Researchers at a Norfolk hospital are investigating how to help young babies who are struggling with sickness or colic.

Nurses at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn want to improve the welfare of young babies.

They're looking for more volunteers to take part in a clinical trial of a new milk called CINNAMON.

This trial aims to reduce sickness, upset tummy's, colic and skin irritations by using a newly developed milk formula.

Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) affects some babies under six months old when they move away from their mother's breast milk due to the increased level of protein in cow's milk and formula milk.

The new milk formula which is being trialed at the hospital can be digested much easier by the babies, helping them with their growth and wellbeing.

The QEH team is now looking for babies who are aged under six months, who suffer with two or more of the following symptoms - crying, regurgitation, liquid stools or constipation, skin atopic lesion, colic or a skin rash.

Research and development nurse Ping Coutts, who is running the clinical trial at the hospital, said: 'When babies move to cow's milk it is a big change to their diet.

'For babies affected by CMPA, this can result in the baby suffering a great deal of discomfort, as well as a great deal of stress for the parents.

'People aren't aware that cow's milk and breast milk are as

different as they are so they are unaware of conditions like CMPA.'

Dr Antonia Hardcastle, who is the senior research and development manager at the QEH, said early indications from the trial were hopeful.

'The participants who are already taking part in the trial have experienced progress and general improvement to the babies' wellbeing,' she added.

'We supply the milk, and care as well as developing the parent's knowledge about what their baby is experiencing.

'Research has shown that CMPA runs in the family, therefore the trial could benefit generations to come, with the growth in knowledge and development in the milk formula.'

Anyone wishing to join the clinical trial should call the research and development team at the QEH on 01553 214571.