Overview
A mobile app prototype to help parents find available supplies and discounts for baby items. This app was created to solve the formula shortage issue in 2022. This is an ongoing project I am refining with more research.
"In fall 2022, (September 14- October 17), parents in just over 1 in 3 U.S. households (34.7%) reported difficulty obtaining infant formula in the last seven days."
https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2024/04/infant-formula-shortage.html
Problem: There was a formula shortage across the U.S. At the time I had a son less than a year old. I breastfed my son so I didn't have a need for formula, but I saw friends struggle with the shortage.
Goals: Help parents find the formula they are looking for. Different stores have different formulas in stock and some people require a specialized formula. Help families find discounts and assist with shopping. Help families find any resources they may need.
Issues during the process: I found myself forgetting about men. As a woman, I had an unconscious bias and kept forgetting that there could be single fathers or or any other type of family structure that might not be what I experience.
With the help of my personal GPT assistant, I created a questionnaire to conduct market research to understand what features parents would find most useful and meaningful.
This is an ongoing project that I decided to conduct more research on.
You may have heard that breastfeeding is good, but have you ever heard why?
"Breastfeeding helps protects babies from many serious health problems. And it keeps on offering protection as they get older. Breastfed babies have:
- A lower risk for SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) than babies who are not breastfed.
- A lower risk of getting asthma and skin problems related to allergies. Formula-fed babies are more likely to have milk allergies.
- Less diarrhea and a lowered chance of getting some digestive conditions. Formula can actually change healthy bacteria in a baby's intestines. The bacteria help with digestion and fighting disease.
- A lower risk of developing leukemia.
- Fewers long-term health problems as they grow up. These include diabetes and obesity."
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/breastfeeding-your-baby/breast-milk-is-the-best-milk
"Benefits for breastfeeding moms
Breastfeeding offers several benefits for you, too. In the months after delivery, breastfeeding lowers your risk for postpartum depression if breastfeeding is going well and you feel well-supported. It also benefits you much farther down the road, lowering your risk of developing:
Endometrial cancer.
Type 2 diabetes.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15274-benefits-of-breastfeedingn
All prior research and work below.
