Increasing Black Mothers’ MOM Feeding in the NICU with a Culturally Informed Lactation Team
Official title: Increasing Mothers' Own Milk Feeding to Black Infants in the Neonatal ICU: Training a Lactation Team in a Culturally Informed Behavioral Intervention
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11231799 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | June 17, 2026 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $234,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MD019363-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11231799 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Black mothers with infants in NICUs who are candidates for MOM feeding and who can participate in lactation support programs.
✕Less likely to help
Mothers of infants outside the NICU or those not focused on MOM feeding may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
In this project, NICU lactation teams will be trained to use motivational and acceptance-based approaches tailored to Black mothers to increase mothers’ milk feeding for infants in the NICU. The intervention focuses on addressing culturally specific beliefs and stressors that influence lactation decisions, aiming to help mothers initiate pumping and maintain MOM feeding. The study will measure MOM intake in Black infants, potential reductions in related health risks, and how well the culturally informed strategies work in real NICU settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could increase MOM feeding among Black infants in the NICU and improve health outcomes related to feeding and hospital readmissions.
How similar studies have gone: Past work shows MOM feeding benefits in NICU settings, and culturally tailored lactation support is a promising but still-evolving approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Northrup, Thomas Francis — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Northrup, Thomas Francis
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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.