A new app helps to chart the way for young families
A new app developed by local health services will increase access to resources for local mothers and young families planning their pregnancy and breastfeeding journeys.
‘From Bump to Beyond’, developed by the Gateway Health and Northeast Health Wangaratta health promotion teams, offers support for pregnant and breastfeeding women in the local area.
Previously only available in hard copy, the pregnancy and breastfeeding journey maps are now included in the app, to help families navigate their new world.
Another feature on the updated app is a map listing all feed and change locations and facilities from Albury-Wodonga to Mansfield – a vital resource for young families on the move.
The app builds on the work of the Communities Latching onto Breastfeeding campaign, which began in 2013.
Jess Colman, health promotion coordinator at Gateway Health, said rapidly developing technology had enabled prepared resources to be made more accessible, interactive, engaging and user-friendly through the app.
“The aim is to provide a collaborative approach to help pregnant and breastfeeding mothers have a positive experience along their journey,” she said.
“It also educates women about the local services available to them, and is one element in the work we are doing to create supportive environments to help our community make healthy choices.”
Expectant mum Kathryn McQualter, who is due to welcome her first child in mid-2021, said she had downloaded the new app, and found it very helpful.
“Especially with keeping track of all the appointments you need to make, which has been a little overwhelming; the app really helps with that,” she said.
“Personally, it’s been helpful for me, as I’m tossing up whether to have my baby in Benalla or Wangaratta, so I can see the difference between the bigger hospital and the regional ones.”
Felicity Kennedy, whose twin daughters Grace and Evie arrived seven months ago, said the app was a very important resource for local parents, and she had sourced information on breastfeeding since her daughters’ arrival.
“There is something different every week or every month with breastfeeding, and it’s a whole different ball game with twins, so it’s really helpful,” she said.
Ms Kennedy said the feed and change map would also be a handy resource for parents while out and about in the region.
“To have it all in one place makes it so easy,” she said.
The app is now available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for Android, by searching ‘From Bump to Beyond’.
Article by Wangaratta Chronicle