New Baby Theres an App for that

New Baby? There’s an App for that!

May 31, 2023 Women

You already know your smartphone is great for taking pictures of your beautiful new baby (and sharing those pics with all your friends and family). But, do you know which baby apps to download for expert advice that’s available 24/7?! We do! We’ve sifted through a bazillion free baby apps to find the best ones to share with you – ok, maybe not a bazillion, but it was a LOT!

mother clicking pic baby

Glow Baby Growth Tracker

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baby growth track

Log memories and milestones with this newborn tracker app for new parents. Glow Baby helps you track your baby’s sleep schedule, feeding, diapers, daily activities, and more.

Cost: Free

Apple app store

To download from the Apple App Store click here.

play store

To download from the Google Play Store click here.

Baby Feeding Log

If you need something simple to track breastfeeding, bottle feeds, sleep and diaper changes, this app is a good bet. You can use it with one hand, which is handy when you’re holding your baby in your arms. You can also email yourself a report as a pdf file.

Cost: Free

Apple app store

To download from the Apple App Store click here. (For iPhone only)

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baby feeding

My Pregnancy & Baby Today

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Baby Today

From BabyCenter.com, this app guides moms through pregnancy and offers support during baby’s first year. With a feeding guide that provides breastfeeding, formula tips, a solid food tracker, articles and videos on infant health and tips on baby care, this app gets two thumbs up! There’s some fun there too — a photo album to document your baby’s growth and milestones. If you’re wondering “Is it normal?”, there are answers to your important questions too.

Cost: Free

Apple app store

To download from the Apple App Store click here.

play store

To download from the Google Play Store click here.

Sprout – Baby Tracker

This app can help you track all your little ones at once! The tracking features include sleep, growth,
breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, pumping, diapers and immunizations. There is also a medical records tool that helps you keep track of your baby’s doctor visits and the medications your baby is taking. One especially nice aspect is that you can time and record nursing sessions with one hand and share records and updates with your healthcare provider and others.

Cost: Free

Apple app store

To download from the Apple App Store click here. (For iPhone only)

sprout small
baby tracker

WebMD Baby

B log Alphabate
web md baby

Recommended by Consumer Reports Magazine, this one’s a winner! Track your baby’s growth, feeding, sleep and diapers and have access to hundreds of doctor approved articles, videos and tips about child development and health. Put together a baby book and share it in real time with friends and family. A nice feature is that the tracker tools can sync with several devices so your partner or caregiver can also use it.

Cost: Free

Apple app store

To download from the Apple App Store click here.

play store

To download from the Google Play Store click here.

hand-expierence

HAND EXPRESSION

How it works

Use your hand to gently massage and compress your breast to remove milk.

What’s Involved

  • Requires practice, skill, and coordination.
  • Gets easier with practice and can be as fast as pumping.
  • Good if you are not often away from your baby or you need an option that is always with you. All moms should know how to hand express, in case they need to do it unexpectedly.

Average Cost

Free

Side-Lying

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
cross-cradle

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Football

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CRADLE hold

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
laid-back

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position