Research Studies

This study plans to learn more about how mothers’ stress is related to how they feed their infants and toddlers. We know that stress can affect how we feed very young infants, but we do not fully understand the ways stress might affect how we feed our older infants and toddlers as they transition to solid foods.

This study plans to learn more about how mothers’ stress is related to how they feed their infants and toddlers. We know that stress can affect how we feed very young infants, but we do not fully understand the ways stress might affect how we feed our older infants and toddlers as they transition to solid foods.

Main Procedures Involved: If you join the study, you and your child will come to the Children’s Eating Laboratory (CEL) at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. We will schedule visits between 11 am and 2 pm any day of the week. Before your visit, you will be asked to fill out some surveys to tell us about you, your household, and your infant, including: - Your usual stress levels and how you feel most of the time - Your child’s appetite and eating behavior - Your education, employment, income, race, ethnicity, height, and weight - Your household, such as how many people live with you When you come to the CEL, you will be asked a few questions about how you are feeling, your recent sleep quality, and physical activity. You will then be asked to take a brief test and provide saliva samples before and at 3 different times after the test. We will analyze your saliva samples for the stress hormones alpha-amylase and cortisol. After the brief test, you will be asked some questions about the kinds of stresses you feel throughout a usual day, your child’s feeding history, and the feeding routines you have for your child. Your child’s weight, and length will be measured by the research team. You will be asked to feed your child a small meal or snack. We will provide the food for your child.

Duration of Participation: Approximately 1 hour