Table 1 Antenatal and postnatal SMS text messages sent to fathers and mothers

Antenatal SMS messages

Have you talked to your wife about breastfeeding your baby?

It may take a day or two for your milk to come in don’t give anything else but colostrum

Breastmilk only will make your baby grow big, strong and smart

Always give your baby access to your breast so they can feed when they are hungry or thirsty

The first milk colostrum is good for baby it will help the baby fight infection

The first milk colostrum is good for baby it will help the baby fight infection

Ask the health workers to put your baby to your wife’s breast within an hour of giving birth

Let the baby suckle at your breast to increase milk supply

Month one

Breast milk has everything, and it is clean so that it helps brain development, to build the body, for health and its good for everything

When the baby has stomach pain bring the baby to the health facility, don’t give fenugreek

Encourage your wife to breastfeed whenever the baby is hungry

Breastmilk is clean and safe and has enough water

All your baby needs for the first six months is breastmilk, don’t give other food or liquid

Give your baby all of the breastmilk in one breast before starting on the other breast

Feeding only breastmilk is important for your baby to grow big and strong

Ask your partner to bring you food and provide support

Month two

No water just breastmilk – water may give your baby diseases

Breastmilk has everything, and it is clean so that it helps brain development, to build the body, for health and its good for everything

Help your wife, bring her a drink of water, soup or milk while she is breastfeeding

Breastmilk will protect your baby from diarrhoea

Exclusive breastfeeding can protect from breast and cervical cancer

Exclusive breastfeeding can protect from breast and cervical cancer

Tell the housemaid/grandmothers no water or food just breastmilk

All your baby needs for the first six months is breastmilk, don’t give other food or liquid

Month three

Help your wife express breastmilk into a cup if she is going out

Even if the baby is smelling don’t give food, wait until they are six months old

Help your wife to breastfeed by doing the shopping

Don’t stop breastfeeding, you can overcome all challenges

Encourage your wife to let the baby suckle at her breast to increase milk supply

Express breastmilk into a cup if you are going out

Make sure your wife eats enough food – serve your wife if she is breastfeeding

Providing water, foods and liquids other than breastmilk will expose the baby to disease