Improving the storage of breastmilk to keep its nutrients intact
Official title: Extending shelf life and preserving the nutritional value of freezer-stored breastmilk
Funded at Pumpkin Baby INC. · NIH-11260395 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a way to keep breastmilk fresh and nutritious for longer by using natural ingredients, so breastfeeding moms can confidently store milk for their babies, even when they go back to work or face challenges with nursing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pumpkin Baby INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lawrenceville, United States) |
| Project start | April 10, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $55,000 |
| NIH project number | 3R41HD115506-01S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11260395 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include breastfeeding mothers who express and store breastmilk for their infants, particularly those facing challenges with lactation or returning to work.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not breastfeed or do not use stored breastmilk may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a method to extend the shelf life of breastmilk by using natural ingredients that help maintain its nutritional value during freezing and thawing. The approach aims to preserve essential fats, vitamins, proteins, and taste, ensuring that breastmilk remains a high-quality source of nutrition for infants. By addressing the common issue of nutrient degradation in frozen breastmilk, this research seeks to support breastfeeding mothers who rely on stored milk, especially when returning to work or facing lactation challenges.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could ensure that frozen breastmilk retains its nutritional quality, providing better health outcomes for infants.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been some research on preserving breastmilk, this approach using food-derived bioactive ingredients is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Pumpkin Baby INC.
Lawrenceville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Silpe, Justin E — Pumpkin Baby INC.
- Study coordinator: Silpe, Justin E
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.