Improving breastfeeding practices for infants in India
Official title: Breastfeeding Education Support Tool for Baby
Funded at Thomas Jefferson University · NIH-10883109 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help new moms in India breastfeed better by offering them support and information through a friendly app and trained counselors, and it’s for pregnant women who want to learn more about breastfeeding before and after their babies are born.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Thomas Jefferson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $586,604 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD112492-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10883109 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women in Karnataka State, India, who are seeking support for breastfeeding.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who do not reside in the study locations may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance breastfeeding practices among mothers in India through a community-based program called the Breastfeeding Education Support Tool for Baby (BEST4Baby). The program provides prenatal and post-delivery education and support from trained peer counselors, utilizing a mobile health application to facilitate communication and guidance. The effectiveness of this intervention will be evaluated through a cluster randomized controlled trial involving pregnant women across multiple health centers in Karnataka State. Participants will receive either standard health education or the comprehensive BEST4Baby support, with follow-up assessments on breastfeeding duration and infant development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve breastfeeding rates and infant health outcomes in underserved communities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that community-based breastfeeding support programs can effectively improve breastfeeding practices and infant health outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Short, Vanessa L — Thomas Jefferson University
- Study coordinator: Short, Vanessa L
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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.