INFANT

About INFANT

Developed in collaboration with health professionals for more than 15 years, INFANT helps new families establish healthy routines in feeding, active play and screen time. The program is delivered through local services to ensure support is close to home. The free app provides continuous support and practical tips between sessions.

Why families and services choose INFANT

INFANT is widely endorsed and globally recognised for its impact, which is demonstrated across local, national and international settings:

Local

• Adopted across the majority of Victorian local government areas, with pilots underway in other jurisdictions.
• Prioritised by the Victorian Government Healthy Kids Healthy Futures initiative.

National endorsement

• The Australian Government’s Commonwealth Community for Children’s funding for disadvantaged communities has recommended INFANT as an evidence-based program since 2020.

International recognition

• Recommended and rated highly by the US National Cancer Institute for research integrity in 2024. It is the only program in their 207-program database that starts from birth.
• Identified by the US Centers for Disease Control in 2023 as the strongest model for translating a randomised controlled trial into community-wide implementation.

How INFANT works

INFANT is delivered free to mums, dads and carers through local early years services. The program consists of two components:

• Four group sessions led by a trained early years professional
• Access to a free app, which reinforces key content and provides practical tips between sessions.

The impact of the program

INFANT has trained hundreds of early year professionals and continues to deliver sustained, measurable health benefits for children and families.

National scale and reach

• Over 17,000 parents and carers have participated across Australia.
• The program has been implemented by the majority of Victorian local governments.
• Hundreds of Maternal and Child Health Nurses and early years professionals have been trained to deliver INFANT and embed its messages into everyday consultations.

Proven health outcomes

• Independent evaluations show sustained, positive health outcomes by age five, including:
• Increased intake of fruit, vegetable and water
• reduced screen time
• a reduction of 1.7 serves of discretionary foods per week

Practitioner support

• Trained practitioners report improved consultations, with nurses more frequently discussing active play, screen time and shared meals with families following training.
• A study led by researchers from Deakin’s Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition found that parents and carers using the app were less likely to visit a GP or paediatrician for concerns about feeding or growth, compared to families receiving usual care.

Feedback from the field

Health professionals and service partners share how the INFANT program supports families and strengthens community connections.

INFANT helps families make healthier choices, supports children’s well-being, and strengthens community connections. It has been effective in creating positive change.

Parents often share that INFANT boosts their confidence in feeding and play, helps them connect with other parents, and guides them to useful services. One family, for example, said they now enjoy regular active play and meal planning together, making life healthier and less stressful.

Carmel Pritchard
Team Leader, Enhanced Maternal and Child Health, Brimbank City Council

There has been strong positive feedback by Maternal and Child Health Nurses about the INFANT program as an additional option of support they can offer families… It has enabled more opportunities for social connection among parents and with Maternal and Child Health Nurses.

Ju-Lin Lee
Paediatric Dietitian and Coordinator – Dietetics, Diabetes Education and Community Nursing, Your Community Health, Preston, Victoria