Researchers want to learn more about human milk and how it influences child health and development. Parents want to know how to best feed their babies and keep them healthy. Together, we can achieve this goal. Participants can donate two ounces of human milk, and we’ll keep it safe for a role in future research projects.
INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS
You are eligible to participate if you are:
- 18+ years of age
- Currently lactating
- Willing to donate 2 oz. of human milk
You’ll be asked to:
- Donate 2 oz (50 ml) of human milk
- Complete an interview that will collect information about you and your family
- Complete an online questionnaire about your diet
- Fill out online questionnaires about your mood
- Submit questionnaires about your child’s development
Optional steps you can take to help us further our research include:
- Releasing medical records for you and your child so that we can look at your health and your child’s health in comparison to your milk sample
- Allowing us to contact you with information about other research studies no more than twice a year
- Allowing us to contact you to update your personal information no more than once a year
Frequently Asked Questions
Donation
Can I donate frozen milk?
Unfortunately, we are only accepting fresh milk samples at this time.
Location
Do I need to live in San Diego to participate?
No, we enroll lactating women from the U.S. and Canada in our studies. Each study has specific enrollment criteria, and a staff member will screen you to determine which study(ies) you may qualify for.
Can I donate in person?
Yes, for local participants we allow the option of pumping in person at our medical office using a hospital grade pump.
Where is your office located?
We are located in Kearny Mesa at 7910 Frost Street Suite 370 San Diego, CA 92123.
Biorepository
What is a biorepository?
A biorepository is a facility that collects, processes, stores, and distributes biological samples for research purposes. These samples are often linked with medical or demographic data. Biorepositories help researchers access high-quality specimens to advance knowledge and develop new treatments.
How will I know when my sample is used?
If your sample is used in a study, you will receive an email notification with a brief summary of the study and a link to the published research.
Medications
Will I be asked to take a medication for the study?
We do observational studies only. We do not ask you to take anything out of your normal routine.
Participation
Does the study cost anything to participate?
No, participation in our studies is completely free. We provide all necessary collection materials and cover any associated costs.
Do I have to release medical records?
Medical Record release is optional. We ask for medical record release to gain better understanding about our participants and to fill any gaps that you might not recall during our interview about your or your child’s health history.
Will I get paid for participating?
Some of our studies offer compensation and others do not. A staff member will screen you to see which study(ies) you may qualify for and they will let you know about compensation at that time. The most common compensation is a $15-$25 Target gift card.
What do I need to do to participate?
You can let us know you’re interested by filling out the interest form. Once we receive your referral and you are eligible, we will email you with information about participation and a 15 minute video to watch that explains the process. If you are not qualified for one of our current studies, you will receive an email with information to stay updated so we can reach out to you in the future with any new studies we start.
What are the steps to participate?
1. Watch the 15-minute video sent to your email.
2. After you watch the video, our study staff will schedule a 15 minute phone call with you to screen you for studies and go through the consent forms. During this call, we will set up a time for you to self-collect your samples in your home or in person at our lab.
3. If you self-collect at home, you will have another phone call with our study team. This is called an Exposure Interview and takes about 30-45 minutes of your time. We will then have FedEx pick up your samples at your front door and overnight them to our lab. If you are coming into the clinic, you will have a one hour visit with the sample collection and interview.