text4baby - Text4baby Messages

Text4baby Messages

Messages on Critical Issues

The text4baby service includes over 250 messages for pregnant women and new mothers. The comprehensive set of messages address:

•    Prenatal Care
•    Safe sleep
•    Immunization
•    Breastfeeding (for more information on the development of the breastfeeding messages, click here)
•    Diabetes
•    Nutrition
•    Oral Health
•    Immunization
•    Family Violence
•    Physical Activity
•    Safety
•    Injury Prevention
•    Mental Health
•    Substance Abuse
•    Developmental Milestones
•    Labor & Delivery
•    Car Seat Safety
•    Exercise

Women who sign up at any point during pregnancy receive a “starter pack” with critical information and encouragement to connect to care.

Message Development

The accuracy of text4baby content is of utmost priority for the hundreds of partners who promote the service, including public health agencies working at the federal, state, county, and city levels. In addition to ensuring medical accuracy, HMHB is committed to providing messages that are relevant, clear, understandable, and actionable by mothers of all literacy levels. Prior to the launch of the program, HMHB held informal discussion groups with pregnant women and new moms to gauge interest in text4baby, determine topics of importance, and explore the relevance and comprehension of sample messages. Simultaneously, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HMHB conducted a review of the literature and major medical guidelines to identify priority topics and critical content.

Message Input and Review

Dozens of federal agencies, national, state and local organizations provided input into the content development (scroll down to see full list). HMHB considered all feedback received and collaborated with a number of authorities on public health to determine how to move forward with each suggestion. Once developed, messages were reviewed again by experts from a range of key agencies and organizations (scroll down to see full list). HMHB would like to thank the many organizations who contributed to text4baby and helped ensure that mothers nationwide are receiving accurate information critical to the health of their families. For more specific information about the development of the breastfeeding content, please click here.

Message Testing

Post-launch, HMHB worked with the Health Literacy Team at Emory University School of Medicine to perform one-on-one cognitive testing of a sample set of messages with the target audience. Findings from the groups and interviews helped to inform content development and revisions. HMHB also tested the Spanish text4baby messages to ensure that messages have regional Spanish variation and that the content is consistent with norms and values of Spanish-speaking cultures.

Ongoing Revisions and Updates

HMHB released revised versions of the pregnancy and infant messages in spring 2011 and anticipates revising messages approximately once per year. Suggestions are taken into account as part of a significant review process and tremendous deliberation over the character count, timing, framing, and of appropriate wording for the audience.

Additionally, HMHB disseminates information to supplement the normal text4baby message system to alert users about especially timely maternal and child health issues. For example, during the pertussis outbreak in July 2010, text4baby worked in partnership with CDC to share important messages about prevention strategies with subscribers. In October 2010, the Food and Drug Administration requested that a text4baby message be sent to all users warning them about the dangers of sleep positioners. In 2011, HMHB worked in close collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics to issue an alert about its updated recommendation regarding car seats.

Sample Messages

Pregnancy Messages

•    Even if U feel great, a pregnant woman needs checkups with a Dr./midwife. To find care, call your health plan. For help with costs, call 800-311-2229.

•    A seat belt protects you & your baby. Shoulder belt goes between your breasts & lap strap goes under your belly (not on or above). Wear it every time.

•    If you’re anxious, depressed or feeling hopeless & don’t know where to turn, call Postpartum Support Int'l at 800-944-4773 for help & support.

•    Premature babies need extra help with breastfeeding. Even if your baby can’t breastfeed at first, she can still be fed your pumped milk.

•    Your baby will be here soon, & it’s time to get a car seat. The hospital won’t let you leave by car or taxi without one.

Infant Messages

•    You & anyone who cares for your baby need a whooping cough shot. The flu shot too during flu season. Call 800-232-4636 to find out where to get them.

•    Your baby’s mouth needs cleaning now—even before the first tooth! Wipe your baby’s gums each day with a wet washcloth or use a soft baby toothbrush.

•    Holding, talking, reading & singing to your baby help her learn. Soon your baby will coo, babble, hum & laugh back!

•    See the world from your baby's point of view! Crawl around on the floor to see where dangers are for baby. Curious babies will go everywhere!

•    Need help buying food for your child? WIC provides healthy food to qualifying children up to age 5. Connect to WIC by calling 800-311-2229.

The organizations listed below have contributed feedback to the message content.

Federal Agencies