Everyone can agree that the first year of parenting is tough. Let technology lend a helping hand by downloading one of these apps:
BabySparks
Platforms: iOS and Android
Cost: free, paid subscription and lifetime access versions available
BabySparks is a collection of developmental activities for babies age 0-2. Every day, parents can access around a dozen age-specific activities, each complete with a demonstration video and a text explanation. As your baby grows and masters activities, the content changes. Parents can also search for content to meet their individual needs (i.e. rolling over or baby sign language).
Northern Virginia mom Yolaynne Thukal uses the paid version of BabySparks and loves it. “At first I was worried that it wasn’t going to be worth it, but the activities are varied, interesting and change automatically with age,” she says. “It’s helped me a lot when I just don’t know what else to do with my high-energy baby and find that the developmental activities are well-rounded.”
Baby Tracker
Platforms: iOS and Android
Cost: limited, free or full version, $4.99
Keep up with feeding sessions and chart diaper changes and sleep with the popular Baby Tracker app. The app has a clean look, is very user-friendly and even features an alarm function that synchronizes with the phone’s calendar. Parents can also use Baby Tracker to record and measure their baby’s growth, milestones, vaccinations and important health data. It’s a great app to share data with caregivers or medical professionals.
What to Expect
Platforms: iOS and Android
Cost: Free
The trusted and popular name in pregnancy and baby development now has an app. Much lighter to carry than the massive book, the What to Expect app includes answers to hundreds of pregnancy and baby-related questions, week-by-week information about development, health tips and videos. Users can personalize the app by entering in their own pregnancy data. The app also allows users to connect in real time with other new and expecting mothers through community groups and forums based on their baby’s age, location, interests, medical conditions and more.
White Noise Baby
Platforms: iOS and Android
Cost: $1.39
Better than a traditional sound machine, White Noise Baby contains over 20 high ambient sounds to soothe little ones. Noises include air conditioner, vacuum cleaner, conch shell and more. The frequency of sounds not only helps babies fall asleep but stay asleep. There’s a timer for app turn-off, so parents can stay asleep, too. If the monitor on the app detects any crying, the white noise will reactivate and start the sound again. Besides white noise, the app also features several relaxing classical tracks and a high-contrast rattle to calm a fussy baby.
The Wonder Weeks
Platforms: iOS and Android
Cost: $1.99 (plus optional in app purchases)
The awarding-winning Wonder Weeks app is based on the international best-selling book of the same name and is backed by decades of scientific research. Find out why your baby is fussy, eating less or more or exhibiting different sleep patterns during certain weeks. Learn about your baby’s mental leaps during these phases and how to best physically and emotionally respond to needs. Parents report the app has been very accurate in showing development and reminds them that although a certain phase or behavior might seem difficult, it won’t last forever.
