To help with the transition to parenthood, UBC researchers have launched SmartParent, Canada’s first parenting education program delivered by test message.

SmartParent is an evidence-based text messaging program developed by maternal and child health experts that sends you information timed to your baby’s age to help support you as you care for your baby during the first year of life. SmartParent is also your local and online guide to resources and services available to you and your growing baby.

The program was deliberately designed using text messages rather than as an app, because the text messages allow a convenient way to provide busy and often tired parents with the information they need, when they need it, in an engaging, accessible format. 

Dr. Patricia Janssen, professor at UBC Faculty of Medicine’s School of Population and Public Health, explains:

There is information on everything from growth and developmental milestones, infant safety, feeding and sleeping, follow-up and screening procedures, and vaccinations.

Importantly, SmartParent also provides information for parents about mental health and self-care. They will receive resources on how to deal with exhaustion, how to maintain healthy relationships, and how to manage the stresses of parenting.

The information is comprehensive and evidence-based. Parents can be reassured that SmartParent was developed by researchers from UBC in collaboration with Optimal Birth BC, the BC Ministry of Health and BC health authorities, and in consultation with pregnant and new parents, practicing nurses, doctors, midwives and experts in maternal and child health.

SmartParent follows the launch of SmartMom, a prenatal text-messaging program also developed by the UBC team; the two programs work in tandem. SmartMom supports mothers with information during each week of their pregnancy, while SmartParent continues that support for parents from the birth of their child through to the first year of life.

SmartParent is modelled after the SmartMom program, which has been very successful supporting healthier pregnancies. During the pilot phase, SmartMom users showed lower rates of gestational diabetes, healthier pregnancy weights, and were less likely to smoke during their pregnancies than non-users in our survey. Their newborns were also healthier. So, we know the model works.

Parents can register by texting the keyword smartparent to 12424, or by signing up at www.smartparentcanada.ca. Those interested in SmartMom can text smartmom to 12323 or visit www.smartmomcanada.ca.