The Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) Glasgow Neonatal Unit is the first in Scotland to launch a new digital support system to help mums who are expressing breastmilk for their babies.
Using the multi-language vCreate app, mums now have access to a milk tracker function to record how often they express, the volume of milk produced, and any challenges they experience. They can also rate each expressing session.
If a mum reports difficulty, an alert is automatically sent to a member of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Infant Feeding Team, who can then contact her directly, either by phone or in person, to provide support, advice, and reassurance.
Mums can also message the team through the app whenever they need help or have questions. Since the system went live in December 2025, the Infant Feeding Team at the RHC has recorded an average of 200 interactions per month with mums of babies in neonatal care.
The RHC neonatal unit team is the first in Scotland to use vCreate in this way. They approached the company with the concept for a digital tool that could streamline communication and better support parents. Following the successful launch in Glasgow, vCreate will offer the feature to other Health Boards from March 2026.
Sinead Young, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Neonatal Infant Feeding Advisor, said: “We’re always looking for new and meaningful ways to engage parents and support them throughout their feeding journey.
“We wanted an easy‑to‑access tool that gives mums clear information about expressing while also creating a direct link to our Infant Feeding Team so we can review progress and offer timely support.
“Overall, our aim was to provide a resource that builds confidence and encourages mums to keep going. vCreate does exactly that. Its simplicity and accessibility have made it a hugely popular way for mums in our neonatal unit to stay connected with us.”
The Neonatal Unit care for some of the smallest and most vulnerable babies, many of whom are born prematurely. For these infants, breastmilk is vital. It provides essential nutrients and plays a key role in supporting their developing immune systems.
Often described as a “special medicine” for sick and preterm babies, breastmilk helps protect them against infection, is gentle on their delicate digestive systems, and offers comfort and pain relief during their time in NICU.
Many mums choose to express because of these benefits, and the Infant Feeding Team is committed to supporting them every step of the way.
vCreate is a tool that NICU staff are already familiar with. Prior to adding the milk tracker, nurses used the web-based app technology to send parents reassuring videos and pictures of the babies to families, especially overnight when parents and babies are often separated.
One of the first to benefit from the addition of the milk tracker on Vcreate was Fiona McMinn (38) from Dumfries and Galloway, whose baby Douglas was born on 17 November 2025, weighing just 3lb 10oz. Before birth, doctors identified challenged with his heart, and after delivery Douglas was diagnosed with congenital heart block, holes in his heart, and Down’s Syndrome.
Fiona said: “Douglas arrived at 33 weeks. I have a five‑year‑old son, Wallace, and I couldn’t breastfeed him, so I hadn’t planned to breastfeed Douglas either. But given his condition, I was told how valuable my milk could be, so I decided to try.
“It hasn’t been easy. My supply would be strong and then drop suddenly. Each time, I logged it on the app and someone from the Infant Feeding Team came to support me. It gave me the confidence to keep going. I also had mastitis twice, which was painful, but again I logged it and the team helped me with techniques to continue. I’m so grateful for their support.
“They also provided the expressing equipment I needed, and I’ve now bought my own portable pump because I feel confident. I also want to thank Crossbasket House too. Being from Dumfries and Galloway, having somewhere to stay nearby the hospital means we can be together as a family while staying close to Douglas. We’ve been really well supported.”
Crossbasket House is part of the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity Group. The Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity also supports the Infant Feeding Team by supplying expressing equipment, support packs for mums, and volunteers who help transport breastmilk from homes to the hospital.
Kate Brown, vCreate Operations Director said: “It’s fantastic to hear how this technology is already making a meaningful difference for Fiona and other families. We’ve partnered with the Royal Hospital for Children on several digital initiatives designed to enhance patient and family experience. The clinical teams are innovative and forward-thinking, and it’s a privilege to collaborate with them to help shape the future of children’s care both nationally and across the UK.”
