Cal Poly is looking for mothers to participate in a three-month study aimed at promoting healthy feeding patterns and weight gain for bottle-fed infants.
The university is specifically looking for mothers with newborns to six-month-old infants who are bottle-feeding their babies using expressed breast milk or formula.
Participants will receive as many free baby bottles as needed, as well as $100 for taking part in the study.
Research assistants will visit mothers in their homes four times over the course of the 12-week study. They will observe mothers and infants during bottle-feeding, and they’ll measure the babies to assess growth and development.
“An infant’s first year is a critical period for growth and development that sets the stage for later eating behaviors, dietary preferences, and obesity risk,” said Alison Ventura, a professor in the Kinesiology and Public Health Department who is leading the study. “We hope that our research can help to ensure that all babies have the healthiest possible start and that all mothers feel confident and supported when feeding their infants.”
Researchers say the study will create a better understanding of how to promote healthy feeding and growth during early infancy.
Mothers who are interested in learning more or participating in the study can contact Noemi Alarcon at 805-756-5694, email healthykids@calpoly.edu, or visit the Healthy Kids website.
