As a new parent, it’s normal to feel disorganized, sleep-deprived, and completely overwhelmed. But, not to worry–there’s an app for that! Well, sort of. Whether you want to keep track of baby’s feeding and sleeping schedules, track baby’s development, or log activities and milestones, there’s all sorts of apps that can help. While there are literally hundreds out there, here are just a few I thought stood out.
Baby Tracker: Nursing. In the early weeks of breastfeeding, when you’re religiously keeping track of which side you’ve nursed on, for how long, and at what time…it’s easy to get overwhelmed. This iPhone app can help you stay organized. With just a few clicks each nursing session is recorded. It offers visual cues for alternate side nursing, a nursing history log grouped by day, a feature to record bottle feedings, and the ability to keep track of multiple babies for parents of twins (or more). It was featured in a segment on best baby gadgets on The Early Show. $4.99.
What To Expect’s Baby Tracker App. A companion to Heidi Murkoff’s bestselling book, “What To Expect The First Year,” this iPhone app helps you stay on top of your baby’s schedule and keep tabs on their her developmental milestones. You can track feeding and sleeping sessions, diaper changes, and vaccinations. Plus, you’ll get info on your baby’s physical and cognitive development on a month-by-month basis, as well as advice on baby care, doctor visits, and more.
Free.
Baby Care. This all-encompassing Android app helps you keep track of baby feeds, baby sleep, baby diaper changes, and baby growth.
You can record baby’s weight and height to view your baby’s percentile charts. Or keep a daily diary about baby and what they did that day. What’s great is that you can easily share all this info with baby’s other caregivers–or with friends–via Facebook, Twitter or email.
Baby Schedule And Sleep. This iPhone app was developed by Diana Gonzalez Blanco, founder of Smooth Parenting, a baby sleep and parent coaching service based in New York City. Input your baby or toddler’s age, desired wake-up time, and other essential details, and the app will generate a customized sleep plan for you. It features nap times and a feeding schedule and adjusts as your baby grows—so when it’s time for baby drop a nap, you’ll know. The schedule accommodates up to four children. $3.99.
Baby Michael. This iPhone app can be used by new or expecting parents. It tracks baby’s development as well as serves as a daily planner for mom and dad. Monitor feedings, diaper changes, bath, tummy time, and everything else you can think. Special features include voice recording so you can record your baby’s first “coos” and words. An “awake” alarm helps keep track of how long baby has been up. There is also a function that totals your baby’s sleep and feeding times for the day. Plus, daily activity reports can be viewed graphically to compare how your baby’s patterns change.
