UNICEF, jointly with partners, launches Bebbo - the first parenting app in Moldova

15 May 2023, Chisinau - UNICEF, jointly with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Research and Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, is launching “Bebbo,” a free mobile parenting app, to support parents and caregivers of children of children aged 0 to 6 years old.

Bebbo was developed by UNICEF Europe and Central Asia to provide parents with experts’ advice on a wide range of child health and development issues, from nutrition and breastfeeding to early learning and the value of play, responsive parenting, protection, and safety. It also includes features allowing parents to record vaccinations, health check-ups, and other key development milestones.

The app will also support the Ukrainian refugee parents in Moldova, who can easily access advice on child stimulation, safety environment, and finally on how to ensure their own wellbeing.

Bebbo’s content can be personalized according to children’s age and can be used simultaneously by both parents for one or more children.

“The first years of life have a profound effect on children’s future – on their brain development, health, happiness, ability to learn in school, well-being and even the amount of money they can earn as adults. In this formative stage of life, a baby’s brain can form more than 1 million new brain connections every single second – a pace never repeated again in their lifetime”, says Maha Damaj, UNICEF representative to the Republic of Moldova. 

To launch and promote the new app, UNICEF Moldova has worked closely with national partners to bolster the capacities of parents and families with young children. 

“Thanks to Bebbo, I can check if my one year old daughter’s height and weight are in line with her age. I also learn about the most important development milestones and can easily spot if something is not right. Due to the vaccination schedule in the app, our family never misses a vaccine dose or a health check-up", says Doina Danielean, one of the parents who is using Bebbo. 

As of today, Bebbo is available in 14 countries in Europe and Central Asia, and over 500 thousands of parents are already using it. With the support of the LEGO Foundation, coordinated plans are in place to further promote and spotlight Bebbo to ensure that it reaches more parents/caregivers in Moldova.  

The app can be downloaded for free on the Google Play store or AppStore.