7 nursing apps to help new parents take care of their baby
With a new baby in the family, feeding time is nearly any time of day, and new programs may help bring some support to sleep-deprived parents. After all, when it comes to a young, nursing infant, keeping tabs on a child's feeding schedule is key. Certainly millions of parents have made do without the use of technology, but many of today's available apps can use turn smartphones into souped-up baby must-haves including these seven that can make nursing and feeding time both easier — and educational.
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LactMed
The National Library of Medicine has a free app that should be on every nursing mom's smartphone. LactMed is an informative database of drugs and supplements that moms should avoid — or certainly know exist — that may affect their milk supply, and what their baby may ingest. The app lists safe levels of these elements, along with the potential effects on the baby, plus alternative meds mom can take that may be safer.
Mamava
For those moms who prefer to pump or breastfeed in private, the Mamava app is a smart solution that helps them locate just the right space for their needs. Mamava pods are located across the country, with roomy benches for moms and babies to feel comfortable during feeding time. Log in and locate the nearest pod, and then use the app to unlock the room when you arrive. There are also helpful videos for tips on better breastfeeding as well as a community chat for moms to mingle.
Lansinoh Baby
Moms who use the Lansinoh Smartpump can add the company's free app to the process to track and record pumping sessions when connected via Bluetooth. Parens can time breastfeeding sessions, note which side they fed from last, and even add diaper stats to the diary. There's tons of useful information for new moms to read as well, along with a sharing function so parents can provide their doctor with details of their journey.
Baby Connect
Baby Connect works not only on Android and iOS devices, but also iPads and Kindle Fire devices. You can also tap into its features using voice assistants including Siri, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. The app has trending charts, details where you can add vaccines, even a way to share information with babysitters and daycares.
Baby Tracker
Baby Tracker is a free app both for iOS and also Android devices created for moms that lets you start and stop nursing sessions, add notes about formula, and even allergens, while also letting you keep track of sleep schedules too. You can also add in growth details, and also milestones like a baby's first tooth.
Baby Feeding Log
The Baby Feeding Log is a free, iOS nursing tracker with a timer, where you can also track your baby's sleep schedule and naps. Bottle feedings can also be entered using ounces or even milliliters. And if you forget to add in a detail, you can manual adjust details later from sleep, to feeding to diaper changes as well.
Similac Baby Journal
Many are familiar with Similac, a popular baby formula parents have used for decades. Some moms pair breastfeeding with formula use, while others use formula exclusively. No matter the case, the Similac Baby Journal app is free to use. Inside the smartphone app, parents can record journals of feeding stats, maintain records of milestones, keep tabs on diaper changing and even note napping schedules which, sadly, will slow decrease even if parents still feed they themselves need one too.
