Perinatal support for breastfeeding using mHealth: A mixed methods feasibility study of the My Baby Now app.

Laws, RA; Cheng, H; Rossiter, C; Kuswara, K; Markides, BR; Size, D; Corcoran, P; Ong, K-L; Denney-Wilson, E

Perinatal support for breastfeeding using mHealth: A mixed methods feasibility study of the My Baby Now app.

Laws, RA Cheng, H Rossiter, C

Kuswara, K Markides, BR Size, D Corcoran, P Ong, K-L Denney-Wilson, E

Permalink

Publisher:: WILEY
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Matern Child Nutr, 2023, 19, (2), pp. e13482
Issue Date:: 2023-04

Open Access

Copyright Clearance Process

Recently Added
In Progress
Open Access

This item is open access.

Adobe PDF

Download Published versionAdobe PDF (1.85 MB)

View on publisher's site

View statistics

Full metadata record

Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Laws, RA
dc.contributor.author	Cheng, H
dc.contributor.author	Rossiter, C https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3833-3076
dc.contributor.author	Kuswara, K
dc.contributor.author	Markides, BR
dc.contributor.author	Size, D
dc.contributor.author	Corcoran, P
dc.contributor.author	Ong, K-L
dc.contributor.author	Denney-Wilson, E
dc.date.accessioned	2023-11-07T00:00:25Z
dc.date.available	2023-01-13
dc.date.available	2023-11-07T00:00:25Z
dc.date.issued	2023-04
dc.identifier.citation	Matern Child Nutr, 2023, 19, (2), pp. e13482
dc.identifier.issn	1740-8695
dc.identifier.issn	1740-8709
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/173110
dc.description.abstract	Despite the well-known benefits of breastfeeding, breastfeeding rates remain suboptimal, particularly for women with lower socioeconomic position. Although popular, breastfeeding apps are often poor quality; their impact on breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, confidence and intentions is unknown. A mixed method pre-post feasibility study was conducted to: 1) explore the feasibility of the My Baby Now app in providing perinatal breastfeeding support; 2) examine the impact on breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, confidence and intentions; 3) to examine any differences in acceptability and impact of the app according to maternal education. The My Baby Now app was offered to pregnant women 20-30 weeks gestation. Breastfeeding knowledge and intentions were collected at baseline (T1) and 36-38 weeks gestation (T2); attitudes and confidence were collected at baseline, T2 and T3 (8-12 weeks post-partum). App engagement was measured via app analytics. Qualitative interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample following T3. Of 266 participants recruited, 169 (64%) completed T2 and 157 (59%) completed T3. Mothers without university education rated the app to be higher quality, more useful and impactful than mothers with university education. From T1-T2, breastfeeding knowledge (59.6% vs. 66.5%, p < 0.001) and exclusive breastfeeding intentions (76.6% vs. 80.9%, p < 0.001) increased. Breastfeeding attitudes and confidence scores also increased significantly across T1-T2 and T1-T3. App engagement during pregnancy predicted changes in breastfeeding attitudes from T1-T2 among participants without university education. App engagement did not predict changes in breastfeeding knowledge, confidence or intentions. Future randomised controlled studies should examine the effectiveness of mHealth interventions on breastfeeding outcomes.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	WILEY
dc.relation.ispartof	Matern Child Nutr
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1111/mcn.13482
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	1111 Nutrition and Dietetics
dc.subject.classification	Nutrition & Dietetics
dc.subject.classification	3210 Nutrition and dietetics
dc.subject.classification	4204 Midwifery
dc.subject.mesh	Infant
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Breast Feeding
dc.subject.mesh	Feasibility Studies
dc.subject.mesh	Mobile Applications
dc.subject.mesh	Mothers
dc.subject.mesh	Telemedicine
dc.subject.mesh	Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Feasibility Studies
dc.subject.mesh	Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
dc.subject.mesh	Mothers
dc.subject.mesh	Telemedicine
dc.subject.mesh	Breast Feeding
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy
dc.subject.mesh	Infant
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Mobile Applications
dc.subject.mesh	Infant
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Breast Feeding
dc.subject.mesh	Feasibility Studies
dc.subject.mesh	Mobile Applications
dc.subject.mesh	Mothers
dc.subject.mesh	Telemedicine
dc.subject.mesh	Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
dc.title	Perinatal support for breastfeeding using mHealth: A mixed methods feasibility study of the My Baby Now app.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	19
utslib.location.activity	England
utslib.for	1111 Nutrition and Dietetics
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/WHO Collaborating Centre
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2023-11-07T00:00:23Z
pubs.issue	2
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	19
utslib.citation.issue	2

Abstract:

Despite the well-known benefits of breastfeeding, breastfeeding rates remain suboptimal, particularly for women with lower socioeconomic position. Although popular, breastfeeding apps are often poor quality; their impact on breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, confidence and intentions is unknown. A mixed method pre-post feasibility study was conducted to: 1) explore the feasibility of the My Baby Now app in providing perinatal breastfeeding support; 2) examine the impact on breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, confidence and intentions; 3) to examine any differences in acceptability and impact of the app according to maternal education. The My Baby Now app was offered to pregnant women 20-30 weeks gestation. Breastfeeding knowledge and intentions were collected at baseline (T1) and 36-38 weeks gestation (T2); attitudes and confidence were collected at baseline, T2 and T3 (8-12 weeks post-partum). App engagement was measured via app analytics. Qualitative interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample following T3. Of 266 participants recruited, 169 (64%) completed T2 and 157 (59%) completed T3. Mothers without university education rated the app to be higher quality, more useful and impactful than mothers with university education. From T1-T2, breastfeeding knowledge (59.6% vs. 66.5%, p < 0.001) and exclusive breastfeeding intentions (76.6% vs. 80.9%, p < 0.001) increased. Breastfeeding attitudes and confidence scores also increased significantly across T1-T2 and T1-T3. App engagement during pregnancy predicted changes in breastfeeding attitudes from T1-T2 among participants without university education. App engagement did not predict changes in breastfeeding knowledge, confidence or intentions. Future randomised controlled studies should examine the effectiveness of mHealth interventions on breastfeeding outcomes.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/173110