At-the-Breast Vs. Expressed Human Milk: Genesis of Infant Nutrition (BEGIN)

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER · Nov 13, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The BEGIN study is looking at how breast milk changes over time and how this affects babies' sleep patterns and gut health. Researchers want to understand the differences between babies who feed directly from the breast and those who receive pumped breast milk. This is important because it can help improve feeding practices and health outcomes for all babies who are breastfed.

To participate in this study, mothers need to be between 20 and 40 years old and should primarily breastfeed (at least 75% of the time) either directly or with pumped milk. They can enroll with their healthy babies who are between 0 and 1 month old. The study is currently recruiting participants of all races and ethnicities. Those who join can expect to contribute to important research that could benefit many families, especially those who use pumped milk. It's also important to note that non-English speakers cannot participate, and mothers who mix breastfeeding methods or have certain health complications are not eligible.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Lactating mothers between 20-40 years old at enrollment
• • o 120 mother/infant dyads who primarily feed HM ATB (average \>75% of feeds,
• • pumping no more than one time per day)
• • o 120 mother/infant dyads who predominantly feed expressed HM (average \>75% of feeds)
• • All races and ethnicities may enroll
• • Singleton infant delivered after 37 weeks
• • Infant between the ages of 0-1 months at the time of enrollment.
• • No serious health complications in mother or infant
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Non-English-speaking subjects as study personnel only speak English
• • Lactating moms who will be feeding both ATB and expressed HM (over 25% of the time in either feeding mode)
• • Infant supplementation with formula ≥10 oz before sample collections begin, and/or no more than 16 oz during active participation/ sample collections.