Smart app helps mums and dads gear up for parenthood

Mums and dads-to-be in Northumberland are set to benefit from a new range of resources to support them in their journey through pregnancy and into parenthood.
Baby BuddyBaby Buddy
Baby Buddy

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is introducing Baby Buddy, the personalised multi award-winning digital smartphone app.

The interactive app is free to parents, and delivers high quality and reliable pregnancy and parenting information. It has been developed with input from mums and health and early years professionals, with endorsements from, among others, the Department of Health and the Royal College of Midwives.

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Midwives, health visitors and infant feeding co-ordinators from Northumbria Healthcare will signpost mums-to-be to the app and its resources. The app will also be promoted at local children’s centers.

Katharine Taylor, clinical manager for children and young families at Northumbria Healthcare, said: “These resources are fantastic and really cater to the needs of pregnant women and new parents, providing accurate advice in an accessible fun way.

“Here at Northumbria Healthcare we’re dedicated to bringing this parent-focused programme to help support families and to give children the best start in life. We predict that this will have a big impact on the lives of many parents in Northumberland and North Tyneside.”

Shannon Collins, who is pregnant with twins, is finding the Baby Buddy app really useful.

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Shannon, from Howdon, North Tyneside, said: “I use the Baby Buddy app all the time and it’s great that I can ask questions whenever I want about anything I’m not sure about.

“The information is easy to understand, it has good tips and advice and every day I get an update on how my bump and the babies are developing which is really reassuring.

“It also lets you put reminders in your calendar about appointments and things to ask my midwife which is big help. It’s definitely a great support and would encourage other pregnant women to give it a go.”

The resources have proved to be a success in other areas of the country - over 45,000 people have downloaded the app since its launch in November 2014, with 88% of mums questioned saying it helped them feel closer to their baby. In addition, the From Bump to Breastfeeding films have been viewed by over two million families since 2008, with 99% of mums who watched them before their baby was born saying they found it useful;.

To find out more about the resources and download the app visit the Best Beginnings website. The sets of films that are featured in the Baby Buddy app are on the Best Beginnings YouTube channel.