The Effects of Early Complementary Feeding on Growth, Neurodevelopment, Sleep and Gut Health

The overall objective of this project is to understand how consuming a prescribed diet of different infant foods (which may contain cereals,fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy) during the time of early complementary feeding (\~5 to 12 months) in breastfed infants has on growth trajectories, neurodevelopment and sleep patterns in relation to gut microbiota, compared with a traditional diet that is usually provided in the home to infants. The three primary aims include: Aim 1: Identify the effects that the prescribed early complementary feeding specific study diet has on growth trajectories in breastfed infants. Aim 2: Identify whether the relationship between the prescribed early complementary feeding specific study diet and growth is mediated by gut microbiota. Aim 3: Characterize infant neurodevelopment and sleep patterns.