Support Via Online Social Networks to Promote Safe Infant Care Practices

Purpose

This study aims to improve adherence to American Academy of Pediatrics safe sleep (SS) recommendations and improve rates of initiation and duration of partial and exclusive breastfeeding (BF); and reduce Black/White disparities in these practices through the use of private Facebook groups providing a) evidence-based education through videos and other multi-media supporting best practices and b) an online community and social network of other pregnant WIC clients and new parents.

Conditions

  • Breastfeeding
  • Infant Death
  • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Without Mention of Autopsy

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Genders
Female
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Currently enrolled in WIC, or it not, then have either Medicaid or no health insurance - Must be English speaking - Must be pregnant and less than 30 weeks gestation - Must live in the United States - Must have regular access to Facebook and short message service (SMS) texting (mobile phone)

Exclusion Criteria

  • Not planning to live in same home as infant after birth. - Prenatal diagnosis expected to impact on infant care practices in a manner not compatible with study goals, including contraindications to feeding any breastmilk or supine infant sleep positioning. - Known or reported mental health or other issues that would preclude custody of the infant or being able to participate in the informed consent process. - Meets the definition of a minor according to applicable state law. - Participants who consent to participation in the study, must complete the Agile Onboarding process before they reach 30+0 weeks gestation. - Currently or previously received a TodaysBaby educational program (randomized to a TodaysBaby program through either the SMARTER, or SUPERSONIC study), either in their current or a previous pregnancy.

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Prevention
Masking
Single (Participant)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Safe Sleep
Participants will be part of a private Facebook group from approximately 32 weeks gestation to 6 months postpartum. The Facebook group will provide a) evidence-based education through videos and other multi-media supporting best practices for infant safe sleep and b) an online community and social network of other pregnant WIC clients and new parents
  • Behavioral: Safe Sleep
    Participants will be part of a private Facebook group from approximately 32 weeks gestation to 6 months postpartum. The Facebook group will provide a) evidence-based education through videos and other multi-media supporting best practices for infant safe sleep and b) an online community and social network of other pregnant WIC clients and new parents.
Experimental
Breastfeeding
Participants will be part of a private Facebook group from approximately 32 weeks gestation to 6 months postpartum. The Facebook group will provide a) evidence-based education through videos and other multi-media supporting best practices for breastfeeding and b) an online community and social network of other pregnant WIC clients and new parents
  • Behavioral: Breastfeeding
    Participants will be part of a private Facebook group from approximately 32 weeks gestation to 6 months postpartum. The Facebook group will provide a) evidence-based education through videos and other multi-media supporting best practices for breastfeeding and b) an online community and social network of other pregnant WIC clients and new parents.
Experimental
Safe Sleep and Breastfeeding
Participants will be part of a private Facebook group from approximately 32 weeks gestation to 6 months postpartum. The Facebook group will provide a) evidence-based education through videos and other multi-media supporting best practices for infant safe sleep and breastfeeding, and b) an online community and social network of other pregnant WIC clients and new parents
  • Behavioral: Safe Sleep
    Participants will be part of a private Facebook group from approximately 32 weeks gestation to 6 months postpartum. The Facebook group will provide a) evidence-based education through videos and other multi-media supporting best practices for infant safe sleep and b) an online community and social network of other pregnant WIC clients and new parents.
  • Behavioral: Breastfeeding
    Participants will be part of a private Facebook group from approximately 32 weeks gestation to 6 months postpartum. The Facebook group will provide a) evidence-based education through videos and other multi-media supporting best practices for breastfeeding and b) an online community and social network of other pregnant WIC clients and new parents.
Active Comparator
Early Brain Development and Parent -Child Relationships
Participants will be part of a private Facebook group from approximately 32 weeks gestation to 6 months postpartum. The Facebook group will provide a) evidence-based education through videos and other multi-media supporting best practices for early brain development and parent-child interactions (control intervention) and b) an online community and social network of other pregnant WIC clients and new parents.
  • Behavioral: Early Brain Development and Parent-Child Relationships
    Participants will be part of a private Facebook group from approximately 32 weeks gestation to 6 months postpartum. The Facebook group will provide a) evidence-based education through videos and other multi-media supporting best practices for early brain development and parent-child interactions (control intervention) and b) an online community and social network of other pregnant WIC clients and new parents.

Recruiting Locations

Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, Massachusetts 02118
Contact:
Nicole Geller, MPH
617-206-6269
nls@bu.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
University of Virginia

Study Contact

Nicole Geller, MPH
617-206-6269
nls@bu.edu