How the timing of delivery affects breastfeeding success in mothers of critically ill infants
Official title: The effect of gestational age at delivery on lactation outcomes in pump-dependent mothers of critically ill infants
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11032891 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | March 23, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $137,488 |
| NIH project number | 5K23NR020537-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11032891 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are mothers who have delivered infants in the NICU and are pump-dependent for breastfeeding.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pump-dependent or whose infants are not critically ill may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the gestational age at which infants are delivered influences the ability of mothers to produce sufficient breast milk, particularly for those who are pump-dependent. The study will follow 188 diverse mothers of critically ill infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) during the crucial postpartum days 1-14. By comparing milk production and the onset of lactation across different gestational age groups, the research aims to uncover important factors that affect breastfeeding outcomes. This could help identify strategies to support mothers in producing adequate milk for their infants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved breastfeeding support for mothers of critically ill infants, enhancing the health outcomes for these vulnerable newborns.
How similar studies have gone: While there is ongoing research in lactation and breastfeeding, this specific focus on gestational age and its impact on pump-dependent mothers is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bendixen, Marion Marler — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Bendixen, Marion Marler
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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.