We’re Your Resource for Human Milk Samples
Established 2014 as the first-ever human milk research biorepository in the nation, the Mommy’s Milk Human Milk Research Biorepository at UC San Diego is a continually growing research database of indexed human milk samples and associated clinical data that can be accessed by the scientific community. We partner with researchers like you to move human milk science forward by providing you with the data needed to answer critical questions that can inform child health and development.
Our Milk Samples
Each Mommy’s Milk participant is asked to provide a minimum 2-ounce (50 mL) sample of their breastmilk following a standardized protocol. Samples are pumped by participants in the comfort of their home into study-provided collection bags and immediately refrigerated. Within 24 hours of collection, they are shipped on ice packs and overnighted to the study office, where there are aliquoted and stored in -80° freezers.
Our Clinical Data
Each milk sample we collect is accompanied by maternal and infant clinical data. This data is collected via maternal phone interview as well as mailed and/or online questionnaires.
Clinical data points that are collected and available to the research community include:
- Maternal Age
- Race
- Ethnicity
- Education
- Income
- Primary Language
- Height
- Weight
- Preterm Birth
- Delivery Mode
- Child Birth Weight, Length and Head Circumference
- Child Apgar Scores
- Child Age
- Child Current Weight, Length and Head Circumference (at the time of the milk sample)
- Pregnancy History (Gravidity, Parity, spontaneous abortions, therapeutic abortions)
- Personal Medical History
- Family Medical History
- Lactating History (Lactating History and Duration)
- Child Eating Habits (Exclusive Breastfeeding, Formula, Solids)
- Pediatric abnormalities
- Adverse Reactions
- Maternal sleep habits
- Maternal exercise habits
- Maternal exposures (dose, frequency, dates for 14 days prior to collection)
- Milk sample collection conditions
- Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score
- State-Trait Anxiety Inventory score
- Perceived Stress Scale score
- Food Frequency Questionnaire
- Ages & Stages Questionnaire
- MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories
- Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers
Explore Human Milk Data at a Glance
Current demographic information for all Mommy’s Milk participants as well as select characteristics of the milk samples that are available for withdrawal from Mommy’s Milk can be viewed on our interactive dashboards. These dashboards allow you to filter by key clinical data points—such as maternal age, health conditions, medications, feeding practices, and infant outcomes—to better understand the scope of our biorepository.
With a few clicks, you can visualize patterns across thousands of milk samples, compare participant groups, and identify subsets that may be most relevant to your research questions. The dashboards are designed to provide transparency, promote collaboration, and spark new scientific insights into the complex biology of human milk.
Request Human Milk Samples for Your Research
Do you have research for which you would like to use Mommy’s Milk samples and data? Please review our list of Metadata Variables to learn which clinical data elements are available, then follow the instructions below to complete our Sample Request Form. By requesting samples, you’ll join a growing community of scientists working to better understand the unique properties of human milk and its role in infant and maternal health.
Our team is committed to supporting innovative projects that align with our mission, and each request is carefully reviewed to ensure responsible and meaningful use of this valuable resource. The request form will guide you step by step through the information needed to evaluate your proposal, from study design to specific data requirements.
Ready to get started? Complete the form below to take the first step toward advancing discoveries in human milk research.
