Family First Research Study

Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles are partnering with new mothers to learn more about an infant's first year of life. Join our compensated study today!

Fast Facts

infants 0-5 months old

biological mothers and babies

Compensation Provided

Conducted in los angeles county

Study Background

This research study is designed to better understand the experiences of new mothers and their infants during the first year of life.

The child will participate in a play-based developmental assessment and complete an eye-tracking task where they will watch a series of short videos while the research team tracks where their eyes are looking. There is an optional electrocardiogram (ECG) recording where the research team will measure the child’s heart rate, breathing and movement. A cheek swab sample and an optional urine sample will be collected from the child as well. 

Mothers will answer questionnaires, briefly play with their child, provide a cheek swab sample, and provide an optional blood sample.

Samples may be stored in a specimen bank, but you may opt out of this.

We would like to use the information from this study to build better well-baby visits and early childhood programs that will meet the unique needs of mothers and infants. Help advance research today and join our compensated study!

Additional Information

Our study aims to get a better understanding of how infants are developing during the first year of life, and how their development progresses. Our goal is to develop tools that support pediatricians in better understanding infant wellness on a biological level.

You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria.

Key Criteria:

  • Biological mothers & infants 0-5 months old
  • Mother is 18+ years old
  • Mother speaks English or Spanish
  • Mother was not diagnosed with preeclampsia while pregnant with baby
  • Baby is not premature (under 32 weeks)
  • Baby is not a twin, triplet, etc.
  • Baby did not have a NICU stay of 7 days or longer

You and your child’s participation in this study is completely voluntary and you can withdraw at any time. The study consists of 2 REQUIRED research visits (the first when baby is 6-months and the second when baby is 12-months) and 2 OPTIONAL follow-up visits (at child’s 24-months and 36-months).

Activities include:

  • Questionnaires
  • Cheek swab samples
  • Developmental assessments
  • Mom-child interaction task
  • Eyetracking
  • Vitals (height, weight, temperature, head circumference)
  • OPTIONAL blood sample from mom
  • OPTIONAL urine sample from child
  • OPTIONAL ECG (electrocardiogram) sensor for child

Compensation is provided up to $600 for your time. 
  • 6-month visit: $100
  • 12-month visit: $100
  • 24-month visit: $200
  • 36-month visit: $200

Additionally, at each visit, your child will be given a toy to take home.

There is no cost for you to participate in the study. If needed, our lab can arrange rideshare transportation to and from the appointment.