After having a baby, many new mothers struggle to find time and motivation to take care of their own health. Researchers created a smartphone app called Healthy Together that includes podcasts, weight tracking, and exercise videos to help new moms stay healthy during the first six months after birth. In this small study of 34 women, most who used the app found it helpful and said they would recommend it to other mothers. Women who used the app gained slightly less weight than those who didn’t use it, though the difference was small. The findings suggest this type of app could be a useful tool for supporting new mothers’ health, but more research with larger groups is needed.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a smartphone app designed to help new mothers stay healthy after giving birth actually works and if mothers find it useful
  • Who participated: 34 women who had recently given birth, with an average age of about 30 years old. Most were healthy weight before pregnancy. Women used the app from 3 weeks to 6 months after having their baby
  • Key finding: About 70% of mothers who tried the app said they would recommend it to others, and roughly half reported it helped improve their health. Mothers who used the app gained slightly less weight (0.6 pounds) compared to those who didn’t use it (0.9 pounds) over the 6-month period
  • What it means for you: If you’re a new mother looking for support staying healthy after birth, this app may be worth trying. However, this is still an early-stage study, so it’s not yet proven to work for everyone. Talk to your doctor before starting any new health program after pregnancy

The Research Details

Researchers created a smartphone app called Healthy Together and gave it to 34 new mothers to use for six months after giving birth. The app included podcasts (audio talks), weight tracking tools, and exercise videos. The researchers tracked how often mothers used the app and what features they used most. At the end of the study, 28 mothers answered questions about their experience, and 18 mothers participated in detailed interviews where they shared their thoughts and feelings about using the app.

This type of study is called a ‘pilot study,’ which means it’s a small test to see if something might work before doing a bigger, more expensive study. The researchers wanted to understand not just whether the app was used, but also how mothers felt about it and whether it actually helped them stay healthier.

New mothers face unique challenges when trying to stay healthy. They’re often tired, busy with baby care, and may feel isolated. A smartphone app could reach mothers at home and provide support whenever they need it. By studying how mothers actually use the app and what they think about it, researchers can improve the tool before testing it with larger groups of women

This is a small pilot study, which means the results are preliminary and shouldn’t be considered final proof. The study included only 34 women, and not all of them answered the follow-up questions or interviews. About one-third of users experienced technical problems with the app. The study didn’t have a comparison group of mothers who received different support, which would make the results stronger. However, the study did combine two types of information—how much the app was used (numbers) and what mothers thought about it (personal experiences)—which gives a more complete picture

What the Results Show

On average, each mother accessed the app 37 times over the six-month period. The most popular features were podcasts and push notifications (reminder messages), which 65% of mothers used. About half of the mothers used the exercise videos, and slightly fewer used the weight tracking feature.

When asked about their experience, 70% of mothers who answered the survey said they would recommend the app to other new mothers. About half of the users reported that using the app had a positive effect on their health. Mothers who used the app gained an average of 0.6 pounds over six months, while mothers who didn’t use the app gained 0.9 pounds. While this difference is small, it suggests the app may have helped slightly with weight management.

Interestingly, mothers who used the app tended to be those who were already more physically active and ate healthier foods before they got pregnant. This suggests the app may work best for mothers who already have some interest in health and fitness. About one-third of mothers experienced technical problems while using the app, such as glitches or features not working properly.

Mothers had mixed feelings about certain features. Push notifications (reminder messages) motivated some mothers to stay on track, but actually discouraged others from using the app. This shows that what works for one person may not work for another. Mothers generally preferred receiving information through podcasts rather than reading text or watching videos. When researchers introduced new content gradually over time rather than all at once, mothers found it easier to understand and use the information. The average age of mothers who used the app was 29.8 years, while non-users averaged 32 years old, suggesting younger mothers may be more likely to use health apps

Previous research has shown that many new mothers struggle to maintain healthy habits after giving birth due to lack of time, energy, and support. This study adds to that research by showing that a smartphone app could be one way to provide that support. Other studies have found that apps with features like tracking, reminders, and educational content can help people make healthy changes, and this study suggests the same may be true for new mothers. However, most previous research on health apps has focused on general populations, not specifically on postpartum mothers, so this study fills an important gap

This study has several important limitations. First, it’s very small with only 34 mothers, so the results may not apply to all new mothers. Second, not all mothers completed the study or answered follow-up questions—only 28 answered the survey and 18 did interviews. Third, there was no comparison group of mothers receiving different types of support, so we can’t be sure the app itself caused the health improvements. Fourth, the mothers who used the app were already healthier and more active before pregnancy, which means the results might not apply to mothers with different health backgrounds. Finally, about one-third of mothers experienced technical problems, which suggests the app needs improvement before wider use

The Bottom Line

If you’re a new mother interested in staying healthy after birth, this app may be worth trying, especially if you enjoy podcasts and are already interested in fitness and health. However, understand that this is early research and the app is still being developed. Talk to your doctor or midwife before starting any new exercise or weight management program after pregnancy. The app should be used as a tool to support healthy habits, not as a replacement for professional medical advice. Moderate confidence: The study shows promise but is too small to make strong recommendations

This app may be most helpful for new mothers who are comfortable using smartphones, enjoy learning through podcasts, and are already interested in staying active and healthy. It may be less helpful for mothers who prefer face-to-face support, have limited smartphone access, or experienced technical problems. Mothers with postpartum depression or other mental health concerns should talk to their healthcare provider before relying on an app and should seek professional support. Mothers with medical complications after birth should follow their doctor’s specific recommendations rather than using a general app

Based on this study, mothers who used the app regularly (about 37 times over six months) saw small benefits in weight management within the six-month postpartum period. However, most mothers reported feeling motivated and positive about their health within the first few months of using the app. Don’t expect dramatic changes—the goal is gradual, sustainable healthy habits. If you try the app, give yourself at least 2-3 months of regular use to see if it’s helpful for you

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly app usage frequency and which features you use most (podcasts, weight tracking, exercise videos). Also track your mood and energy levels when using the app to see if it correlates with motivation. Set a goal to access the app at least 2-3 times per week and note which times of day work best for you
  • Start by listening to one podcast per week about postpartum health and fitness. Once that feels comfortable, add one exercise video session per week. After a few weeks, consider adding weekly weight tracking if that feels helpful (but skip this if it feels discouraging). The key is to introduce changes gradually rather than trying to do everything at once
  • Use the app’s built-in tracking features to monitor your progress over time. Set weekly reminders to check in with yourself about how you’re feeling physically and emotionally. Every month, review which app features you’ve used most and whether they’re helping you feel healthier. If certain features aren’t working for you (like weight tracking reminders), it’s okay to skip them and focus on what does help

This research is a small pilot study and should not be considered definitive medical advice. Always consult with your obstetrician, midwife, or primary care doctor before starting any new exercise program, weight management plan, or health intervention after pregnancy. This is especially important if you have any complications from childbirth, are breastfeeding, or have other health conditions. If you experience postpartum depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns, please seek professional help from a mental health provider. This app is intended to support healthy habits, not to replace professional medical care or treatment