as to which measurement is to be taken. An algorithm running in a processor (not shown) in the device determines the mode of operation based on the operator input and based on the time of the measurement. In this way, the displayed result and filtering rules are chosen accordingly. The filtering rules may include rules such as, when weighing the baby, the weight cannot be below 2 kg. Depending on the measurement mode, either the weight of the baby or the weight of the fed milk may be displayed.

An optional feature of the device is a way to achieve cost effectiveness and compactness. It is based on eliminating the display, buttons, batteries, and high level computation and memory from the device. In these embodiments, the weighing device includes only mechanical parts, sensor, acquisition module, and a communication port. The power for the device enters from the communication port, and the measurement values and calibration values are transmitted via the communication port to an external computer for analysis and display. An update of the calibration setting may be received from a computer via the communication port and is stored in a non- volatile memory of the weighing device. The computer may be a PC (personal computer), smart phone, or any other processing device having a memory on which the required software can be installed. The communication port may be any suitable communication port, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) type port.

The following examples show baby scales according to various embodiments of the invention, which are compact, accurate, safe, and cost- effective. With further reference to Fig. 1, the device includes an elastic band 18 or other flexible ribbon or strap, preferably having a locking element 19 to fix the device over a handle 20 of a baby seat. In general, attaching the device to the baby seat handle can be based on one or more hooks with the addition of a band, a tie, or a fastener that releasably fixes the locking element in place without support.

The device includes a pivot of 3 degrees of freedom. According to one embodiment of the invention, shown i detail in Fig. 2, the handle 12* defines a hollow depending neck 24. The pivot mechanism providing 3 degrees of freedom includes a depending hook 26, slidable vertically in a bore through the device handle, preferably having a substantially closed eye 27, which sUdes in a loop 28 (shown in cross section) on the end of L-plate 15', a free hook supported inside a hook that can rotate in the base of the handle. A lock nut or ring 30 is provided on the other end of hook 26. Hook 26 is slideably mounted i a through-going bore 32 in handle 12'. A recess 34 is preferably provided in which lock nut 30 sits when the device is in operation, as shown in Fig. 2. The upper part of hook 26 forms a vertical axis of rotation, whereas the lower part provides two axes of motion. Thus, it can be seen that the load cell is self- aligned with the direction of gravity by way of: a) rotational freedom between the weighing device and the handle of the baby seat under a load; and b) the pivot mechanism that provides free rotation between the device handle and the load sensor.

Referring now to Fig. 3, there is shown a sectional illustration of a weighing device 40 including the pivot mechanism of Fig. 2. The device 40 further includes a housing 42, enclosing a card holding the electronic components of the system, to which the handle 12* is affixed. Housing 42 includes an upstanding neck 44 defining an inner recess 46 which receives the depending neck 24 of the handle. Upstanding neck 44 serves as a cradle support for the neck 24 housing the pivot mechanism (here the hook 26) of the handle. Housing 42 decouples the weight of the device handle from the load cell when the depending neck 24 rests in the cradle support, as shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary electronic card 50 used in a weighing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Electronic card 50 is coupled by wires to the load sensor 52, here illustrated as a load sensor of resistive bridge type. Electronic card 50 is disposed in a housing coupled to the device handle. Powering and sampling the load sensor signal is best implemented by electronic components based on a sigma-delta analog to digital converter (ADC) 54. This type of ADC provides more accurate results than do conventional analog to digital converters. ADC 54 is coupled to an internal power supply 56, e.g., one or more batteries, via a voltage regulator 58.

Power supply 56 also powers a processor, such as a micro-controller 60, which processes input signals and calculates a measured weight. Micro- controller 60 is coupled to a non- volatile memory 62 for storage of identification and weight data, as well as to a display 64 on which input data and weight data can be displayed. A mode selection switch 66 is provided so 3 000021

10 the operator ca input the selected weight measurement desired at any given time. A zero switch 68 is also provided for zeroing the device immediately before each measurement. A USB port 69 may optionally be provided for outputting data from the memory 62 to an external processor. Micro-controller 60 preferably runs a software algorithm that calculates the various weights, as described in detail below.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate a weighing device 70 constructed and operative according to another embodiment of the invention. As seen in Fig. 6, the electronic card 72 of weighing device 70 is coupled to an external processing device, or computer 74 via a USB communication cable 76 or in any other suitable fashion, including wired, radio, optical, or sound data transmission. The external processing device 74 may be a personal computer (PC), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a smart phone, or any other device configured for receiving data that can communicate, analyze, and display the results. Weighing device 70 includes a load sensor 80 coupled to electronic card

72. Weighing device 70 includes a device handle 82 coupled to the load sensor 80 via a pivot mechanism 84 and an L-plate 86. It further includes a depending baby seat holder 88 for holding the handle of a baby seat during weighing.

Fig. 5 shows a block diagram of an exemplary electronic card 72 connected by wires to a load sensor circuitry 52 of resistive bridge type that is part of the load sensor 80. Load sensor circuitry 52 is coupled to a sigma-delta ADC 54 coupled to a micro-controller 60'. In this embodiment, a communication port 69' and software for an external computer are provided in order to reduce the required components and the price of the device. External processing device 74 powers the other components of the electronic card via a DC/DC converter 55. The input of the communication port is designed for receiving calibration setting information, and the output of the communication port is designed for sending to the external processing device 74 both the measurement results acquired from the load sensor circuitry and the calibration settings read from memory. Thus, the device of this embodiment does not include an internal power source, processor, memory or display since they are provided by the external processing device 74 that runs the calculation software. The collected data from the load sensor are sent from the USB or other communication port 69' to computer 74 for processing. The weighing device further includes a data processing algorithm that, preferably, is based on (i) finding a result based on the average of samples over a pre-selected period of time, for example, between 0.5 and 3 seconds (in order to reduce influence from momentary movements of the baby or the seat); (ii) checking that such result repeats 3 times within an expected accuracy before locking on a value derived from these results; and (iii) correlating the locked value with the weight according to calibration data and the reference value (i.e., empty seat weight) that was acquired in a similar manner but without the load to be measured.

One suitable functional flow diagram of an exemplary method of operation of the weighing device according to the invention is shown in Fig. 8. First, the operator attaches the device to the handle of a baby seat and starts the weighing software (block 100). In the case where the processing is carried out in an external computer, the operator connects the weighing device to the computer (block 102), as via a USB cable. The operator attaches the device to the handle of the baby seat, while the baby seat is still resting on a floor or table. The operator ensures that the neck of the handle and pivot mechanism are resting in the cradle and the operator handle is in the upright position, so the operator handle is decoupled from the load sensor, and presses "Run scale" to turn on the weighing device (block 103). The device waits (block 104) until a "scale activity" window is shown (block 106). The processor now determines whether this is the first scale activity within a pre-selected period of time, here shown as one hour (block 108). If so, the default choice of operation mode is "weigh baby" (block 110). If not, it is assumed that the baby has been fed since the last measurement and the default choice of operation mode is "weigh baby for milk" (block 112). For the next 3 seconds, the zero balancing process is implemented and the operator should not touch the device or the operator handle (block 114). Preferably, a "zero process" alert is displayed on the display (block 116), either on the weighing device itself or on the adjacent computer. At the end of the zeroing process, a loop is started (block 117). Preferably, a textbox is provided that displays the sensed weight periodically, e.g., every second (block 118). For purposes of this calculation, the sensed value is determined by the difference between the present measurement and the measurement during the zero process, and it is scaled based on the ratio between such difference measured at the factory during calibration and the known calibration weight (in this example 5Kg).

The operator may change the default mode of operation by indicating a desired mode of operation (block 120), preferably selected from weigh baby, weigh baby for milk and weigh empty seat. An exemplary screen shot for such a selection is shown in Fig. 7(a). After this action, the operator is expected to raise the baby seat shghtly above the ground by lifting the handle of the device so the weight can be measured. The weighing device processor now determines whether the operation mode is "weigh empty seat" (block 124). A plurality of measurements are taken at predefined intervals, and averaged, for example, every 1 second, and the deviations from agreement between each pair of results are calculated. The selected (i.e., temporarily stored) value of the measured weight is set according to predefined filtering rules. In the illustrated example, if the mode is weigh empty seat, the value is selected when a positive weight repeats 3 times (during 3 seconds) with a deviation of less than 2 grams (block 126). The selected value can be displayed in a textbox entitled "empty seat [kg]" (block 128) and the value is retained until a higher, stable value is found (block 129). Thus, the operator can lower down the baby seat to ground without affecting the selected result. The measurements will continue in a loop by returning to (block 118) until the operator either accepts the result or cancels the operation (block 140). At this point, the window "scale activity" closes and the value is stored in the memory or written in the baby's file for use as the tare weight (block 150).

If the mode of operation is not weigh empty seat, that is, if it is desired to weigh the baby either to track his growth or to determine quantity of feeding, the operator places the baby in the baby seat and fastens the seat belt so the baby will not fall out. After the zero process is done (block 117) the operator is expected to lift the handle and the baby seat, as shown in Fig. 9, and measurements begin as described above. The selected value is set, in the present example, when a total weight above 2000 grams (2 kilograms) repeats 3 times (during 3 seconds) with a deviation less than 2 grams (block 132). The operator may lower the baby seat to the ground after the selected value is set without affecting this value. The processor now determines whether the operation mode is "weigh baby for milk" and if the weight of the baby has been acquired witlun the last hour (or other pre-set time period) (block 134). If not, the result appears in a textbox entitled "baby's weight [kg]". The displayed result will be the selected value minus the last known empty seat weight that was stored in the baby's file (block 136).

If the operation mode is "weigh baby for milk" and if the weight of the baby has been acquired within the last hour (or other pre-set time period), then the result appears in a textbox entitled "milk [gr]". The displayed result will be the selected value minus the previous weight of the baby that was stored in the baby's file (block 138). An exemplary screen shot for such a result is shown in Fig. 7(b).

The operation returns to (block 118) in a loop until the operator presses OK to accept the weight or Cancel to abort (block 140). If the result is accepted, the window of "scale activity" closes and the value is written to the baby's file. The focus now moves back to the main application window (block 150). It will be appreciated that the method according to the invention enables analysis and presentation of the history of milk quantities recorded for feedings over time, as well as the baby's growth curve. Another possible feature of the inventive weighing process includes correlating the results with other measurements related to breastfeeding and growth of the baby. For example, the software in the external computer can correlate between the milk weight records and records of a breastfeeding monitor, and use the correlation parameters to calibrate the breastfeeding monitor.

The connnunication with an external computer can be used for calibrating the device. The computer can trigger the device to store certain measurement results in the non-volatile memory of the device. The trigger is sent at the moment when a reference weight is loaded on the device (5Kg weight in the example). Thus, it is possible to calibrate the device after it is assembled, should this become necessary.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other appUcations of the invention may be made. It will further be appreciated that the invention is not limited to what has been described hereinabove merely by way of example. Rather, the invention is limited solely by the claims which follow.

Claims

1. An electronic hanging weighing device comprising: a load sensor; a device handle coupled to said load sensor via a pivot mechanism having three degrees of freedom; a depending load support coupled to the load sensor and configured for holding a load; an elastic band affixed to said load support for holding the device on supported part of the load; and an electronic card coupled to the load sensor, said card including an

Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) coupled to said load sensor, and a microcontroller coupled to the ADC, for receiving digital measurement data of the load.

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a non- volatile memory coupled to said micro-controller for storing weight data measured by the load sensor.

3. The device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a housing disposed about the load sensor, said housing mcluding an upstanding neck defining an inner recess, wherein said device handle includes a depending neck slidable disposed in the inner recess of said upstanding neck of said housing, a weight of the device handle being decoupled from the load sensor when the depending neck seats in said inner recess.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein said pivot mechanism holds the load hanging vertically from the load sensor irrespective of orientation of the device handle decoupled during weighing.

5. The device according to claim 1 or claim 4, further comprising a zeroing process activation button for activating zeroing of the load sensor before each measurement.

6. The device according to claim 1 or claim 4, wherein said weighing unit further comprises a communication port for communication with an external processing device, and a DC/DC converter coupled between said ADC and said communication port for providing power to said ADC and to said microcontroller.

7. The device according to claim 1 or claim 4, wherein said electronic card further comprises: a non-volatile memory coupled to said microcontroller; a power supply coupled to said microcontroller and via a voltage regulator to said sigma-delta ADC; a display coupled to said microcontroller; a mode selection switch coupled to said microcontroller for selecting a mode of weighing; a zeroing process activation switch coupled to said microcontroller; and a communication port coupled to said microcontroller for cornmunication with an external processing device.

8. The device according to claim 1 or claim 4, wherein said pivot mechanism includes a ball joint.

9. The device according to claim 1 or claim 4, wherein said pivot mechanism includes a hook slideably disposed i the handle and pivotally seated in a loop of an L-plate coupled to the load sensor.

10. A method for weighing a load, the method comprising: attaching a load sensor to a load using a load support and an elastic band; zeroing the load sensor when the load sensor is coupled to the load but is not lifted and when no load is acting on the load sensor; hanging the load vertically from said zeroed load sensor via a pivot mechanism having three degrees of freedom; and weighing the load more than once until a consistent weight value is reached.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein: said step of handing includes hanging said load sensor from a device handle coupled to said pivot mechanism and said step of zeroing includes supporting said device handle so a weight of the device handle is decoupled from the load sensor.

12. A method for measuring milk consumption by a baby, the method comprising: securing a baby in a baby seat before feeding; weighing the baby in the baby seat and storing a weight before feeding; securing the baby in the baby seat after feeding; weighing the baby in the baby seat after feeding and storing a weight after feeding; and calculating a difference between said weight before feeding and said weight after feeding to determine milk consumption during that feeding.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising collecting a plurality of said calculated difference to show a history of milk consumption.

14. A method for weighing a baby, the method comprising: providing a hanging weighing device including: a load sensor; a device handle coupled to said load sensor via a pivot mechanism having three degrees of f eedom; a depending load support coupled to the load sensor and configured for holding a handle of a baby seat; an elastic band affixed to said load support for holding the device over the handle of a baby seat; and an electronic card coupled to the load sensor, said electronic card including an Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) coupled to said load sensor, and a micro-controller coupled to the ADC, for receiving digital measurement data of the load; attaching the device to a handle of a baby seat by said depending load support using said elastic band; zeroing the load sensor when the load sensor is coupled to the load but is not lifted and when no load is acting on the load sensor; hfting the hanging weighing device to cause the empty baby seat to hang vertically from said load sensor; weighing said empty baby seat several times until a weight value repeats a pre-selected number of times within an expected accuracy and storing that value; securing a baby in said weighed baby seat; lifting the hanging weighing device to cause the baby seat with baby to hang vertically from said load sensor; weighing said baby seat with baby several times until a weight value repeats a pre-selected number of times within an expected accuracy and storing that value; and calculating a weight of the baby from a difference between a weight of the empty baby seat and the baby seat with baby.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising feeding the baby; securing the baby in said weighed baby seat; lifting the hanging weighing device to cause the baby seat with baby to hang vertically from said load sensor; weighing said baby seat with baby several times until a weight value repeats a pre-selected number of times within an expected accuracy and storing that value; and calculating a weight of suckled milk from a difference between a weight of the baby seat with baby before feeding and the weight of the baby seat with baby after feeding.

16. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: collecting said weight data over time; and storing said collected weight data associated with a particular individual for monitoring growth.

17. The method according to claim 14 or claim 15, further comprising: collecting said weight data over time; and storing said collected weight data associated with a particular baby for monitoring growth or milk consumption.

18. The method according to claim 15, further comprising selecting one of three operation modes, weighing an empty baby seat, weighing a baby seat with baby, weighing milk consumption, wherein said micro-controller is configured to adapt filtering parameters to the selected mode.