According to Gram Research analysis, a new smartphone app called Pehli Ghiza is being tested in Pakistan to help mothers breastfeed exclusively and introduce healthy solid foods at the right time. The randomized controlled trial enrolls 300 pregnant women who receive either the app plus regular doctor visits or regular doctor visits alone, with results expected by June 2027. If successful, the app could improve breastfeeding rates by at least 20% compared to standard care, offering a low-cost digital tool for millions of mothers in Pakistan and similar countries with limited healthcare access.
Researchers in Pakistan are testing whether a smartphone app can help new mothers breastfeed longer and feed their babies better foods. The study involves 300 pregnant women who will either use a special app called Pehli Ghiza alongside regular doctor visits, or just get regular doctor visits. The app sends videos and tips three times a week about breastfeeding and healthy baby foods. This matters because many Pakistani children don’t get enough nutrition, leading to serious health problems. If the app works, it could help millions of families in Pakistan and other countries with limited healthcare resources.
Key Statistics
A randomized controlled trial of 241 Pakistani women (as of May 2026) is testing whether the Pehli Ghiza mobile app can improve exclusive breastfeeding rates by at least 20% compared to standard doctor counseling alone, with results expected by June 2027.
In Pakistan, one-third of under-5 deaths are attributable to poor nutrition, with 40% of children stunted, 23% underweight, and only 48% of babies receiving exclusive breastfeeding, according to the study protocol published in JMIR Research Protocols in 2026.
The Pehli Ghiza app delivers context-specific educational content through short videos and messages sent three times per week, tailored to pregnancy stage and infant age, to 300 pregnant women in Karachi, Pakistan in a 2026 randomized controlled trial.
Only 3.6% of Pakistani children receive a minimum acceptable diet combining adequate food diversity and meal frequency, prompting researchers to test whether a mobile health app can improve infant and young child feeding practices in a 2026 study.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether a mobile phone app can help mothers in Pakistan breastfeed exclusively (only breast milk, no formula) and introduce healthy solid foods at the right time, compared to regular doctor counseling alone.
- Who participated: 300 pregnant women in their third trimester in Karachi, Pakistan who own smartphones, can read Urdu, and plan to stay in their area for at least one year after birth. As of May 2026, 241 women had enrolled.
- Key finding: This is a study protocol describing a trial in progress—results aren’t available yet. The researchers are testing whether adding an app to standard care improves breastfeeding rates by at least 20% compared to standard care alone.
- What it means for you: If successful, this app could become a free or low-cost tool to help mothers everywhere breastfeed longer and feed babies nutritious foods at the right ages. However, results won’t be known until mid-2027. This approach could especially help families without easy access to doctors.
The Research Details
This is a randomized controlled trial, which is the gold standard for testing whether something actually works. Researchers are enrolling 300 pregnant women in Karachi, Pakistan and randomly assigning them to two groups. One group receives the Pehli Ghiza app plus regular doctor visits. The other group gets only regular doctor visits. Both groups receive the same standard medical care at scheduled visits when the baby is born, at 6, 10, and 14 weeks old, and at 6, 9, and 12 months old.
The app sends three messages per week with videos and tips about breastfeeding and introducing solid foods. The messages are customized based on how far along the mother is in pregnancy and how old her baby is. Researchers collect information from mothers at enrollment and at each follow-up visit using structured questionnaires to track feeding practices and baby health.
This design is important because it helps prove whether the app itself—not just regular doctor care—makes the difference. By randomly assigning women to groups, researchers reduce bias and can fairly compare results between the app group and the regular-care-only group.
Pakistan faces a serious child nutrition crisis: one-third of deaths in children under 5 are linked to poor nutrition, with 40% of children stunted (too short for their age), 23% underweight, and 17.7% wasting (too thin). Only 48% of babies get exclusive breastfeeding, and just 3.6% receive a minimum acceptable diet. A randomized controlled trial is the best way to prove whether an app can fix these problems because it eliminates guesswork. If successful, this low-cost digital tool could reach millions of mothers who don’t have access to frequent doctor visits.
This study has strong design elements: it’s a randomized controlled trial (the highest quality study type), uses structured data collection, follows international research ethics standards (approved by Aga Khan University and Pakistan’s National Ethics Committee), and measures both primary outcomes (breastfeeding and complementary feeding) and secondary outcomes (baby health, diet quality). The study is actively recruiting (241 of 300 participants enrolled as of May 2026) and follows the intention-to-treat principle, meaning all enrolled participants are analyzed in their original groups regardless of whether they complete the program. However, results are not yet available—follow-ups continue through June 2027.
What the Results Show
This is a protocol paper describing a study in progress, so final results are not yet available. The study is designed to detect a 20% absolute improvement in exclusive breastfeeding rates and age-appropriate complementary feeding introduction between the app group and standard-care-only group. Researchers will measure these outcomes at birth, 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months after delivery.
The study will also track compliance (how many mothers use the app for the full 6-month coaching period) and usability (whether mothers find the app easy to use, helpful, and well-designed). Researchers will assess the app’s design, interface, content quality, coaching effectiveness, user perception, and personal benefit to mothers.
Follow-up data collection is expected to be completed by June 2027, at which point researchers will analyze whether the app group shows significantly better breastfeeding and feeding practices compared to the control group. The analysis will use intention-to-treat principles, meaning all 300 enrolled women will be included in results even if some don’t complete the full program.
Beyond exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding introduction, the study measures several other important outcomes: early initiation of breastfeeding (starting within 1 hour of birth), continued breastfeeding at 12 months, minimum dietary diversity (babies eating foods from different food groups), meal frequency (how many times per day babies eat), minimum acceptable diet (meeting both diversity and frequency standards), and overall child health outcomes. These secondary measures help paint a complete picture of whether the app improves overall infant nutrition and development.
This study builds on growing evidence that mobile health apps can improve health behaviors in low- and middle-income countries. Previous research suggests mHealth interventions can increase breastfeeding rates and improve child feeding practices, but most studies compare apps to no intervention at all. This trial is unique because it compares an app plus standard care to standard care alone, which is more realistic for real-world implementation. The context-specific design (tailored to Pakistani culture and language) addresses a gap in research, as most mHealth studies are conducted in high-income countries.
This is a protocol paper, so the study hasn’t been completed yet. Important limitations to consider: the study only includes women who own smartphones with internet access and can read Urdu, which may exclude poorer or less-educated mothers who could benefit most. The study is conducted at a single hospital in Karachi, so results may not apply to rural areas or other regions of Pakistan. Women must plan to stay in their area for one year, which excludes mobile populations. Results won’t be available until mid-2027, so we don’t yet know if the app actually works or how well mothers use it.
The Bottom Line
This study is still in progress, so no final recommendations can be made yet. However, if results show the app improves breastfeeding and feeding practices by 20% or more, health officials in Pakistan and similar countries should consider integrating the Pehli Ghiza app into standard prenatal and postnatal care. The app appears promising as a low-cost supplement to doctor visits, especially for mothers with smartphone access. Confidence in recommendations will depend on final results expected in mid-2027.
Pregnant women and new mothers in Pakistan and similar countries should care about this research, especially those with smartphone access. Healthcare providers, public health officials, and policymakers in low- and middle-income countries should follow these results to determine whether mobile apps can improve child nutrition at scale. Parents concerned about breastfeeding success and infant nutrition should watch for the final results. However, women without smartphone access or internet connectivity should not expect this app to be available to them immediately.
The study is recruiting participants through mid-2026 and will follow mothers and babies through 12 months postpartum. Final results are expected by June 2027. If the app proves effective, implementation in healthcare systems could begin in 2027-2028, though scaling to reach all mothers would take several years. Mothers using the app would receive coaching for 6 months (pregnancy through 6 months postpartum), with benefits potentially lasting longer if improved feeding habits continue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a phone app really help mothers breastfeed longer?
Research shows mobile health apps can improve breastfeeding practices, but this specific study is still testing whether the Pehli Ghiza app increases exclusive breastfeeding by 20% in Pakistan. Results will be available by June 2027. The app sends three weekly videos and tips tailored to each mother’s stage.
What is exclusive breastfeeding and why does it matter?
Exclusive breastfeeding means feeding a baby only breast milk—no formula, water, or other foods—for the first 6 months. It’s critical because breast milk provides all nutrients babies need and protects against infections. In Pakistan, only 48% of babies receive exclusive breastfeeding, contributing to malnutrition and childhood deaths.
How does the Pehli Ghiza app work for new mothers?
The app sends three messages per week with videos and tips about breastfeeding techniques and introducing solid foods at the right age. Messages are customized based on how far along the mother is in pregnancy and how old her baby is. Mothers receive coaching for 6 months alongside regular doctor visits.
Will this app be available to all mothers in Pakistan?
Not immediately. The study is testing whether the app works first. However, if results are positive by June 2027, health officials could integrate it into standard care. Currently, the app requires a smartphone with internet access and the ability to read Urdu, which may limit access for some mothers.
What child health problems does poor infant nutrition cause in Pakistan?
Poor infant nutrition causes stunting (40% of children), underweight (23%), and wasting (17.7%) in Pakistan. One-third of under-5 deaths are linked to malnutrition. Only 3.6% of children receive adequate diet diversity and meal frequency, leading to developmental delays and increased infection risk.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track exclusive breastfeeding duration (weeks or months of only breast milk, no formula or water), introduction of first solid foods (age in weeks when started), and dietary diversity score (number of different food groups baby eats per week). Log these weekly to see progress over the first year.
- Set phone reminders to watch the app’s weekly videos about breastfeeding techniques and age-appropriate foods. After each video, mothers could log one specific action they’ll try that week—like a new breastfeeding position or introducing a new vegetable—and report back on success.
- Create a simple dashboard showing breastfeeding duration, complementary feeding timeline, and baby growth metrics (weight, length) at each clinic visit. Compare these to recommended targets for each age. Share progress with healthcare providers at scheduled visits to get personalized feedback and adjust feeding plans as needed.
This article describes a research study protocol currently in progress; final results are not yet available. The Pehli Ghiza app is being tested in a clinical trial and is not yet approved for general use. Pregnant women and new mothers should consult with their healthcare provider before making any changes to breastfeeding or infant feeding practices. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Results from this study may not apply to all populations or settings outside of Karachi, Pakistan. Women should continue receiving standard prenatal and postnatal care from qualified healthcare providers regardless of app use.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.