Feeding less to prevent baby fat: small study tests simple fix
NCT ID NCT04782063
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether reducing the amount of pumped breast milk or formula given to babies of overweight or obese mothers could prevent them from becoming overweight at 6 months old. Researchers enrolled 60 mothers and their infants, carefully measuring and limiting milk intake. The goal was to see if this simple feeding adjustment could lower the risk of childhood obesity.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- calibrated (reduced) milk or formula intake
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple feeding strategy to prevent obesity in infants at risk.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early study with only 60 participants. The approach may not work or may be hard to sustain in real life.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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60 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jan 2022
- Finished
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May 2024
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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16 to 50 years
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Breast Milk Calibration Study: Study women (pre-pregnant BMI 25-29.9 and ≥30) who are providing exclusive human milk via pumping and bottle (50%/50% male/female) will be recruited at the 3-6 week postpartum visit. * Formula Milk Calibration Study: Study women (pre-pregnant BMI 25-29.9 and ≥30) who are providing formula via bottle (50%/50% male/female) will be recruited at the 3-6 week postpartum visit. Exclusion Criteria: * Breast Milk Calibration Study: breast implants, prior breast surgery, flat/ inverted nipples, tongue-tie or low birth weight infants. * Formula Milk Calibration Study: low birth weight infants.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Penn State College of Medicine
Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, United States
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