Social Support for Breastfeeding in the Era of mHealth: A Content Analysis

Abstract

Background:

Several barriers to successful breastfeeding exist, including a lack of support from peers or professionals. With the emergence of mobile health (mHealth) tools to provide additional breastfeeding support, a more thorough review of social support resources was needed.

Research Aim:

The aim of this study was to determine mHealth breastfeeding support resources and characterize the type of social support they provide.

Methods:

A content analysis of mHealth programs (n = 65), including text messaging (n = 12) and mobile applications (n = 53), was conducted on the basis of searches of the iTunes and Google Play stores (n = 50) and PubMed, the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health, and American Business Information/INFORM Complete Plus (n = 15). Results were then dual-coded for key characteristics and types of support provided.

Results:

Thirty-eight apps (76%) were free to users, 14 (28%) were offered in a variety of languages, and 47 (94%) provided informational support. The mobile applications were targeted largely to postpartum women, focused on breastfeeding duration, and included troubleshooting information. Mobile applications often included media components (n = 12 [24%]); few were tailored or personalized (n = 5 [10%]) and interactive (n = 15 [30%]). Text-messaging programs were available in a variety of countries (n = 7 [58%]) and provided mostly informational support (n = 5 [42%]), were pro-breastfeeding (n = 12 [100%]), were targeted to both pregnant and postpartum women (n = 6 [50%]), focused on both breastfeeding initiation and duration (n = 9 [75%]), and had two-way interactivity (n = 6 [50%]) and personalization (n = 5 [42%]).

Conclusions:

Although freely available mobile applications and text-messaging programs exist, with potential for wide reach, the majority provide only informational support. These programs would benefit from additional study of their usefulness.

Keywords

access to care breastfeeding breastfeeding support social support

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