UNICEF welcomes Parents' Day with a special event for the launch of the new parenting app Bebbo

ATHENS, 1 JUNE 2022 - On the occasion of World Parents' Day on June 1st, the UNICEF Greece Country Office presented the new global parenting app, Bebbo, in a special event at the Coco-Mat BC Hotel.

The event was well attended by representatives from the world of journalism, influencers, bloggers and celebrities - including Christina Kontova, Klelia and Annie Pantazi, Lydia Papaioannou and Panagiotis Hadjidakis - who had the opportunity to learn more about UNICEF's new digital tool that offers valuable support to every new parent and caregiver during the first years of their children's lives.

Bebbo is a free mobile app, already available in 13 countries and 20 languages, which provides expert advice and articles on a wide range of topics related to child health and development, nutrition and breastfeeding, early education, responsive parenting, child protection and safety as well as well-being.

The app includes easy-to-use features and tools that allow every parent to actively monitor and record their child’s development stages for each age period, their vaccinations and medical check-ups, receiving relevant alerts based on their age.

“Child protection and early child development is one of UNICEF's key priorities worldwide," said Mariella Michailidou, UNICEF Child Protection Specialist in UNICEF Greece. She also said: "Bebbo aims to become the key ally of parenting both in Greece and globally by providing reliable and accurate information so that parents and caregivers can directly and easily receive the support they need to raise a healthy and happy child."

The event entailed interventions by specialists such as Dr. Ioanna Antoniadou-Koumatou, Developmental Pediatrician MD, and former Director of the Department of Social and Developmental Pediatrics of the Institute of Child Health, representatives of the Breastfeeding Association of Greece - La Leche League Greece, as well as Dr. Liana Maili, Pediatrician with postgraduate training in Pediatric Tuberculology and former President of Doctors of the World in Greece (Medecins du Monde Grece).

All specialists developed topics which are also covered in depth within the app such as breastfeeding, early and child development, childhood vaccination and experiential play.

Specifically, representatives from La Leche League Greece, Mrs. Ourania Konstantatou and Mrs. Vasiliki Kalpogianni, spoke about the myths and truths about breastfeeding, emphasizing that the overall process of breastfeeding is a different experience for each mother.

Dr. Antoniadou-Koumatou stressed the crucial role that the family plays in the development of a child and the importance of a parent accepting the diversity of both him/her as a parent and that of their child. She also pointed out the great need for valid information and support for parents, stating that Bebbo can fill the gap that exists today and become a platform that every new parent can use in order to have reliable information and useful interactive tools that cover a wide range of topics related to child development.

Dr. Mailli discussed the topic of childhood vaccination, addressing key questions and concerns that a new parent has and emphasizing the crucial role of vaccines in the safety and protection of every child's health. 

The event concluded with a session dedicated to experiential play with a presentation by Ms.Katerina Basta, Psychotherapist, Parent Counsellor and Founder of 'Paixnidoswma', who led an interactive group activity highlighting how play can be utilized effectively as a tool for connecting a parent with their children.

This parenting app combined with UNICEF's call to journalists and influencers is part of the implementation of the Organization's 5-year National Programme for Greece, which unites governmental and independent agencies, the media, civil society, academia, individuals from the public sphere and each of us individually to prioritize the best interests of every child in our country. The venue that hosted the event as well as the catering was kindly sponsored by COCO MAT BC.

Learn more about Bebbo here and download the app for free both in Android and iOS .