Text4baby
Text4baby is a free mobile educational service designed to promote the birth of healthy babies, particularly those in underserved populations. A program of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB), text4baby will help women have safer and healthier pregnancies by providing them with timely information they need to give their babies the best possible start in life.

The infant mortality rate in the U.S. is one of the highest in the industrialized world, and for the first time since the 1950s, that rate is on the rise. In addition, one of the leading causes of infant mortality is prematurity. Key predictors of a child’s chances for survival are birth weight and gestational age. Signifying a public health crisis, more than 500,000 babies are born prematurely and an estimated 28,000 children die before their first birthday in the U.S.

More than 1.36 trillion text messages (SMS) were sent and received in the U.S. in 2009, and this popular means of communication is particularly favored by women of childbearing age and minority populations. Therefore, it makes sense to deliver vital health information via text messages to those who need and want these recommendations the most.

While all expectant mothers and new moms may benefit from the text messages, text4baby is focused on reaching and engaging those populations who are statistically more at-risk to experience traumatic births, by promoting healthy behavior through mobile technology.

How It Works
By texting BABY to 511411 (or BEBE for Spanish), a woman will be signed up to receive three free text messages each week that are timed to her due date or baby’s date of birth. These messages focus on a variety of topics critical to maternal and child health, including birth defects prevention, immunization, nutrition, seasonal flu, mental health, oral health, and safe sleep. Text4baby text messages also connect women to prenatal and infant care services and other resources. Expectant or new mothers who opt-in to receive these text messages will incur no charges.

Founding Partners
Text4baby is made possible through a broad, public-private partnership that includes government and tribal agencies, corporations, academic institutions, professional associations, and non-profit organizations. Every effort has been made to block service from non-participating carriers but if you find you have been able to access the service and have subsequently been charged please contact the carrier in question to make them aware of the situation and to request a refund. They include: >>>