By Derek Goodman
As you prepare for life as a new parent, it can be a great help to have a fully capable smartphone to support you through this transition and to help you take advantage of stress- reducing parenting and health apps. With the right wireless plan, your smartphone will quickly become a baby-tracking tool, portable entertainment system, and powerful camera for documenting all of those precious moments along the way (just be sure to protect all that power with the perfect case!) Once you have your phone and plan lined up, you can use it to download the following useful apps:
Glow Baby
Using an app like Glow Baby to track milestones and development for your little one can help you stay in control of your child’s health and wellness. Plus, with Glow Baby downloaded and installed on your smartphone, you can get access to info and tips to keep your baby healthy.
The Wonder Weeks
Another useful app for tracking baby milestones is The Wonder Weeks app. This parenting app includes many of the same practical features as Glow Baby and other milestone trackers, but it also gives new parents access to other helpful tools, including white noise and special music that can soothe your little one, while also helping to support healthy development.
Sleep Baby Sleep
Speaking of sleep, setting a sleep schedule can be important for your little one’s development, and it can also help preserve your sanity. That’s why so many first-time and seasoned parents turn to apps like Sleep Baby Sleep. Available via iTunes, Google, and Amazon’s appstore, Sleep Baby Sleep also offers white noise that can soothe fussy babies and timers that can help busy new parents better manage their newborn’s sleep schedule.
Milk Maid
Breastfeeding can be stressful for new parents, and can even contribute to instances of postpartum depression. While there are many reasons why you may be stressed out over breastfeeding your baby, if you download Milk Maid, keeping track of your pumped milk supply doesn’t have to be one of them. Milk Maid lets you stay organized when it comes to your milk stores, and also provides useful tools for tracking volume, statistics, and feeding sessions.
Cozi Family Organizer
Any app that will save you time and stress as a new parent is worth its weight in gold. One such app that can keep your new schedule organized is Cozi Family Organizer. So much more than just a calendar, this app is like a virtual command center for your growing family, with tools for managing your schedule, planning out meals, and keeping you and your partner on track throughout the week.
Sleep Cycle
As much as your baby needs sleep, you need to get quality rest as well. While some folks will tell you to sleep when your baby sleeps, putting this into practice can be so much harder than it sounds. So instead of focusing on the timing of your sleep, try to focus on the quality. For example, using an app like Sleep Cycle will help you monitor your sleep quality and will also help you wake up at a point in your sleep that will help you feel less drowsy and stressed.
7-Minute Workout Apps
Getting exercise is also important for staying sharp and reducing stress when you are adjusting to life as a new parent. Fitting longer workouts into an already maxed out schedule can be impossible when you are also caring for your first child. Which is why instead of stressing over the duration of your exercise routine, you should find ways to streamline it. There are several 7-minute workout apps available to help you burn calories and burn away stress with minimal time commitment. So try a few out and find one that works best for your fitness needs.
Being prepared for your new baby means fully preparing your home and your routine for all of the added stress and responsibility. So start by upgrading your smartphone, and then use it to download apps that will help you juggle your new roles and keep your new family healthy. The International Nanny Association, the umbrella association for the at-home child care industry, provides a wealth of information for nannies, families and educators. Check out our website to find out more.
Derek Goodman is an entrepreneur. He’d always wanted to make his own future, and he knew growing his own business was the only way to do that. He created his site Inbizability, to offer you tips, tricks, and resources so that you realize your business ability and potential now, not later.