A study to evaluate the effectiveness of Best Beginnings’ Baby Buddy phone app in England: a protocol paper

Deave, Toity; Kendal, Sally; Lingam, Raghu; Day, Crispin; Goodenough, Trudy; Bailey, Elizabeth; Ginja, Sam; Nightingale, Samantha; Coad, Jane

doi:10.1017/s1463423618000294

Cited by 9 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Mobile-Health (mHealth) technologies offer the potential to support traditional lifestyle interventions without increasing contact hours with clinicians (12). Smartphone apps have been proposed as a novel method to provide antenatal education, for example in improving glycaemic control (13), gestational weight gain (14,15) and maternal self-efficacy and mental wellbeing (16). A recent meta-analysis demonstrated the increasing prevalence of mHealth-supported randomized controlled trials for weight management in pregnancy (17).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrition, Behavior Change and Physical Activity Outcomes From the PEARS RCT—An mHealth-Supported, Lifestyle Intervention Among Pregnant Women With Overweight and Obesity

et al. 2020

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Background: Diet quality and physical activity positively impact pregnancy outcomes among women with obesity, but successful lifestyle interventions require intense clinician time. We aimed to investigate the impact of a behavioral-lifestyle intervention (PEARS) supported by a smartphone app among pregnant women with overweight and obesity, on nutrient intake, behavioral stage-of-change and physical activity. Methods: Pregnant women (BMI 25-39.9 kg/m 2 , measured, n = 565) were randomized at 15.6 weeks' gestation to the intervention (n = 278), or a control group (n = 287) (ISRCTN29316280). The intervention was grounded in behavior-change theory. Participants received nutrition (low glycaemic index and healthy eating) and exercise advice, a smartphone app and fortnightly emails. The control group received usual care which does not include dietary advice. At baseline and 28 weeks' gestation, dietary data were obtained through 3-day food diaries (n = 290 matched), and stage-of-change and physical activity data were self-reported. App usage data were collected. Results: There were no differences between the groups at baseline. Compared with the control group, the intervention group had improved dietary intakes post-intervention with; lower glycaemic index (MD −1.75); free sugars (%TE) (MD −0.98); fat (%TE) (MD −1.80); and sodium (mg) (MD −183.49). Physical activity (MET-minutes/week) was higher in the intervention group post-intervention (MD 141.4; 95% CI 62.9, 219.9). The proportion of participants at "maintenance" stage-of-change for physical activity was higher in the intervention group (56.3 vs. 31.2%). App use was associated with lower glycaemic index and less energy from free sugars, but not with physical activity. Conclusion: A behavioral-lifestyle intervention in pregnancy supported by a smartphone app improved dietary intakes, physical activity, and motivation to engage in exercise.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrition, Behavior Change and Physical Activity Outcomes From the PEARS RCT—An mHealth-Supported, Lifestyle Intervention Among Pregnant Women With Overweight and Obesity

et al. 2020

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“…Recruitment for the qualitative arm was from three maternity units participating in the main BaBBLeS study [ 10 , 11 ] (located in the Northwest, Southeast, and Midlands, England). The inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in Textbox 1 .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This observational study assessed the effectiveness of the Baby Buddy app in improving maternal self-efficacy and mental well-being [ 10 , 11 ]. It also involved a qualitative arm that aimed to understand when, why, and how first-time mothers use the Baby Buddy app and the perceived benefits and challenges [ 10 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First-time Mothers’ Understanding and Use of a Pregnancy and Parenting Mobile App (The Baby Buddy App): Qualitative Study Using Appreciative Inquiry

Bailey¹,

Nightingale²,

Thomas³

et al. 2022

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth

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Background Internationally, there is increasing emphasis on early support for pregnant women to optimize the health and development of mothers and newborns. To increase intervention reach, digital and app-based interventions have been advocated. There are growing numbers of pregnancy health care apps with great variation in style, function, and objectives, but evidence about impact on pregnancy well-being and behavior change following app interaction is lacking. This paper reports on the qualitative arm of the independent multicomponent study exploring the use and outcomes of first-time mothers using the Baby Buddy app, a pregnancy and parenting support app, available in the National Health Service App Library and developed by a UK child health and well-being charity, Best Beginnings. Objective This study aims to understand when, why, and how first-time mothers use the Baby Buddy app and the perceived benefits and challenges. Methods This paper reports on the qualitative arm of an independent, longitudinal, mixed methods study. An Appreciative Inquiry qualitative approach was used with semistructured interviews (17/60, 28%) conducted with new mothers, either by telephone or in a focus group setting. First-time mothers were recruited from 3 study sites from across the United Kingdom. Consistent with the Appreciative Inquiry approach, mothers were prompted to discuss what worked well and what could have been better regarding their interactions with the app during pregnancy. Thematic analysis was used, and findings are presented as themes with perceived benefits and challenges. Results The main benefit, or what worked well, for first-time mothers when using the app was being able to access new information, which they felt was reliable and easy to find. This led to a feeling of increased confidence in the information they accessed, thus supporting family and professional communication. The main challenge was the preference for face-to-face information with a health care professional, particularly around specific issues that they wished to discuss in depth. What could have been improved included that there were some topics that some mothers would have preferred in more detail, but in other areas, they felt well-informed and thus did not feel a need to seek additional information via an app. Conclusions Although this study included a small sample, it elicited rich data and insights into first-time mothers’ app interactions. The findings suggest that easily accessible pregnancy information, which is perceived as reliable, can support first-time mothers in communicating with health care professionals. Face-to-face contact with professionals was preferred, particularly to discuss specific and personalized needs. Further studies on maternal and professional digital support preferences after the COVID-19 global pandemic and how they facilitate antenatal education and informed decision-making are recommended, particularly because digital solutions remain as a key element in pregnancy and early parenting care. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.1017/S1463423618000294

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“…The app is reported to: increase parents’ confidence, skills, well-being; promote mother-infant attachment; reduce social isolation; support behaviour change (eg, one study showed a 9% increase in exclusive breast feeding) 30. However, a recent randomised controlled trial reported no impact on maternal self-efficacy 3 months postbirth, but a post hoc analysis indicated improved breast feeding at 1 month 31…”

Section: The Role Of Smartphone Technologymentioning

confidence: 99%

The First Thousand Days: early, integrated and evidence-based approaches to improving child health: coming to a population near you?

et al. 2020

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The ‘First Thousand Days’ refers to the period from conception to the child’s second birthday. It is increasingly gaining traction as a concept to guide public health policy. It is seen as a crucial window of opportunity for interventions that improve child and population health. This review outlines the origin and growth of the First Thousand Days concept, and the evidence behind it, particularly in the areas of brain development and cognition; mental and emotional health; nutrition and obesity; programming and economic benefits. The review then describes UK experience of use of the concept to inform policy, and a recent government inquiry that mandates more widespread implementation.

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A study to evaluate the effectiveness of Best Beginnings’ Baby Buddy phone app in England: a protocol paper

Cited by 9 publications

References 21 publications

Nutrition, Behavior Change and Physical Activity Outcomes From the PEARS RCT—An mHealth-Supported, Lifestyle Intervention Among Pregnant Women With Overweight and Obesity

Nutrition, Behavior Change and Physical Activity Outcomes From the PEARS RCT—An mHealth-Supported, Lifestyle Intervention Among Pregnant Women With Overweight and Obesity

First-time Mothers’ Understanding and Use of a Pregnancy and Parenting Mobile App (The Baby Buddy App): Qualitative Study Using Appreciative Inquiry

The First Thousand Days: early, integrated and evidence-based approaches to improving child health: coming to a population near you?

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