Infant Milk Storage Study

The Infant Milk Storage Study is a pediatric research program based at Hannover University Hospital in Hannover, Germany. We aim to generate high-quality data in the understudied area of infant milk. This research topic, while extremely relevant to parents and caregivers worldwide, is undervalued and underfunded by the scientific community. We are therefore pursuing a novel funding approach: a broad, community-based movement that harnesses the enthusiasm and resources of families dedicated to evidence-based parenting.

What we do

Our research focuses on the bacterial burden of residual milk left in the bottle after a feed. Current guidelines recommend discarding this milk after two hours, though this recommendation is based on little evidence. However, the wasting of milk, both formula and pumped human milk, likely contributes significantly to the financial and emotional burden of families. We aim to establish data-based guidance for parents regarding how long leftover milk can be safely re-offered to an infant.

Who we are

We are an interdisciplinary team of pediatricians, microbiologists, and laboratory specialists, currently running a single-center study to investigate the microbial burden of infant milk before and after feeding. To this end, we will perform laboratory tests on milk before and after an infant feeding session. We will incubate the residual milk under a set of variable conditions to establish when significant bacterial growth occurs. In a complementary project arm, we will also conduct an online survey to collect qualitative data on infant milk-feeding practices and experiences from the perspective of parents and caregivers.

Join us

If you would like to support our work, please consider a small donation to the Infant Milk Storage Study. Funds will be used to purchase equipment and materials for microbiological testing, as well as fairly compensate participating families for their time and human milk. We are excited to gain new insight into infant feeding and pioneer a community-based approach to funding scientific progress!

Prof. Dr. Christine Happle, PhD and Dr. Anna Zychlinsky Scharff

Hannover Medical School (MHH) Children's Hospital

Hannover, Germany