Mobile apps in infant feeding: Usefulness & limitations

event

posted on 2025-07-02, 05:02 authored by Katrin LangtonKatrin Langton

Mobile apps in infant feeding: Usefulness & limitations<p></p>

History

Notes

NOTE: This 1hr Webinar was professionally recorded on June 27th, but is still being processed (forthcoming)

Extent

Online Webinar, 1x MP4 file; 1x Powerpoint Presentation

Research statement

Background Infant feeding and baby tracking applications continue to be exceptionally popular technologies, used by new parents as support tools to learn about and track infant feeding and care. Despite their popularity, the usefulness of these apps remains contested in public health research and practise. For instance, while the informational accuracy of breastfeeding information in these apps can be poor, there is also evidence that infant feeding apps can increase breastfeeding confidence and duration. This presentation provides a practice-oriented overview of infant feeding apps' usefulness in supporting breastfeeding, for health professionals. Contribution Learning objectives (What will participants be able to do following the presentation?): (1)Understand the usefulness and limitations of infant feeding and baby-tracking apps and similar tracking practices (e.g. potential impacts on infant feeding practices, parental self-efficacy and divisions in caregiving labour); (2) Help parents identify their motivations for infant feeding app use, including potential benefits and downsides; (3) Recommend complementary sources of support for infant feeding and caregiving to enhance parental wellbeing and self-efficacy; (4) Help parents assess the suitability of mobile apps to support infant feeding and early parenting Significance Over the past decade, infant feeding apps have been studied by health researchers as tools for public health promotion, and critiqued by media scholars as tools that discipline parents and datafy early parenting. This webinar synthesises the findings from both research areas, to provide a robust evidence that highlights the kinds of apps and app uses that can provide meaningful support to parents and improve health outcomes for families. It therefore provides a key training opportunity for health professionals to support new parents in the contemporary media environment - with and without the use of apps.

Publisher

Breastfeeding Conferences

Place of publication

https://www.breastfeedingconferences.com.au/index

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Keywords

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