Timing breast milk feeds may help preterm babies sleep better

NCT ID NCT07645677

Not yet recruiting Symptom relief Sponsor: Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 17, 2026 · Updated 4 times

Summary

This study tests whether feeding preterm infants breast milk at the same time of day it was expressed can improve their sleep in the NICU. Researchers will compare this circadian-synchronized feeding approach to routine feeding in 120 preterm infants born between 28 and 36 weeks. Sleep patterns will be measured using a wearable EEG patch and sleep mat at 37 weeks corrected age.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Circadian-synchronized breast milk feeding (behavioral intervention)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a simple, drug-free way to improve sleep and help preterm infants develop healthier sleep patterns in the NICU.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage trial with only 120 infants. The feeding approach may not significantly improve sleep, and results may not apply to all preterm infants.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Premature Birth sleep disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

PRETERM INFANT SLEEP

Contacts and locations

Locations

Children's Hospital of Soochow University

Shanghai, Jiangsu, 215025, China
Fujian Children's Hospital

Fuzhou, Fujian, 350014, China
Nantong First People's Hospital

Nantong, Jiangsu, 226001, China
Nantong Maternal and Child Health Hospital

Nantong, Jiangsu, 226018, China
Shanghai Children's Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200127, China
Zhangjiagang First People's Hospital

Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu, 215600, China

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