Connecting2u program expands to provide further support to QLD families 

Children’s Health Queensland’s free text messaging service Connecting2u has been expanded to help expectant parents navigate pregnancy, allowing them to sign up for free health and wellbeing advice and timely healthcare reminders during pregnancy.

Connecting2u is an opt-in text messaging service which previously offered parents and carers child development information, parenting tips, and health check reminders to help keep them safe, happy and healthy, with the aim of fostering healthy attachment and bonding between parents, carers, and infants, and strengthen connections to health, education and social services.

Having supported thousands of families across Queensland since it began in 2014, with more than 15,000 parents and carers currently registered with the program, the program expanded in 2024 to cover the first 2,000 days of a child’s life (0-5 years old), including messaging on self-care, bonding and attachment, brain development and immunisation reminders.

Localised messaging was also launched in three regional locations to families with services and supports in their home community. Tailored culturally appropriate messaging was also introduced for parents and carers who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

In March 2025 the program expanded again, opening up space so that expectant parents across Queensland could sign up to receive antenatal messaging designed to support their and their unborn child’s health and wellbeing during pregnancy. 

The new suite of messaging covers topics including nutrition, emotional and physical wellbeing, self-care, health checks, and scan reminders to offer support, tips, advice, and healthcare reminders during pregnancy.

Connecting2u Principal Program Officer, Alanna Philipson, said the new antenatal messaging would help expectant parents navigate the challenges and unknowns of pregnancy.

“Connecting2u offers clear, evidence-based, and reassuring messages designed to help reduce the overwhelm many expectant parents face during pregnancy,” Ms Philipson said.

“Feedback from families tells us there is a need for this kind of information and support, and we’re pleased to make it easily accessible to all Queensland families when and where they need it.”

For families who have already registered, the program is a valuable tool which they report leaves them feeling more confident in their parenting, and better equipped to make informed decisions about their child’s health.

The continued evolution of Connecting2u, Children’s Health Queensland Chief Executive Frank Tracey said, reflects Children’s Health Queensland’s ongoing commitment to giving all Queensland children and their families access to the best care, advice and support, no matter where they live.

“The first 2,000 days in a child’s life are critical for their physical, mental and social development,” he explained.

“We have a unique window of opportunity to help shape their experience during this time and have a positive impact on their long-term health trajectories. By providing new mums and dads with clear, consistent and strengths-based messages, Connecting2u is helping parents feel more confident, reassured and empowered and providing Queensland children the best possible start to life.”

The Connecting2u expansion has been funded through a four-year $4.1 million investment through the Queensland Government’s Putting Queensland Kids First plan.

For more information or to sign up to Connecting2u, visit childrens.health.qld.gov.au/c2u