Text4baby is an initiative that seeks to help more pregnant women and new moms increase their knowledge about caring for their health and giving their babies the best possible start in life.
The National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB) launched text4baby, the first free health text messaging service in the U.S. Thanks to grassroots efforts across the country, more than 260,000 users have enrolled in text4baby since its February 2010 launch.
Text4baby supports moms by providing accurate, text-length health information and resources in a format that is personal and timely, using a channel she knows and uses.
Pregnant women and new mothers who text “BABY” (or “BEBE” for Spanish) to 511411 receive weekly text messages (timed to their due date or their baby’s birth date) throughout pregnancy and up until baby’s first birthday.
The text messages provide information on a variety of topics critical to maternal and child health, including developmental milestones, immunization, nutrition, mental health, safety, and more. Text4baby messages also connect women to resources and national hotlines. The content of the messages has been developed by HMHB in collaboration with government and non-profit health experts.
Text4baby is made possible through a broad public-private partnership, including federal partners: the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Defense Military Health System, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Free messaging is generously donated by participating wireless service providers.