Participate in a Study to Understand What Type of Milk is Best for Young Children

Do you have an infant who is getting ready to start drinking cow’s milk? Do you live in the San Francisco Bay Area? You are invited to participate in a 4-month study regarding child milk intake.

You can receive a gift card up to $200 and 3 months of free whole or nonfat cow’s milk for your participation.

To be eligible to participate, your infant must:

  • Be 11-12 months of age

  • Not yet be drinking cow’s milk

  • Not have milk protein allergies, lactose intolerance or other major illnesses/disabilities that could affect growth

  • Live with you in the Bay Area for the next 6 months

  • Have public or private medical insurance

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I have to do to participate?

Participation will occur over 4 months. In order to participate you will need to:

  • Introduce your child to drinking either whole or nonfat cow’s milk in a cup

  • Receive monthly phone calls with a registered dietitian

  • Have your child’s growth, diet, development and health measured

Do I receive money for participating?

Yes, you will get up to $200 for participating. You will also receive a 3-month supply of milk.

How do I participate?

Please call Nicole Vital at 510-987-9385 to get more information about the study.

How do I know I am eligible?

If you have an infant that meets the criteria below, you are likely eligible:

  • 11-12 months of age

  • Not yet drinking cow’s milk

  • Does not have milk protein allergies, lactose intolerance or other major illnesses/disabilities that could affect growth

  • Will live with you (the parent) in the SF Bay Area for the next 6 months

  • Has medical insurance

What will a monthly check-in phone call with a registered dietitian be like?

The dietitian will give you information on how to help your infant drink cow’s milk from a cup in amounts that are healthy. 

What will a study visit be like?

At the start and end of the study, a trained researcher, who has been immunized against COVID-19 and will follow safety precautions, will visit your home. She will measure your child’s growth and ask you questions about what your child eats and drinks and his or her development. Separately, you will be asked to take your child to a local clinic for a blood draw to measure your child’s blood lipids and vitamin D status.

Who can I contact if I have any questions?

You can call Nicole Vital at 510-987-9385 or email nvital@ucanr.edu if you have any questions.

Principal Investigator: Lorrene Ritchie, PhD, RD | 510-471-4760| lritchie@ucanr.edu | UC ANR, University of California Office of the President, 1111 Franklin Street, Oakland CA 94607, Attention: Nutrition Policy Institute

anisha patel