Evaluation of the effectiveness of an infant and family health and wellbeing text message intervention (Connecting 2u) in supporting expectant and new parents

INTERVENTION: The intervention will involve the delivery of C2u text messages to participants in addition to standard practice. The content of the C2u text messages are based on antenatal and postnatal care, focusing on health behaviours (maternal nutrition and weight; physical activity; alcohol, tobacco, drugs, medication consumption; immunisation reminders; appointment reminders), mental health and wellbeing, communication, bonding and attachment, infant feeding, preparing for parenthood/ becoming a parent, and circle of security. The intervention will commence at 16 weeks' gestation, with a duration period of around 12 months. The intervention will cease once the infant is six months of age. For the first 12 weeks of the intervention, the participant will be sent two text messages a week. This will be reduced to one text message a week, after the first 12 weeks, and until birth. After birth, the participant will be sent two text messages a week for the first 12 weeks. This will be reduced to one text message for the remaining weeks of the intervention. CONDITION: Maternal Confidence Parental Health Behaviours Parental attachment PRIMARY OUTCOME: Change in infant feeding practices as a result of project implementation. Change in Maternal self‐efficacy (confidence) as a result of project implementation. ; Change in parental attachment as a result of project implementation. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Change in alcohol consumption as a result of project implementation. ; Outcome is primary. Change in physical activity behaviours as a result of project implementation. ; Outcome is primary. Change in tobacco consumption as a result of project implementation. ; Outcome is primary. Change in vegetable and fruit consumption as a result of project implementation. ; Outcome is primary. The effectiveness of text messages to disseminate health promoting messages' as a secondary outcome. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Recruitment of Mothers: Mothers are twelve weeks pregnant and over, has a mobile phone, is over 16 years of age, does not require interpreter services, does not suffer from psychosis, and does not plan to place infant in foster care or adoptive care. Potential recruitment for postnatal analysis will occur in the late antenatal stage. As such, mothers can be recruited from 12 weeks' gestation until birth. Recruitment of Fathers Partner is at least 12 weeks' gestation and is over 16 years of age. Father is required to be over 16 years of age, owns his own mobile phone, does not require interpreter services, does not suffer from psychosis, and does not plan to place infant in foster care or adoptive care. Potential recruitment for postnatal analysis will occur in the late antenatal stage. As such, fathers can be recruited from when partner is 12 weeks' gestation until birth.