Condition

Lactation clinical trials and research

• 10Clinical trials
• 46NIH research projects
• 8Countries

Newest Lactation clinical trials

All recruiting trials (10)

• Do GLP-1 medicines affect breastmilk production and milk quality after pregnancy

  This study will test whether weight loss from injected GLP-1 receptor agonists changes how much milk moms produce or the nutritional makeup of their breast milk.

  Recruiting University of Colorado, Denver · Aurora, Colorado · NCT07720414

• Breast milk mirikizumab levels in lactating people using mirikizumab for IBS/IBD

  This study tests how much mirikizumab passes into breast milk for people who are breastfeeding while on mirikizumab for an approved condition.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Phase 4 Eli Lilly and Company · Glenview, Illinois and 19 other locations · NCT07612267

• Exercise after pregnancy to activate infant brown fat

  This study will test if a mother's exercise during pregnancy and after birth changes her breast milk so it increases her infant's brown fat activity and energy use.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Joslin Diabetes Center · Boston, Massachusetts and 1 other locations · NCT07467694

• Sleep during the first 48 hours after birth and its link to breastfeeding motivation and success

  This project tests whether poor sleep in the first 48 hours after giving birth is linked to a mother's motivation to breastfeed and early breastfeeding success for mothers who start breastfeeding.

  Recruiting Acibadem University · Istanbul, Altunizade · NCT07413185

• Postpartum acupressure education to support exclusive breastfeeding

  Mothers who just gave birth will try a structured acupressure education program at home to see if it helps them exclusively breastfeed for 6 months, compared with standard postpartum care.

  Recruiting Nigde Omer Halisdemir University · Niğde, Merkez · NCT07410949

• Mindfulness and meditation lactation education for mothers of premature NICU infants

  This will test whether mindfulness and meditation training for mothers who are pumping for their premature NICU infants changes components of their breastmilk.

  Recruiting Mayo Clinic · Rochester, Minnesota · NCT07351799

• How medicines you take show up in breast milk and how much your baby might get

  See how medicines taken by breastfeeding women show up in breast milk and how much their babies might be exposed to.

  Recruiting at 3 sites University Hospital Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg · Copenhagen and 2 other locations · NCT07346716

• How exercising in hot versus cool conditions affects breast milk amount and makeup

  This project will test if a 60-minute moderate workout in hot versus cool conditions changes how much breast milk you make and what’s in it for mothers breastfeeding infants aged 6 weeks to 24 months.

  Recruiting Providence College · Providence, Rhode Island · NCT07036640

• Teaching parents to test breastmilk sodium levels in preterm infants

  This study is testing if teaching parents how to check the sodium levels in their breastmilk can help improve milk production for their preterm babies.

  Recruiting at 2 sites The Hospital for Sick Children · Seattle, Washington and 1 other locations · NCT06563726

• Evaluating drug excretion in breast milk after cimetidine administration

  This study tests how the drug cimetidine passes into breast milk in healthy new mothers to see if genetics affect how it's transported.

  Recruiting Phase 4 University of Washington · Seattle, Washington · NCT06056583

NIH-funded research (newest 40 of 46)

Early-stage science funded by the US National Institutes of Health. Most of these projects don't enroll patients, but they show what is being worked on.

• Iodized salt and early brain development in babies of pregnant and breastfeeding women in rural Ethiopia

  This grant tests whether giving iodized salt to pregnant and breastfeeding women helps their babies’ brain development.

  NIH research Brigham and Women's Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-11474405

• IMPILO: New 6-month RR-TB regimen in pregnant and breastfeeding women

  A study in pregnant and postpartum women with rifampicin-resistant TB will track how well a new all-oral 6-month treatment works and how well people stick to it.

  NIH research Medical Research Council of South Africa · Cape Town, South Africa · NIH-11421467

• Moringa in Breastfeeding: A mom-and-baby study

  This trial tests whether adding moringa leaf powder to mothers’ diets can increase breast milk volume and improve infant growth among undernourished families in Kenya.

  NIH research University of Kentucky · Lexington, United States · NIH-11418366

• Balanced Energy Protein Supplement for mothers and infants in LMICs

  A nutrition program tests if a ready-to-use protein supplement given to undernourished pregnant or breastfeeding women in South Asia can improve baby growth in the first 6 months.

  NIH research Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, United States · NIH-11406054

• UPLIFT: Understanding how HIV status shapes parental feeding choices

  A patient-centered study explores how people with HIV make feeding decisions for their babies and what supports help them choose and carry out feeding plans.

  NIH research University of Colorado Denver · Aurora, UNITED STATES · NIH-11403045

• Effects of iodized salt during pregnancy and breastfeeding on infant brain development in rural Ethiopia

  Pregnant and breastfeeding people in rural Ethiopia will receive iodized salt to see how it affects their baby’s brain development.

  NIH research Brigham and Women's Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-11393885

• Iodized salt for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers to support babies' brain development in rural Ethiopia

  This project gives iodized salt to pregnant and breastfeeding women in rural Ethiopia to see if it helps their babies' early brain, attention, and motor development.

  NIH research Brigham and Women's Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-11392837

• LATCH: Getting Breastfeeding Advice by Text Message to Help families

  A multi-year program will test a two-way text messaging system to give breastfeeding guidance and support to new parents, especially in Hispanic and Black communities.

  NIH research Yale University · New Haven, United States · NIH-11368019

• Genetic and genomic clues to lactation disorders in mothers

  Researchers are studying how genetics influence why some mothers have trouble producing enough milk, which can affect babies and families.

  NIH research Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · New York, United States · NIH-11366592

• Harnessing milk cells to support healthy metabolism

  A study using cells from human milk to understand how lactation affects metabolism, with the goal of helping mothers with obesity or diabetes have better lactation outcomes.

  NIH research University of Colorado Denver · Aurora, UNITED STATES · NIH-11361609

• Effects of restricting non-nutritive sweeteners during pregnancy on infant growth

  A study will test whether limiting non-nutritive sweeteners in pregnant and breastfeeding mothers affects how babies eat, grow, and develop in the first two years.

  NIH research George Washington University · Washington, United States · NIH-11339715

• Iodized salt in pregnancy and breastfeeding and infant brain development

  Pregnant and breastfeeding women in rural Ethiopia receive iodized salt to help support their babies' early brain, motor, and language development.

  NIH research Brigham and Women's Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-11336204

• Mammary Epithelium Permeability and Infant Health in Breastfeeding

  A study following breastfeeding families to understand how milk permeability affects milk quality and infant health.

  NIH research University of Massachusetts Amherst · Hadley, United States · NIH-11332784

• Mom's exercise during breastfeeding to boost baby metabolism

  This project tests whether moms' exercise while breastfeeding changes breast milk in ways that help babies burn more fat and have healthier body composition.

  NIH research Joslin Diabetes Center · Boston, United States · NIH-11323898

• How breastfeeding affects breast cancer risk

  This project looks at whether breastfeeding changes breast cancer risk, especially for women who delay their first birth or who have atypical breast cells.

  NIH research Baylor College of Medicine · Houston, United States · NIH-11321084

• Pregnancy RSV vaccine effects on newborns, breastfeeding, and child health

  This project looks at whether getting the RSV vaccine during pregnancy affects newborn health, breastfeeding, growth, development, and allergic outcomes in early childhood.

  NIH research Healthpartners Institute · Bloomington, UNITED STATES · NIH-11311951

• Understanding the cellular biology of lactation in a monkey model

  A study to map the cell types in the lactating breast of monkeys to learn why some people have trouble starting or continuing breastfeeding.

  NIH research University of California at Davis · Davis, United States · NIH-11305122

• Longitudinal imaging of the nipple-areolar complex during pregnancy and lactation

  This project uses noninvasive imaging to map how the nipple-areolar complex changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding to improve diagnosis for related conditions.

  NIH research University of California at Davis · Davis, United States · NIH-11288288

• Cutting back artificial sweeteners during pregnancy and breastfeeding

  This trial tests whether pregnant and breastfeeding people who reduce non-nutritive (artificial) sweeteners have healthier blood sugar, body composition, and gut microbiomes for themselves and their infants.

  NIH research George Washington University · Washington, United States · NIH-11284099

• How breastfeeding and the kidney help keep magnesium levels (role of MUC1)

  This research looks at how the kidneys change during breastfeeding to help mothers retain magnesium.

  NIH research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, United States · NIH-11252353

• Increasing Black Mothers’ MOM Feeding in the NICU with a Culturally Informed Lactation Team

  A NICU program will train lactation specialists to support Black mothers in starting and continuing their own breast milk for their babies, using culturally informed strategies.

  NIH research University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · Houston, United States · NIH-11231799

• Breastfeeding and infant-feeding support for parents living with HIV

  This project gathers information from parents living with HIV and their care teams to help guide safer, informed breastfeeding and infant-feeding choices.

  NIH research University of Colorado Denver · Aurora, UNITED STATES · NIH-11176675

• Understanding Milk Cells and Metabolism

  This project explores how cells from human milk can help us understand the connection between breastfeeding and a mother's metabolism, especially for those with obesity or diabetes.

  NIH research University of Colorado Denver · Aurora, UNITED STATES · NIH-11170629

• Investigating the effects of RSV vaccination during pregnancy on infant health outcomes

  This study is looking at how getting the RSV vaccine while pregnant can help keep newborns and young kids healthy, especially for moms at higher risk of having preterm babies, and it aims to reassure pregnant women about the vaccine's safety and benefits for their little ones.

  NIH research Healthpartners Institute · Bloomington, UNITED STATES · NIH-11166631

• Fortified balanced energy‑protein supplement for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers to support baby growth in southern Nepal

  Daily fortified food given to pregnant and/or breastfeeding women in Nepal to help their babies grow better during the first six months of life.

  NIH research Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, United States · NIH-11159542

• Exploring how breastfeeding affects metabolism and health

  This study is looking at how breastfeeding affects the health of mothers and their children, especially for moms who are dealing with obesity or diabetes, and it aims to find ways to improve breastfeeding for those women.

  NIH research University of Colorado Denver · Aurora, UNITED STATES · NIH-11141274

• Impact of early triclosan exposure through breastfeeding on liver health in adults

  This study looks at how being exposed to triclosan, a common ingredient in many products, through breastfeeding might affect liver health later in life, especially for those who eat a high-fat diet.

  NIH research University of California, San Diego · La Jolla, United States · NIH-11133614

• Understanding how breast milk composition affects infant health

  This study is looking at how the way breast milk is made can affect breastfeeding and your baby's health, aiming to find ways to improve breastfeeding and nutrition for infants.

  NIH research University of Massachusetts Amherst · Hadley, United States · NIH-11093448

• The effects of breastfeeding on breast cancer risk

  This study looks at how breastfeeding and having children later in life might affect the chances of developing breast cancer, especially for women with early signs of breast issues, to help them make better choices about breastfeeding.

  NIH research Baylor College of Medicine · Houston, United States · NIH-11072017

• Understanding how lactation affects eating behavior and energy intake

  This study looks at how certain brain circuits help new mothers eat more during breastfeeding, which is important for their health and their baby's health, and it uses mice to learn more about how these processes work.

  NIH research University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · Champaign, United States · NIH-11063190

• How lactation affects magnesium balance in the kidneys

  This study looks at how breastfeeding affects the way your kidneys handle magnesium, which is important for your health, especially since your body might need more during this time.

  NIH research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, United States · NIH-11049600

• How the timing of delivery affects breastfeeding success in mothers of critically ill infants

  This study is looking at how the age at which babies are born affects how well mothers can produce breast milk, especially for those who need to pump, and it aims to help support moms in making enough milk for their little ones in the NICU.

  NIH research University of Florida · Gainesville, United States · NIH-11032891

• Understanding breastfeeding and infant feeding choices for parents with HIV.

  This study is looking at how parents with HIV in the U.S. decide on breastfeeding and feeding their babies, aiming to understand their choices and get better support from healthcare providers to keep both parents and infants healthy.

  NIH research University of Colorado Denver · Aurora, UNITED STATES · NIH-11030948

• How maternal exercise during breastfeeding affects infant metabolism

  This study is looking at how exercising while breastfeeding might change the nutrients in your milk and help your baby’s metabolism, and it’s for moms who want to see if being active can make a difference for their little ones.

  NIH research Joslin Diabetes Center · Boston, United States · NIH-11029252

• Impact of reducing non-nutritive sweeteners during pregnancy and lactation on health outcomes for mothers and infants

  This study is looking at how cutting back on artificial sweeteners during pregnancy and breastfeeding might impact the health of moms and their babies, helping to provide better advice for women in this situation.

  NIH research George Washington University · Washington, United States · NIH-11019759

• Effects of a lifestyle change on breastfeeding and infant growth after pregnancy

  This study is looking at how a special program that helps new moms who are overweight or obese eat better and exercise can improve their breastfeeding experience and the quality of their breastmilk, so they can support their baby's growth and health.

  NIH research Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island · Providence, United States · NIH-11018673

• Conference on human milk and lactation research

  This conference is bringing together experts to share the latest discoveries about human milk and breastfeeding, helping to improve health practices for moms and babies while also offering chances to connect and learn from each other.

  NIH research Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, United States · NIH-11000655

• Improving treatment for painful breast infections in breastfeeding individuals

  This study is looking at how well different antibiotics work for treating lactation mastitis, a painful condition that many breastfeeding people experience, and it also wants to see if there are differences in treatment based on race and ethnicity.

  NIH research Trustees of Indiana University · Bloomington, United States · NIH-10952650

• Impact of iodized salt during pregnancy and breastfeeding on infant brain development in rural Ethiopia

  This study is looking at how giving pregnant women iodized salt can help their babies' brain development in rural Ethiopia, where many people don't get enough iodine, and it aims to find out if this can improve things like their babies' attention and language skills.

  NIH research Brigham and Women's Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-10891512

• Impact of a protein supplement on infant growth in Southern Nepal

  This study is looking at how a special protein supplement can help undernourished pregnant women and new moms support their babies' growth in the first six months of life, aiming to find ways to improve nutrition for families in need.

  NIH research Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, United States · NIH-10886065

Related topics

Quick answers

How many Lactation clinical trials are recruiting right now?

10, as of November 12, 2026. We update this list each time we refresh our data from ClinicalTrials.gov.

Where are these trials running?

In 8 countries. The most sites are in United States (7 trials), Denmark (2 trials), Turkey (Türkiye) (2 trials), Canada (1 trial), Germany (1 trial). Each study page lists its sites and which ones are recruiting.

What phases are they in?

Phase 4: 2. Trials with no phase listed are usually device, behavioural or observational studies.

How do I join one?

Open a study, check the "Is this trial a fit for you?" section, then contact the study team listed on the page. They will ask a few screening questions. Asking is free and does not commit you to anything. Talk it over with your doctor first.

Find the studies that fit you

A list is a starting point. Tell us your situation in your own words and we'll rank the studies that match and explain why. It's free and needs no account.

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