Infant Development Paid Research Study
Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are conducting a study in breastfeeding mothers and their infants to understand how nutrients in human milk support infant brain development and cognitive function.
Fast Facts
Who plan to exclusively breastfeed their infant until 6 months of age and have no family history of avocado, latex, or banana allergies
Breastfeeding mothers fewer than 3 months postpartum
Compensation
Provided Up To $225
Conducted in
Kannapolis, NC
Study Background
Researchers at the University of North Carolina are conducting studies in breastfeeding mothers and their infants to understand how nutrients in human milk support infant brain development, cognitive function, and overall growth.
Human milk provides essential nutrients that support infant brain development and cognitive function. The levels of certain nutrients in human milk may be influenced by a mother’s diet, biology, and other factors. This study aims to learn more about how specific foods may increase nutrients in human milk and how these nutrients relate to infants’ brain development and early learning. We also want to better understand how early nutrition supports healthy developmental pathways so that infants can reach their full potential.
Participating mothers and their infants will be involved in a 3-month study, including assessments at 3, 4.5, and 6 months of age. Infants will be evaluated for developmental milestones and recognition memory, while mothers will provide human milk samples for analysis.
Ultimately, the findings of this study may help researchers understand how nutrients in human milk support infant brain development and could inform dietary guidance for lactating mothers.
Study Background
Researchers at the University of North Carolina are conducting studies in breastfeeding mothers and their infants to understand how nutrients in human milk support infant brain development, cognitive function, and overall growth.
Human milk provides essential nutrients that support infant brain development and cognitive function. The levels of certain nutrients in human milk may be influenced by a mother’s diet, biology, and other factors. This study aims to learn more about how specific foods may increase nutrients in human milk and how these nutrients relate to infants’ brain development and early learning. We also want to better understand how early nutrition supports healthy developmental pathways so that infants can reach their full potential.
Participating mothers and their infants will be involved in a 3-month study, including assessments at 3, 4.5, and 6 months of age. Infants will be evaluated for developmental milestones and recognition memory, while mothers will provide human milk samples for analysis.
Ultimately, the findings of this study may help researchers understand how nutrients in human milk support infant brain development and could inform dietary guidance for lactating mothers.
Additional Information
In this research study, we are trying to understand how nutrients in human milk support infant brain development and early learning. We aim to better understand how a mother’s diet and biology influence nutrient levels in milk and how these nutrients affect infants’ cognitive function. Infant development is related to the nutrients they receive through human milk, as well as their early experiences and interactions, and we will measure all of these. We also want to explore whether certain foods consumed by mothers can increase nutrients in human milk. To do this, we are using nutritional and developmental assessments to track how infants’ brains respond to variations in milk composition and early feeding practices.
You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Breastfeeding mothers whose infant is less than 3 months old
- Planning to exclusively breastfeed to 6 months of age
- Gave birth at 38 weeks or greater gestation without remarkable incident
- Pre-pregnancy BMI <30
- No gestational diabetes
- Infant has no diagnosis or documented suspicion of developmental delay or seizures
- No family history of egg, avocado, latex, or banana allergies
- Willing to travel to Kannapolis, NC for 3 in-person visits over 12 weeks
The entire study lasts 3 months. Once enrolled, the study involves:
In the lab:
3 visits at the Nutrition Research Institute when your infant is 3, 4.5, and 6 months old. During each visit, you and your infant will participate in assessments that measure infant developmental milestones and brain function. These assessments include a recognition memory test and other evaluations to understand how nutrients in human milk support infant brain development.
From home:
Participants will continue feeding their infants as usual and follow guidance provided by the research team for the study. No app-based tracking or surveys are required at home for this study.
Study Outcomes:
The study aims to determine how certain foods consumed by breastfeeding mothers can increase nutrients in human milk and support infant brain development and cognitive function. Infant developmental milestones will be measured at 4.5 months, and recognition memory will be assessed at 6 months.
As a participant, you may receive up to $225.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.