Baby Buddy 2.0, which launched last week, is a new version of the NHS-approved pregnancy and parenting app, Baby Buddy 1.0, which has supported over 350,000 parents since 2014 to build their knowledge and confidence and signpost them to further support.
Parents receive bite-sized daily information, personalised to where they are in their journey. There are also over 300 videos featuring stories from parents, advice from healthcare experts and tools to help manage pregnancy and beyond.
One of the new features includes a dedicated content pathway for fathers, written in collaboration with dads from all backgrounds, linked to organisations such as Future Men; the Fatherhood Institute; Dadvengers; Music Football and Fatherhood and Paternal Mental Health Support.
Scott Mair, an international campaigner and father’s perinatal mental health advocate, has worked closely with the Best Beginnings team to develop this.
He said, ‘I speak to dads every day who are struggling with fatherhood because no one helped them to prepare. Many people can’t afford classes and some don’t know they need it, particularly young dads, and, as a result, their relationships with their child and partner can suffer.
‘The launch of Baby Buddy 2.0 means that every parent has access to free information that can help them on their own individual journey to raising their child.’
Research has shown that one in 10 new fathers suffer from postnatal depression and, just like expectant and new mothers, they need support.
Evidence shows that when fathers receive the recognition, information and support they need to look after themselves, they become confident in their role as fathers, strengthen their partner relationship and are better able to care for their family. This results in better outcomes for themselves, their children and their family.
Mr Mair added, ‘If we, as a society, educate parents properly, we can reduce mental health problems and prevent relationships from breaking down.’
Bespoke content
The app contains content and checklists relevant to the parent’s personal journey through pregnancy and the first birthday; videos featuring parents and experts discussing everything from feelings before and after birth; top tips on nutrition and exercise; understanding a baby’s development and ways to support parent-infant bonding, as well as insights on how to nurture relationship with partners, and maximise relationships with health care professionals.
Independent academic evaluations of Baby Buddy 1.0, along with in-app feedback data has found that the app increases continuation of breastfeeding; improves mother and infant bonding; increases self-efficacy, parental knowledge, and confidence and helps parents get more out of appointments.
Alison Baum, CEO and founder of Best Beginnings, said, ‘Baby Buddy 2.0 is the result of many years of dedicated research and co-creation with parents, caregivers, frontline workers and royal colleges.
'It is an exciting step forward to ensure that parents of all backgrounds have 24/7 access to reliable and relevant information and to other services and support so that they have the knowledge and confidence to look after themselves and give their children the best start in life.’
She added, ‘We are passionate about improving outcomes for all children and we have an unwavering focus on reducing inequalities.’
Additional features
App users can design their own Baby Buddy avatar to support them on their journey, choosing everything from eye colour, hair type and facial hair. The ‘digital virtual best friend’ then guides them through every step of their pregnancy until their child’s first birthday.
Additional new features include:
- Daily personalised information up to a child’s first birthday (Baby Buddy 1.0 was 6 months)
- Daily personalised information for dads and non-birthing co-parents - the world's first free app to offer this
- A digital personal child health record to record growth, vaccinations, appointments and other milestones
- Tools to help you find information about maternity units in the UK and birth plans
Dr. Ranj Singh, ITV's This Morning’s resident doctor and co-creator of the BAFTA-award-winning CBeebies series Get Well Soon, has been involved in the development of Baby Buddy 2.0 from the beginning.
He said, ‘As a paediatrician, I think Baby Buddy 2.0 is a gamechanger – it’s easy to use, it’s easy to understand and it’s free. Crucially, I know that the parents and caregivers that use the app are getting evidence-based information that they can trust. And finally, here is an excellent resource that’s not just for mums; it’s also for fathers, co parents and caregivers too.’
For professionals
The new app also contains a separate log-in so that health care professionals and other professionals working with families can set up an account without having to register specific children or pregnancies. This way, they can have direct access to the range of content for the different parents that they support.
All the content has been endorsed by the Royal College of General Practitioners, Royal College of Midwives, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Community Practitioners and Health Visitors Association, Royal College of Psychiatrists, Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists, British Society of Paediatric Dentistry and Faculty of Public Health.
Baby Buddy 2.0 is available in App stores or on the Baby Buddy website: www.babybuddyapp.co.uk
Watch the launch video here https://bit.ly/BabyBuddy2LaunchVideo
For free posters, leaflets and pull-up banners for maternity services, children’s centres, GP clinics, pharmacies, and libraries complete the request for information form here.
More information
Best Beginnings is the national charity that works to inform and empower parents and caregivers of all backgrounds during pregnancy to their child’s fifth birthday, with an unwavering focus on reducing inequalities.