Following on from the successful pilot, the Baby Milk Study from CEDAR and the MRC Epidemiology Unit in Cambridge has been awarded a grant by the National Prevention Research Initiative to recruit 700 babies to the study.

Researchers have been working with mothers and healthcare professionals to develop a feeding programme which aims to avoid excess weight gain in formula-milk fed babies.

UK surveys show that more than one in five children are already overweight (13%) or obese (10%) when they start school. Infancy is a period of rapid growth and weight gain and obesity prevention during this period may be effective. Nutrition and growth during infancy may also have long term effects by altering eating behaviours and risks of obesity and obesity-related disorders in later life.

Our research with parents in the Cambridge Baby Growth Study and other studies shows that parents who give their babies formula-milk as part of their everyday diet need more information and support. The programme we have developed aims to support parents who formula-milk feed their baby in order to achieve a healthy pattern of growth and weight gain.

The results of the study will help to inform infant feeding guidelines in the UK and will also help us understand the links between infant feeding, behaviour, appetite and growth.

The infant feeding programme is being tested in a randomized controlled trial .  One group are given advice and support to follow the new guidelines for formula-milk feeding. The other group are given general support and routine advice about formula-milk feeding and weaning. This comparison is important to test whether our new feeding programme is effective. The babies in the two groups are measured regularly until they are 1 year old.

If your baby is less than three months old and is receiving formula-milk feeds (exclusively or partially) and you are interested in joining the study, or would simply like any more information:

• Visit www.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk/Research/Studies/BabyMilk/
• Call us on 0800 7560878
• Email us at babymilkstudy@mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk.