A Pilot Breastfeeding-Supportive Texting Program for African American and Black Mothers

• Published in: Breastfeeding medicine Vol. 19; no. 5; p. 325
• Main Authors: Furman, Lydia, McAleer, Sarah, Brooks, Lasheena, Ronis, Sarah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-05-2024
• Subjects: Adult; Black or African American; Breast Feeding - ethnology; Breast Feeding - psychology; Feasibility Studies; Female; Health Promotion - methods; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Mothers - psychology; Pilot Projects; Pregnancy; Proof of Concept Study; Social Support; Text Messaging; Young Adult; text messaging; racial disparity; racism; breastfeeding; Black or African American; mobile applications
• ISSN: 1556-8342
• DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2023.0300

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended through age 6 months, and 24.9% of all U.S. mothers, but only 19.8% of African American or Black (AA/B) mothers, achieved this goal (2020). Smartphone technology, specifically short message service (SMS or texting), may provide a strategy to reach and engage AA/B women who otherwise face barriers related to racism in accessing breastfeeding resources. Unfortunately, few mobile health applications are designed for AA/B women.
We created a culturally sensitive breastfeeding promotion and support text message library that begins at 28 weeks prenatally and continues through 10 weeks postpartum. We tested feasibility and acceptability with a proof-of-concept (POC) trial that enrolled 20 AA/B women, and we tested content and perceived usefulness with a pilot study that enrolled 28 AA/B women.
In the POC trial, 95% of participants received all messages, demonstrating feasibility, and none requested fewer or to stop messages, demonstrating acceptability. In the pilot, >85% of participants responded positively regarding the number and helpfulness of the texts received, and whether the information was needed. Using a validated measure for online content for parents, >70% of POC and pilot study participants found that the information was very relevant or relevant, completely understandable, taught them something new, and "will help me improve the health or well-being of my child."
A new breastfeeding-supportive text messaging program intended for AA/B mothers appears feasible, acceptable, informative, and relevant. This is the first breastfeeding text messaging application of which we are aware that is tailored for the AA/B population.