MOMent: Helping Mothers Feel Seen Through Design Research
SKILL:
UX/UI Research & Design
Qualitative Research & Analysis
Sentiment & Emotional Insight
User-Centered Design Thinking
Figma
Prototyping
Emotional Design & Reflection UX
Usability Testing & Synthesis
Empathy-Driven Communication
Role: UX Researcher/ Designer
Duration: 8 Months
How might we help first-time mothers navigate social media in a healthy way?
Project Overview
This project explores how social media impacts the emotional well-being of first-time mothers, particularly Millennials in the U.S. The research examines how their social media use evolves after childbirth and how it contributes to feelings of anxiety, comparison, and "mom guilt."
Research Goals
Understand emotional and behavioral shifts in social media use post-motherhood.
Identify how digital comparison affects maternal confidence.
Explore reflection-based tools that foster emotional clarity and self-awareness.
Research Methods
Qualitative Interviews
5 first-time Millennial mothers were interviewed to understand how their relationships with social media changed after childbirth. Participants shared reflections on Instagram usage, emotional highs and lows, and how content influenced their self-perceptions.
Love & Breakup Letters
10 Participants were invited to write a love letter and a breakup letter to Instagram. This method provided emotionally rich insights into their dual relationship with the platform—valuing connection, yet overwhelmed by comparison and distraction.
Mood Meter Adaptation
To help mothers identify their emotional states, the Yale Mood Meter was adapted into three user-friendly formats. 4 mothers used these tools in conjunction with their letters, visually mapping their emotional reactions before and after reflection.
Key Findings
Social Media is Both Supportive and Harmful: Mothers appreciated access to parenting advice and validation but were negatively affected by idealized portrayals and content overload.
Unarticulated Emotional Needs: Fun, community, and low-effort experiences emerged as unmet needs.
Mothers Want to Reflect, But Need Support: Reflection helped reduce stress and clarify emotions, yet mothers struggled to prioritize it amid daily caregiving.
Design Opportunity
Design a digital tool that encourages short, creative reflections to help first-time mothers process emotions without judgment or pressure to perform.
Solution: MOMent Prototype
MOMent is a digital prototype that transforms design research methods into emotional reflection tools tailored for mothers. It encourages intentional pauses using simple, low-stakes exercises.
Core Features
20 adapted research methods from Universal Methods of Design, grouped into seven categories (e.g., empathy, brainstorming, self-awareness).
Clickable “post-it” notes reveal short, guided prompts.
Designed for use in under 10 minutes per session.
Prototype Testing
Five first-time mothers participated in a week-long trial. Each mother used one method daily and shared feedback through a group text and post-interviews.
Key Insights from Testing
Self-reflection is powerful: All participants felt emotionally lighter after using the tool.
Evening use was common: Most preferred using the app after bedtime routines.
Consistency varied: Usage depended on daily energy levels and caregiving demands.
Personalization matters: Mothers reused methods that resonated most with their emotional state.
Design Principles
Keep Reflection Simple: Use low-effort tools like mood prompts or 1-minute check-ins.
Emotion Doesn’t Need a Solution: Design to validate feelings, not solve them.
Balance Connection and Comparison: Acknowledge both inspiration and insecurity.
Design for Reuse: Let users return to preferred methods.
Start with Empathy: Prioritize emotional presence over productivity.
Make it Feel Personal: Build emotional resonance through tone and relevance.
Future Opportunities
Where MOMent Could Live:
Pediatric clinics and OB/GYN checkups
Maternal wellness nonprofits
Mindfulness apps like Calm or Headspace
Social media platform design strategy
STEEP Factors Supporting Scalability:
Social: Growing focus on maternal mental health
Technological: Mobile app infrastructure for scalable delivery
Environmental: Post-pandemic demand for intentional screen use
Economic: Cost-effective mental wellness support
Political: Policy momentum around postpartum care
Conclusion
MOMent responds to a critical emotional need: giving mothers space to feel, reflect, and reconnect with themselves. While small and low-effort, the tool offers profound emotional impact, supporting confidence and resilience during one of life’s most transformative transitions.
