NICHD conducts and supports a variety of clinical research related to breastfeeding and breast milk. Select a link below to learn more about these projects.
- Mothers and Others: Family-based Obesity Prevention for Infants and Toddlers
In a randomized, controlled trial, researchers are testing the efficacy of a home visitation program to promote healthy weight gain for infants and toddlers in the non-Hispanic black population. Mothers and families in the experimental group will receive education on lifestyle behaviors to promote healthy weights during infancy. The control group will receive education on preventing injury during infancy. - Prevention of Iron Deficiency in Breastfed Infants
This is a randomized, controlled intervention trial of iron supplementation, compared with no supplementation, intended to study iron deficiency in breastfed infants between 5.5 and 9 months of age. - Impact of Dietary Supplements on the Intestinal Microflora of Premature Infants
In research funded by NICHD, researchers are examining whether supplementing the formula of infants with a dietary supplement to promote fecal microflora (beneficial microbes in the intestines) changes their intestinal microflora content. The researchers are seeking to determine the optimum dietary dose to promote fecal microflora in formula-fed premature infants that is similar to that of term breastfed infants, who have a predominance of bifidobacteria. The results of this study can be applied to later trials to examine the benefit of dietary supplementation on health measures, including intestinal health and other outcomes.
Information on current NIH-sponsored clinical trials on breastfeeding is available by following the link below or by calling 800-411-1222.
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