RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Maternal High Fibre Fermented Diet Effect on Breastfed Infant Gut Microbiome

This study wants to learn if healthy food choices made by breastfeeding mothers can affect the friendly bacteria in their babies' tummies. Breast milk helps babies grow, and it contains special sugars that support a healthy gut. The researchers think that eating foods rich in fibre (like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) and fermented foods (like yogurt) might change these sugars in breast milk, which in turn could influence the good bacteria in a baby's gut. The study will compare mothers who eat more of these foods with mothers who don't, looking at both their babies' and their own gut health, breast milk, and any tummy troubles.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Glasgow

Enrolment target

Start

11 Mar 2025

Estimated completion

01 May 2028

Healthy Mothers Healthy Infants

What is this study about?

Breast milk is incredibly important for babies, providing everything they need to grow and develop, especially in the first six months. It contains special sugars, called oligosaccharides, which act like food for the good bacteria that live in a baby's gut. These good bacteria, known as gut microbiota, are crucial for a baby's overall health and development. Scientists are curious about whether what a breastfeeding mum eats could influence these sugars in her milk, and ultimately, the types of good bacteria that thrive in her baby's tummy.

This study will look at two main types of food: fibre-rich foods and fermented foods. Fibre is found in things like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and nuts. Fermented foods include things like yogurt and milk kefir. These foods are already known to be good for our own gut health. The researchers want to find out if mums who eat more of these foods will see a difference in their babies' gut bacteria compared to mums who stick to their usual diet. They'll also check how these diets affect the mum's own gut bacteria, the makeup of her breast milk, and any tummy issues for both mum and baby.

The main question they hope to answer is whether a special diet, high in fibre and fermented foods, eaten by breastfeeding mothers for two weeks, can change the gut bacteria of their breastfed babies who are between two and five months old. It's a way to understand more about how a mother's diet might have a positive impact on her baby's health right from the start.

Key takeaways

Study focuses on how breastfeeding mum's diet affects baby's gut bacteria.
Investigating fibre-rich and fermented foods like yogurt.
Looks at both mum's and baby's gut health, and breast milk makeup.
Involves a 3-week period, with a 2-week diet intervention.
Requires stool and breast milk samples from mum and baby.
Participants must be healthy, exclusively breastfeeding mums and babies (2-5 months).

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for healthy mums over 18 years old who are exclusively breastfeeding a healthy baby. Your baby must be between 2 and 5 months old and have been born full-term (not early). You'll need to be living in the Glasgow & Clyde area of Scotland to take part.

To be eligible, you shouldn't be taking long-term medications or have taken antibiotics in the last 12 weeks. You also shouldn't have used special gut supplements (prebiotics or probiotics) in the past four weeks. Neither you nor your baby should have any serious health problems, allergies, or chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or serious bowel issues. You should also not have had complications during pregnancy, such as pre-eclampsia.

You won't be able to join if you're expecting twins or triplets, if your baby isn't exclusively breastfed (meaning they've had formula or solid foods), or if you or your baby have certain medical conditions that prevent breastfeeding. Conditions like celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or lactose intolerance that could affect food intake would also mean you can't participate. You also shouldn't be following very specific diets like gluten-free unless for a medical reason not covered by the exclusion criteria, or a specific weight-loss diet.

Quick self-check

Are you a healthy mum, 18 or older?
Is your baby healthy, 2-5 months old, and exclusively breastfed?
Have you and your baby avoided antibiotics for the last 12 weeks?
Have you avoided prebiotic/probiotic supplements for the last 4 weeks?
Do you or your baby have any chronic health problems, allergies, or serious bowel issues?
Do you live in the Glasgow & Clyde area?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll first attend a one-hour visit at the study location in Glasgow. Here, the researchers will double-check that you and your baby meet all the study requirements, explain everything in detail, and answer your questions. If you agree, you'll sign a consent form, but remember you can always change your mind and leave the study at any time.

During this initial visit, they will measure your height and weight, and your baby's weight and length. You'll then be randomly placed into one of two groups for a two-week period. One group will be asked to eat a specific diet that includes more fibre (about 25g per day) and three servings of fermented foods daily, on top of your usual meals. The other group will simply continue eating their normal diet. You will not be provided with specific foods to follow this diet, but will be asked to add specific foods yourself.

Over the three weeks (one week to get ready, then two weeks following your diet group instructions), you'll be asked to complete tummy health questionnaires for both you and your baby twice. You'll also track what you eat over two separate three-day periods. Crucially, you'll need to provide three stool samples from your baby and two from yourself, as well as two breast milk samples. The total study duration, including the preparation week and the two-week diet period, is three weeks.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in a study like this might have potential benefits as it could help us understand more about how a mother's diet influences her breast milk and her baby's gut health, which could lead to better health advice in the future. You'll also learn more about your own and your baby's gut health. There are no direct medical risks expected from simply changing your diet to include more fibre and fermented foods, as both are generally considered healthy. However, collecting samples can sometimes be a bit inconvenient. There will be no benefits to you directly or financially. Remember, you are completely free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your or your baby's medical care in any way.

Locations (1)

Human Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of Glasgow
Glasgow, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is the main goal of this study?

The main goal is to see if what breastfeeding mums eat, especially fibre and fermented foods, affects the good bacteria in their babies' tummies.

What kind of foods are considered 'fibre-rich' and 'fermented'?

Fibre-rich foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and nuts. Fermented foods are things like yogurt and milk kefir.

How long will I need to be in the study?

The study lasts for a total of three weeks: one week to prepare and then two weeks following a specific diet plan.

What samples will I need to provide?

You'll need to provide three stool samples from your baby, two stool samples from yourself, and two breast milk samples.

Can I leave the study if I change my mind?

Yes, you can withdraw from the study at any point without needing to give a reason.

How to find out more

Nour Rizq, MSc

n.rizq.1@research.gla.ac.uk +44 141 956 0465 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.