Can vitamin d ease new Mothers' stress and boost breast milk?

NCT ID NCT06919718

Symptom relief Sponsor: University of Idaho Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Sep 15, 2026 · Last updated Sep 16, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

Mothers of preterm infants face high rates of postpartum depression and stress, which can affect their health and their baby's development. This trial tests whether taking vitamin D supplements improves vitamin D levels and reduces stress and depression in Idaho mothers who recently gave birth to preterm infants. Researchers will also check whether the supplement changes the immune and hormonal makeup of breast milk. The study enrolls 80 mothers and compares vitamin D to a placebo.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Vitamin D (cholecalciferol) supplement
What this could lead to: If vitamin D helps, it could offer a low-cost way to ease postpartum stress and depression for mothers of preterm infants, and might improve the immune components in their breast milk.
What could go wrong: Past vitamin D trials for postpartum depression have given mixed results, and this study is small and limited to Idaho mothers. Vitamin D supplements are generally safe, but they may not change stress, mood, or milk composition at all.

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Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

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

About 80 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Dec 2024

Expected to finish

May 2027

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

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

18 to 64 years

Sex

Female participants only

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show 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: * Mothers (\>/= 18 years of age) of newborn infants (within first 4 months postpartum) in Idaho Exclusion Criteria: * Mothers (\<18 years of age) of newborn infants (within first 4 months postpartum) * Infants not anticipated to survive \>72 hours

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As listed by the trial registrant

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

Maternal stress

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

2 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

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Can vitamin d ease new Mothers' stress and boost breast milk?

What the study statuses mean