Being a first-time parent is exciting, but it can also be nerve-wracking. If you're anxious about the prospect, don't worry! This is perfectly normal. Women, in particular, may experience heightened anxiety after giving birth, due in part to hormone fluctuations. A lot of anxiety is simply due to not knowing what to expect. With feedings, diaper changes, and sleep schedules, there's a lot to learn and manage.
You don't have to go it alone, however. Emily McGregor is dedicated to helping people start their journey to parenthood on the right foot. A doula, childbirth educator, and lactation counselor, Emily provides the resources and support you need to ensure you and your child are thriving in their early days.
There are also many handy tech tools to help you stay on top of all your new duties in those first uncertain days as a parent. Here are a few:
Milk Maid
According to Hopkins Medicine, milk provides babies with essential nutrients, like vitamin D. Tracking your child's intake ensures you're giving them sufficient sustenance. The Milk Maid app has been featured everywhere from The New York Times to Parenting magazine. This app helps pumping moms manage their breast milk stash. You can record pumping sessions, track your fresh versus frozen milk inventory, and set expiration dates for different batches. You can also track your history of pumping and feeding sessions.
Baby Tracker Nursing App
The Baby Tracker app lets you chart all of your newborn's essential activities, including feeding, diaper changes, and sleeping. This can provide you with helpful information about their habits, allowing you to structure your days accordingly. You can also use this app to track milestones, such as your child's first tooth or step. This information is also valuable for your pediatrician and lets you take control of your kid's health by asking insightful questions.
Mommy Saver: High Contrast Baby Visual Stimulation
As a new parent, nothing is more frustrating than trying to calm your seemingly inconsolable baby. This app can help. It displays high-contrast images of moving shapes and lines, offering baby-friendly entertainment designed to put a smile on your little one's face. The app is ad-free. It also features optional classical music, which can prove soothing and even help put your child to sleep.
Milestones and Memories
A picture is worth a thousand words. That's the logic behind the Milestones and Memories app, which lets you quickly organize visual milestones in an attractive and user-friendly book. You can add borders, illustrations, and cover designs to create your very own baby book. The intuitive dashboard lets you create profiles for different children in your family, track milestones and growth, and even select holiday- and age-specific events.
Cozi Family Organizer
One of the biggest challenges of parenthood isn't taking care of your baby. It's coordinating parenting tasks with your partner. Cozi Family Organizer lets you both stay on top of all your and your children's obligations, from pediatrician appointments to first days of school. You can even use this app to share a real-time grocery list and keep track of chores. This is an app that can grow with your family.
Other ways tech tools can help you manage your family
Beyond baby- and parenting-specific apps, there are many tech tools that can make family management easier. Planning a family party? Check out Evite. Need a babysitter? Take a look at Care.com. If you're in the market for a bigger house because you have a baby on the way, RedFin's real estate app is a good place to start looking and even take virtual tours and "walk through" homes that interest you.
With the above tools, you'll be well-equipped to not only care for a baby but manage an entire family. Knowing that you have support will make the idea of parenthood less daunting. Make sure to visit Emily’s blog for more valuable, supportive, and inspiring resources.
Photo Credit: Pexels.com
*This guest article by Josh Moore is not sponsored or endorsed by any of the companies or apps mentioned.