Studying how human milk changes and affects infant health
Improving Infant Health by Studying Human Milk as a Biological System: Composition, Dynamics, and Delivery (At-the-Breast vs Expressed Milk) (BEGIN)
This study is looking at how the makeup of breast milk changes throughout the day and over time to see how it affects babies' growth and health, especially comparing those who breastfeed directly to those who get expressed milk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11129926 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the dynamic nature of human milk (HM) and how its composition varies throughout the day and over time to meet the needs of infants. It aims to understand the differences in health outcomes for infants fed directly at the breast versus those fed expressed milk. By collecting daily HM samples from breastfeeding mothers and their infants, the study will analyze various components of HM, including hormones and nutrients, to see how these factors influence infant development, sleep patterns, and microbiome growth. The research employs advanced analytical techniques to provide a comprehensive view of HM as a biological system.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are exclusively breastfeeding mothers and their infants aged 1-4 months postpartum.
Not a fit: Patients who are not breastfeeding or whose infants are older than 4 months may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved feeding practices that enhance infant health and development.
How similar studies have performed: While the study explores novel aspects of human milk dynamics, previous research has shown that understanding the biological systems of milk can significantly impact infant health outcomes.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- University of Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Young, Bridget Victoria — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Young, Bridget Victoria
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 below.