With so many moms keeping their mobile phones within reach at all times, Johnson & Johnson is taking advantage and developed a free app to help new and expecting mothers.

Text4Baby sends moms updates, alerts, and health information. Lasting until your baby is one year old, the app also gives counsel on prenatal concerns, labor, and breastfeeding in one to three texts throughout the week. The app will also help mothers remember to take their vitamins and when they have doctor’s appointments scheduled. The app’s mission is to support both the health and happiness of mom and baby.

If you’re interested in this service as a new or expectant mom, you either sign up on their website or text the word “baby” (for Spanish speakers, “bebe”) to the number 511411. Then you’ll enter your postal code and either your baby’s birthday or your expected due date. The service will customize according to your profile so whether your baby is born or still cooking, you’ll receive updates, alerts, and news pertinent to your situation. If anything changes, such as your baby’s due date, you simply have to text the word “update” to the same number to change your profile information.

The San Diego School of Medicine conducted research in late 2011 that proved the usefulness of the app and program. According to their findings, over 60% of users reported remembering an immunization or appointment for either themselves or their baby because of the app. Three-quarters of responders discovered health information or medical advisements that they hadn’t known before. And, just over 70% of study participants talked to their doctor about information they discovered through the app.

Started in 2010, there are already well over 320,000 users signed up. The app was developed by Wireless Foundation CTIA and partners Johnson & Johnson. For mothers who don’t have unlimited text messaging as a part of their cell phone plan, CTIA and most major mobile carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and Virgin among others, are working to keep the messages from Text4Baby free of charge.

Advancements in technology are making it easier and easier to ensure your baby is healthy and happy. Despite that, hundreds of thousands of babies are born prematurely and nearly 30,000 children pass away before they turn age one every year. Health professionals must now be able to keep up with the ever-changing technological world to further support their patients and clients. With unlimited resources now available online and through mobile devices, Johnson & Johnson made it easier to support moms with this important information, the news alerts, and the health warnings.

As so many aspects of our society turn to the Internet to stay viable in today’s market, even something as simple as earning a  health administration online degree changes the way the future of heath care will work. It only makes sense to tap this resource to help moms from ever having to worry about their baby’s health.