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Every job has a learning curve, and being a new parent is no different. Parenting doesn't come with an instruction manual, and there are no standard guidelines. However, thanks to new technology and some creative innovations, parents can take advantage of a variety of useful apps to help ease the way. With that in mind, Little Teether invites you to check out the following smartphone apps, which provide parents with the peace of mind and info they need to navigate their busy days.

Remember to Protect Your Smartphone

Before you start downloading any apps, you need to take a few steps to ensure that your helpful (and expensive!) smartphone or ipad stays protected at all times. Parents are excellent jugglers, but sometimes keeping all those helpful apps safe on their smartphones can be a real challenge. Babies are messy and prone to a variety of accidents. Thankfully, there are several waterproof cases available to protect your device while still providing you with the functionality (access to ports, buttons, screen, etc.) you need to get through the day. Also, if you happen to drop your device, most cases will protect your smartphone or ipad from falls. Not to mention dirt and debris. You should consider your options before investing in the case that works for you. Once your device is protected, you won’t have to worry about losing your lifeline.

Baby Sign and Learn

Even before babies can talk, they can learn to communicate through sign language. Signing is a visual language using simple gestures. The Baby Sign and Learn Lite app uses colorful animated characters to teach both parent and baby to say what they mean without using any spoken words. Studies have shown there are cognitive benefits to learning sign language at an early age. Baby Sign and Learn makes it easy.

BabyTime

The BabyTime app is a thoughtfully designed tracking app that allows parents to recognize patterns and establish beneficial routines. The user-friendly interface monitors your baby's natural sleep and eating habits using simple graphs and charts to record activity. One unique feature of BabyTime is the ability to connect with other parents through its friendly community, which is a great way to share ideas and insights.

Cloud Baby Monitor

Cloud Baby Monitor turns your smartphone into a state-of-the-art monitoring device. It is designed to provide crystal-clear audio and video from longer distances than conventional monitors. The app has some cool features, including brightness control and night vision so parents can keep an eye on the baby without waking her. You can help your baby fall asleep by playing lullabies or relaxation tracks through the monitor and it doesn't get any better than that.  

WebMD Baby

Parents can give themselves a little peace of mind with some guidance from WebMD Baby. Besides providing comprehensive information, the trusted app also keeps track of your baby's schedules and milestones. The home page highlights handy tips and relevant articles specific to newborn and toddler well-being. Best of all, you can find answers to worrisome health problems including what steps to take or when to call your doctor.

Day One

Day One isn't geared specifically toward parenting, but it is the perfect choice for keeping a journal of your baby's progress and special moments. The easy-to-use app is like a personal blog on your phone, allowing you to easily add photos and thoughts without fuss. You can add categories or locations, as well as take advantage of customizing the appearance. The app will even record the weather on that day, helping to bring your memories to life.

Cozi Family Organizer

Cozi is all about sharing with the family. The must-have app allows you to set-up a customizable family calendar using different colors for each family member. Cozi Family Organizer keeps up with everyone's activities and appointments making it ideal for busy families on the go who want to keep track of each other. It's a great way to stay organized when the new baby arrives and to coordinate scheduling and shopping lists with all family members.

Parenting will require more out of you than anything you’ve encountered thus far, so it’s nice to have some help in your corner. By taking advantage of the helpful apps we’ve outlined above, you take a little of the stress out of parenthood while giving yourself some peace of mind.

 Emily Graham