Free text messaging sends new and expectant moms health tips

‘Text4baby’ is the nation’s first free text messaging service that provides women with health tips via text messages during their pregnancy and throughout their babies' first year of life.

The short, simple texts provide critical information about prenatal care, nutrition, breast feeding, immunizations, safety and more and supply 800-numbers where users can get help with things like finding a doctor, quitting smoking or buying an inexpensive crib.

"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." "Premature babies need extra help with breastfeeding. Even if your baby can’t breastfeed at first, she can still be fed your pumped milk." These are sample messages from text4baby.

The National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition launched the service in partnership with numerous organizations. Partners include Johnson & Johnson and Voxiva, many of the nation's wireless service providers and U.S. government agencies.

More than half a million babies are born prematurely in the U.S. each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That fact was a key reason for launching the site, according to Arlene Remick, director of education for the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition.

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