Parents and parents-to-be in Nottingham are set to benefit from Best Beginnings’ Baby Buddy app following a successful launch today with Small Steps Big Changes (SSBC).

SSBC, which is led by community healthcare provider and social enterprise Nottingham CityCare Partnership, is introducing the Baby Buddy mobile phone app to support parents and parents-to-be in Aspley, Bulwell, St Ann’s and the Arboretum.

Parent-focused

The free Baby Buddy app (available for iPhone and Android) delivers personalised pregnancy and parenting information and prompts for reflection and action. The app gives a daily ‘push’ of information, and users can customise their own avatar to act as their Baby Buddy - in the voice of a chatty, knowledgeable friend.

Head of SSBC Michelle Battlemuch said: “Baby Buddy is a fantastic app which really caters to the needs of new parents and provides accurate advice, in an accessible way. SSBC are dedicated to bringing this parent-focused programme to Nottingham to help support families and to give children the best start in life.

“We’ve been working closely with parents and health and early years professionals to explore how the app can be used to support expectant and new parents and we predict that it will have a big impact on the lives of many parents in Nottingham.”

Created with experts

The information available on the app is extensive, covering a whole range of issues, medical information and parenting advice. Other features on the app include educational videos, a calendar to plan important appointments and a diary to record and share the journey from bump to birth. 

One mum who has already tried the app, Steph Brannigan of Bulwell, said: “I think Baby Buddy’s a great app as it gives parents the space to ask questions, that they may think are silly, at any time day or night. The easy to understand chunks of information and choice to personalise your avatar is a great feature and what really sets Baby Buddy apart.”

The content of the app has been designed by experts and offers high-quality advice and reliable information. Baby Buddy is endorsed by the Department of Health and a number of other medical organisations including The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the Royal College of Midwives.

Download Baby Buddy

Baby Buddy has proved to be a success in other areas in the country, with over 40,000 downloads since its launch in November 2014. Feedback from its users shows that 94% of mums under the age of 25 feel Baby Buddy has helped prepare them for the arrival of their baby, and 93% feel that Baby Buddy is helping them get more out of their appointments with health professionals.

Parents and healthcare professionals interested in downloading the FREE Baby Buddy app can find out more here.