TY  - JOUR
AU  - Schwab, Isabella
AU  - Ohnhaeuser, Tim
AU  - Rothe, Roxane Lee
AU  - Dresbach, Till
AU  - Schmitz, Katharina
AU  - Tutzer, Natalie
AU  - Dymek, Nicola Gabriela
AU  - Köberlein-Neu, Juliane
AU  - Scholten, Nadine
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/7/9
TI  - The Neo-MILK Web App as a Health Technology to Support Mothers of Preterm and Sick Neonates During Lactation: Usability Study
JO  - JMIR Pediatr Parent
SP  - e69079
VL  - 8
KW  - mHealth
KW  - lactation
KW  - usability
KW  - perceived usefulness
KW  - lactation web app
KW  - preterm and sick infants
KW  - pumping
KW  - mother’s own milk
KW  - mobile health
AB  - Background: Mothers of sick and preterm infants need support to establish and maintain lactation. Although many health technologies on breastfeeding are available, most lack in evidence-based information and are therefore not appropriate for educating mothers. Furthermore, they do not focus on the special challenges of mother-infant separation during lactation in mothers of sick or preterm infants. Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the usability and perceived usefulness of the evidence-based information about lactation and documentation tools contained in the Neo-MILK web app. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among mothers of sick and preterm infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit in Germany. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the System Usability Scale (SUS) and for self-developed items pertaining to overall satisfaction and perceived usefulness of the app. These included items on evidence-based information and the usability of tracking functions. Results: Of 341 mothers who were contacted, 80 responded (response rate, 23.4%), and data from 63 mothers were analyzed. The mean SUS score was 76.4. The overall satisfaction rate was high, with 84% (n=53) of respondents indicating that they were either satisfied or very satisfied. Further, 82% (n=52) were inclined to recommend the web app to other parents. On average, the evidence-based information was perceived as helpful, more detailed, and not contradictory compared to information provided at the hospital. At the same time, most of the users reported that the Neo-MILK web app did not exert pressure to provide breast milk to their infants. Approximately 71% (n=45) of the mothers used the documentation tool in the web app several times per week to track their milk volumes. Conclusions: By combining evidence-based information and useful tools to document milk volume, the Neo-MILK web app was high rated in usability and perceived usefulness. Considering the limitations of the study, this web app appears to be a valuable tool for educating and supporting pump-dependent mothers of sick and preterm infants during lactation. 
SN  - 2561-6722
UR  - https://pediatrics.jmir.org/2025/1/e69079
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/69079
DO  - 10.2196/69079
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/69079
ER  -