NUS-developed app provides expert-backed resources to support new parents through the challenges of parenthood

A new mobile app designed by the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies is offering valuable support to new parents coping with the stress and sleep deprivation that often accompany the arrival of a newborn. Developed in collaboration with obstetricians, psychiatrists, nurses, and midwives from leading Singaporean healthcare institutions, the app delivers a wide range of resources tailored to local parents. These include videos, podcasts, and written articles that cover various aspects of infant care.

The app emerged from a three-year study conducted by Associate Professor Shefaly Shorey and her team at NUS Nursing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research focused on evaluating the app’s impact on parental and infant health outcomes. Findings from the study showed that parents who engaged with the app reported improved well-being and positive infant development outcomes during the perinatal period.

One of the key results of the study was the significant reduction in depressive symptoms among mothers who actively used the app. These mothers experienced a gradual improvement in their mental health, which was sustained for up to nine months postpartum. Conversely, mothers who did not use the app showed an increase in depressive symptoms. The app was also associated with higher levels of perceived social support, helping to mitigate some of the challenges new parents face.