Texting to Promote Breastfeeding (TOPS)

A Proposed Randomized Clinical Trial of the Effectiveness of a New Breastfeeding- Supportive Texting Program Designed Specifically for African-American/Black Expectant Women, as Compared to a National Maternal Health Texting Program, on Rates of Exclusive Breastfeeding at 2 Months

The purpose of the study is to see if a program of text messages that support and promote breastfeeding for expecting and delivered African-American/Black women (called TEAM2BF), as compared to a national maternal health texting program (called Bright By Text), can result in more women being able to breastfeed their infant. Because breastfeeding is healthy for mothers and babies, and because fewer African-American/Black women decide to breastfeed and continue breastfeeding than many other racial and ethnic groups, researchers like us are trying to figure out ways to be supportive to African-American/Black mothers who might be interested in breastfeeding. The investigators will enroll up to 80 mothers and their infants at UHCMC.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Expectant women initiating obstetrical care <34 weeks or at any prenatal visit up to 34 weeks gestation
• Daily access to a mobile phone with text message capabilities,
• Self-identify as African-American/Black,
• English speaking, and
• Infant feeding plan of "might or will breastfeed"
• Receive care at Ahuja Midtown or MAC1200

Exclusion Criteria:

• Committed to feeding formula only to their infant
• No mobile phone with text capability