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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

New mothers taking to apps for breastfeeding decisions

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Mobile phone apps are increasingly being used to support breastfeeding decisions-sometimes at a cost, researchers have found.


The objective approach of most infant feeding (IF) apps gives mothers perception of greater control, confidence and efficiency at a time of transition and stress in the early stages of parenting an infant, according to the study published in the Health Informatics Journal.


However, with more than 100 such apps available, the mobile content can also present new mums with another set of potential worries, including feeling overwhelmed by the information, concerns about over-reliance on the app, and even questioning the app’s advice, the research added.


“Overall the women interviewed in the study were positive about using such apps, “ said study researcher Jacqueline Miller from the Flinders University in Australia.


“Information stored in the app can provide a useful history to discuss with healthcare providers who can then provide much more individualised advice, particularly with breastfeeding,” Miller said.


“They are increasingly giving mothers a modern way of tracking aspects of baby care, including feeding regularly, sleep, growth and nappy changes,” she added.


The mobile health app market is booming, expected to exceed $30 billion by 2020.


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