How mothers' use of technology during feeding affects infant growth and self-regulation
Official title: Maternal technology use during feeding and infant self-regulation and growth
Funded at California Poly State U San Luis Obispo · NIH-11030845 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how using smartphones while feeding can affect how babies learn to manage their feelings and eat properly, and it’s for moms who want to understand how their tech habits might influence their little ones' growth and emotional health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | California Poly State U San Luis Obispo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Luis Obispo, United States) |
| Project start | May 5, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $496,036 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD104773-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11030845 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are mothers who are pregnant or have infants aged 0-12 months.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not mothers or do not have infants within the specified age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how mothers' use of technology, like smartphones, during feeding impacts their infants' ability to self-regulate emotions and caloric intake. It focuses on the interactions between mothers and infants during feeding times, assessing how distractions from technology may affect the quality of these interactions. The study will track changes in technology use from pregnancy through the first year of the infant's life and evaluate its effects on infant growth and emotional development. By understanding these dynamics, the research aims to provide insights into improving feeding practices and infant health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved feeding practices that enhance infant emotional and physical development.
How similar studies have gone: While the impact of technology on parenting has been explored, this specific focus on feeding interactions and infant self-regulation is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
California Poly State U San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ventura, Alison K. — California Poly State U San Luis Obispo
- Study coordinator: Ventura, Alison K.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.