Welcoming a new baby is full of organizational and educational milestones, so why not download a few smart phone applications (apps) to make the experience easier and more fun? Whether you’re having contractions, nursing a newborn, or teaching your baby sign language, rest assured, there’s an app for that. While programmers have yet to invent an app for changing dirty diapers (ahem), the following smart screens may help in other less miraculous, but equally inventive ways.

BabyBump ($4.99) • This comprehensive pregnancy app does it all. Journal about your growing belly, monitor weight gain, record baby’s kicks, and catch up on health and nutrition tips. Even watch a simulated vaginal birth, prepare a birthing plan for your big day, and sync up with Facebook or Twitter to share your happy news.

Contraction Master ($0.99) •  The dad who invented this app was frustrated with the old stop-watch-and-steno-pad routine during his wife’s labor. So he made it easier. Now, you or your partner can simply tap “start” or “stop” on this ingeniously straightforward app, and instantly know your contraction durations, frequency, and a complete history to take (or email) to your doctor. Why didn’t I think of that

Total Baby ($4.99) • Whether you’re a control freak, or a bit absent-minded, Total Baby helps new moms stay on track with nursing, diapering, bathing, naps, and doctor’s visits. Keep up with how many times your baby dirties a diaper, when she should nurse again, and which vaccinations are next due. If you have multiples, this app is a triple-threat, as it allows busy parents to track several tots at once.

Baby Scrapbook ($1.99) • As long as your smart phone is around, so too will be tons of baby photos. Now you can capture and compile those darling firsts into a no-mess virtual scrapbook, complete with themes, captions, and baby info. Grandma and Grandpa will be so proud!

Baby Sign ASL ($4.99) • Want to communicate with your baby in a new way? With this sign language app, simply choose a word or phrase from the on-screen list, such as “hungry” or “I love you,” and watch a video of the sign being performed. Then have fun practicing the new language with your baby. Also, check out the smaller “Lite” version for free.

Pandora App (Free) • This music player allows you to customize radio channels for you and your baby, based on favorite songs or musicians. Try the Sesame Street channel, Kid’s Folk Music channel, or They Might Be Giants Children’s Radio.

iStoryTime ($1.99) • Advertised as a great way to keep little tykes distracted and entertained at restaurants, airports and grocery stores, this app reads your child an illustrated book while you finish eating or shopping. Choose from stories like “Shoe-per Duper Shoes” or “The Brave Monkey Pirate” (each title sold separately) and then select an adult narrator or child narrator for the audio. For younger babies, select auto page-turn, and as your child grows, let him “turn” the pages on his own.

Did we miss your favorite app? Visit MemphisParent.com to share more baby apps for new parents.

Make Brushing Fun

Kids aren’t keen on brushing their teeth. Can you blame them? Brushing is boring. Up, down, side-to-side — booooring. Why not kick it up a notch, with the new Kid’s Spinbrush My Way by Arm and Hammer. This battery-operated toothbrush comes with six pages of groovy stickers. Kids can personalize their brush with cute little animals, peace signs, crowns, even letters that spell their name. Any 7-year-old will tell you, stickers make stuff cool (maybe even brushing). Give it a whirl.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 3:00 pm and is filed under Baby Page, Columns. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.