Virtual Feed: Design and Evaluation of a Virtual Reality Simulation Addressing the Lived Experience of Breastfeeding

Document Title

Virtual Feed: Design and Evaluation of a Virtual Reality Simulation Addressing the Lived Experience of Breastfeeding

Document Information

• Subject Area: Application of Human-Computer Interaction and Virtual Reality Technology in Breastfeeding Experiences
• Keywords: Breastfeeding, Virtual Reality, Co-Design, Qualitative Research, Experience Simulation, Prenatal Education, Sensory Interaction, Sensitive Environment Design

Research Background and Problem Statement

• Existing Problems or Challenges:

  • Breastfeeding offers numerous benefits for both parents and children, but the actual feeding process is often more complex and challenging than expected.
  • Traditional prenatal education fails to adequately prepare prospective parents for the realities of breastfeeding, including emotional challenges and practical difficulties.
  • Existing ICT systems supporting breastfeeding are largely limited to theoretical knowledge dissemination and lack in-depth reflection of the "lived experience" of breastfeeding.

• Significance:

  • Challenges during the breastfeeding period can lead some parents to feel stressed, doubt their abilities, and ultimately abandon breastfeeding. Insufficient societal support for breastfeeding exacerbates this issue.
  • Enhancing parents' understanding of the complexities of breastfeeding can help bridge the gap between expectations and reality, supporting healthier breastfeeding practices.

• Research Motivation and Related Work:

  • Previous studies have suggested that virtual reality (VR) has the potential to simulate immersive experiences, complementing prenatal education by providing users with a more realistic understanding of the sensory and practical challenges of breastfeeding.
  • This study aims to address the limitations of existing technologies by using new interactive simulation technologies to help parents understand the lived experience of breastfeeding.

Proposed Solution

• Proposed Method or Solution:

  • Develop a virtual reality simulation system for breastfeeding (Virtual Feed) designed to showcase the lived experience and associated challenges of breastfeeding, supporting prenatal education.
  • The study is divided into three steps:
    1. Create an initial prototype to explore the basic applicability of VR technology in simulating breastfeeding.
    2. Conduct design workshops with 19 parents and expectant parents to co-design the system and further refine the design concept.
    3. Develop the final version of the breastfeeding simulation system and conduct user research with 10 participants to evaluate the experience.

• Innovations:

  • Use interactive technologies (e.g., virtual reality and haptic objects) to simulate the lived experience of breastfeeding, going beyond mere theoretical knowledge dissemination.
  • Place users in various virtual scenarios, such as private living spaces, public parks, and workplaces, to guide them in experiencing the social and environmental aspects of breastfeeding.
  • Incorporate virtual characters, sounds, and visual effects to simulate infant behavior, providing non-verbal cues to create immediacy and presence.

• Implementation Steps and Key Technologies:

  • Utilize Oculus Rift CV1 headsets, Leap Motion controllers for tracking user movements, and Unity to develop simulation scenarios.
  • Design a "baby behavior state machine" to simulate infant behavior through sound, interactive events, and time-triggered mechanisms.
  • Employ a low-poly aesthetic to avoid the "uncanny valley" effect while allowing users to customize the skin tones of the baby and user characters.

Research Outcomes

• Specific Results:

  • Successfully developed a multi-scenario breastfeeding simulation VR system, offering visual and interactive experiences in private living spaces, parks, and workplaces.
  • Participants generally found the simulation experience realistic, particularly the simulation of infant behavior and challenges, which helped them reflect on the complexities and realities of breastfeeding.

• Advantages Compared to Existing Solutions:

  • Unlike traditional technologies that merely convey knowledge, this simulation better reflects the challenges and emotional aspects of breastfeeding through interaction and immersive experiences.
  • The system highlights the uncertainties in breastfeeding and encourages parents to actively reflect on feeding practices while avoiding the stress caused by overly detailed emotional studies.

• Experiment or Evaluation Results:

  • User research demonstrated that the VR experience strongly resonated emotionally with participants' existing breastfeeding experiences, while also prompting reflection.
  • Some participants suggested improvements in the interactivity of infant behavior, such as stronger haptic feedback and real-time guidance.

• Limitations and Future Directions:

  • Limitations:
    • Difficulty in creating universally applicable design scenarios, such as diverse family environments and roles.
    • Lack of effective mechanisms to simulate the physical pain associated with breastfeeding.
    • Insufficient support for user customization needs.
  • Future Directions:
    • Expand simulation scenarios to accommodate diverse cultural backgrounds and economic conditions.
    • Strengthen collaboration with the healthcare sector to further enhance the realism and educational value of breastfeeding scenarios.
    • Explore better integration of the system into prenatal education, such as through quantitative impact assessments.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates that virtual reality technology can effectively convey the "lived experience" of breastfeeding, complementing prenatal education. As one of the first studies to support breastfeeding through immersive experiences rather than knowledge dissemination, this work helps parents understand the social and sensory challenges of breastfeeding while highlighting the challenges of applying technology in intimate contexts.