By Keiko Zoll, Disney Baby
Even before Judah arrived, I always knew I would be the kind of mom who is on the go and plugged in, because I’m simply the kind of woman who’s already on the go and plugged in! In those very early days as a bleary-eyed new parent, when Judah was still
just a tiny newborn, my smartphone was a lifesaver.
From my experience, as a total geek mom who loves her gadgets and tech, there are so many apps out there for new moms and dads – and it can feel overwhelming about which app does what, and if you’ll really even need it. After lots of app downloads since
Judah’s been born, here are my 10 favorite tried-and-true must-have apps for every new parent: from logging diapers to meals, ordering baby essentials, and even just capturing those one of kind moments to share with family and friends – these apps have
it all!
Apps to Keep Tabs on Baby’s Day
Baby Nursing/Breastfeeding
This was, hands down, my favorite, most-used app when Judah was first born. For nursing moms, this free app (with In App Purchases) is an absolute essential. You can comprehensively track your nursing and breastfeeding data, from timed nursing (including
from which side) all with just a simple tap on your screen. You can also record your baby’s growth data and store videos, pictures, and sound. The Premium version ($3.99) includes tracking support for Bottles, Diapers, Pumping, Sleeping, Solids, Bath
Time, Doctor’s Visits, Medication, and Vaccinations. Available in the App Store and Google Play.
Eat Sleep: Simple Baby Tracking
This free app does exactly what it says: it allows you to track your baby’s diapers, what and when they’ve eaten, and their sleep habits. You can even look at baby’s data over time, from daily, weekly, and monthly views, too. When you’re feeling like
a “mombie” with your newborn, a baby tracking app like this is just the thing for sleep-deprived parents! Available in the App Store.
Apps to Help Keep Baby’s Essentials at Hand
Diapers.com
This free app from Diapers.com is perfect for new moms and dads who can barely find time to get out of the house and to the store. You can make sure you’ll always be stocked with diapers for your newborn with this app on your phone, because it makes ordering
diapers as simple as just a few clicks! You also get free shipping on all orders over $49 and shipping only takes 1-2 days. And you can get more than just diapers with this app, so it’s perfect for staying stocked up on baby essentials whenever you
need them. Available in the App Store.
Babies “R” Us Mobile Shopping App
This free app came in handy even before Judah was born: we could update our registry right from our phones! Once Judah arrived a few weeks earlier than expected, we were able to make updates to our registry as friends and family wanted to send us any
essentials we needed for our preemie. In addition to updating your registry, you can find items available for in-store pickup and even order them right from your phone. A handy app to have as you pin down necessities for baby, both big and small. Available
in the App Store and Google Play.
Apps to Help Baby Get to Sleep
Sleepy Sounds
This free app was definitely an essential when Judah developed colic, and we had to break out an entire arsenal of new techniques to help him get to sleep. Sleepy Sounds features lullabies, white noise, and nature sounds to help baby get to sleep. You
can set a timer for each sound, too. Available in the App Store and Google Play.
La Luna: The Story Project
The one iPad app ($1.99) I have to recommend is perhaps one of the most beautiful on this list. Featuring Pixar’s award-winning animated short, La Luna, the iPad app transforms the cartoon into an amazing interactive storybook where you can watch the
film or read a storybook version of it, as well as watch behind-the-scenes footage. With its gorgeous imagery and soothing soundtrack, this app is perfect for bedtime. (Judah loves this app.) Available in the App Store.
Apps to Capture Magical Moments With Baby
Instagram
This free app is perfect for capturing all your magical, precious moments with baby – and add cool filters to them, too! I am a big fan of Instagram, especially as a way of capturing those moments. It can also record up to 15 seconds of video, so Instagram
is a great way of creating baby videos that get right to the adorableness without any filler. Available in the App Store and Google Play.
Dayli
As much as I love free apps, sometimes it’s totally worth it to pay for apps that do something truly unique – like watch your baby grow every single day with this amazing photo journal app! You can take a photo of baby’s face every day (or any interval
you choose) and Dayli compiles a time-lapse video of all the photos. It even includes guides to line up faces perfectly each time. Available for $2.99 in the App Store.
Apps to Share Your Family Fun
Skype
With family and friends all over the globe, Skype has been the perfect way for Judah to keep in touch with all of the people who love him. Not only does he get to talk with them, he gets to see them too, with Skype’s free video call service. So long as
who we’re calling has a webcam or even a smartphone camera, we can have video chat moments together as extended family whenever we want! Available in the App Store, Google Play, and Amazon Appstore.
Shutterfly
This free app is a mobile extension of the popular digital personalized photo products and service website. With it, you can easily create personalized photo books and other gifts right from your phone’s camera roll. Trust me, you’ll be taking millions
of pictures of your baby, so this is a convenient way to bundle your memories of baby each year – and a super easy way to send out sweet grandparent gifts during the holidays! Available in the App Store and Google Play.
Image : Disney Baby