Becoming a new mom, or even a mom for a second (or third) time is challenging, no matter your age or circumstances. There is so much tech, however, designed to help make life for a new mom easier and run more seamlessly. You might frown on the idea of tech for new moms: moms, after all, have being doing the work since the beginning of time without it. But with today’s busy landscape, why not leverage tech that’s actually useful, and can make your days easier? Moms, after all, are now balancing work and family obligations, maybe even other kids, too.
From products that help with nursing and late-night feedings to peace-of-mind tech for keeping an eye on baby while they’re down for a nap and you tend to other tasks, the best tech for moms solve problems rather than exist for the sake of existing.
Nanit Pro Camera
While my son is long past the baby stage, one of the most essential devices I had when he was a baby was a video baby monitor. It allowed me to keep an eye (and ear) on him in his crib so I could see if he was crying, just stirring in the night, or had flipped over on his stomach or needed assistance. During the day, I could see when his eyes were open in his crib and greet him once he awoke. I even used our video baby monitor well into the toddler years to make sure he was going to bed and not playing around in his room, or to soothe him back to sleep during sleep training time.
The Nanit Pro camera is quickly becoming one of the most popular ones around. Available with a floor stand, wall mount, or flex stand, it captures 1,080p HD video with an overhead view, offers sound and motion alerts, and even provides sleep tracking and analytics when used with the wall mount or floor stand. There’s a sensor-free breathing motion monitor that can be worn on babies from 0-3 months and a split screen feature for parents with two kids. The floor stand is adjustable with four height settings, so it will work for a higher crib then a lower bed once your baby becomes a toddler and moves to the “big kid” sleeping arrangement. It comes with a cord cover to ensure safety near a crib and works with iOS or Android smartphones as well as Apple Mac (M1 chip and above) and Amazon Echo Show smart displays as remote monitors. Receiving rave reviews, this versatile camera is a favourite among new moms. The system sells in Canada for $500.
Babyark Convertible Car Seat
I got a full demo of the Babyark convertible car seat at CES a few years ago in Las Vegas and it’s the kind of high-tech smarts with a useful and appreciated purpose. With so many news stories of parents forgetting babies in car seats, often in a “baby brain” fog, this innovative car seat aims to prevent that from happening, even if you never think it would ever happen to you. It works with a companion app and has 14 sensors in the base to deliver crucial alerts, like forgotten child along with optimization of safety features. Use the SmrtGide feature of the app to help guide you through installation for reassurance that the seat is installed correctly as well as that your baby or child is buckled in safely.
Of course, the most important part of a baby car seat is that it’s designed with impact protection, comfort, and security in mind. The Babyark has an advanced shock absorption system that helps mitigate impact and diverts forces away from the child’s head. The adjustable headrest has 11 positions and is made using D30 impact-absorbing polymer material. The company offers a 100-day free trial period, so you can test it out with your child and decide if it works for you.
The premium version for US$990 includes the app connectivity with real-time notifications along with guiding lights for installation and carbon fibre material. It’s suitable for babies with an insert and for kids up to 65 lbs. (49 inches) in forward-facing mode. Note that you will need to charge its battery every 3-4 weeks.
Ember Self-Warming Baby Bottle Feeding System
Bottle warmers are nothing new for parents who bottle feed babies, either with formula or expressed breast milk. Ember is known for its heated mug, and the Ember Baby Bottle Feeding System extends this technology to new parents. It sits on a Smart Warming Puck that heats the milk safely and evenly without the hot spots you get when using a microwave. All you need to do is press a button and the bottle will be warm in five minutes, perfect for middle of the night feedings. What’s particularly great about it is that the battery is rechargeable so you can take it with you as well. An insulating dome keeps milk cool until you’re ready to heat it, so it’s like a Thermos, too. It can even be controlled from an app, so you can set the bottle on the base knowing your little one will arise in a few hours, tap a button, and warm the milk remotely. You can also use the app to log baby feedings, including times and how much they drank.
Ideal for use on a plane, while at the mall or out for brunch with friends, as well as at home, it saves those extra few minutes when you are rushing to get a bottle warmed while half asleep or looking for a power outlet to plug in a traditional warmer.
The set that includes two 6-ounce baby bottles, the insulating thermal dome, smart warming puck, power adapter, four nipples (two each level 2 and level 3), and nipple adapters for Dr. Brown’s and Philips Avent bottles (if your baby prefers and has gotten used to those) is about $500 in Canada.
Withings BeamO Multiscope
Another crucial item every new mom should have in her arsenal is a thermometer to check a baby or toddler’s temperature for fever. The Withings BeamO isn’t necessarily for babies, but you can use it safely on them. Introduced at CES earlier this year, it’s a no-contact thermometer that can easily read temperature without touching the skin. It can also observe heart and lung health by being used as a stethoscope. It has FDA clearance (none from Health Canada just yet) and works with an app.
Hold it by the baby’s chest and back to check acoustic sound waves, or to the forehead for temperature. At US$250, Withings assures that BeamO is safe to use for taking a baby’s temperature and as a stethoscope for heart and lung sounds.
Gluxkind Rosa Smart Stroller Travel System
This innovation, introduced at CES 2024 as well, doesn’t come cheap. But for moms having a tough time, it might be worth the investment. The Rosa smart stroller travel system is a combination stroller base, seat, and bassinet that can actually rock your baby to sleep automatically, and play soothing sounds via a white noise machine. You can adjust the rocking to the speed your child likes and choose white noise or even stream story time from a connected smartphone. I have several friends with babies who often put their child down for a nap in the stroller in a quiet room while enjoying adult time so they don’t have to duck home to keep baby on their sleep schedule. This product adds an extra bit of soothing so baby can get their much-needed rest, and parents don’t have to excuse themselves from the conversation.
Plus, it has Power Assist via a 500W duo motor to help you tackle difficult terrain while out for a morning or afternoon walk. Hills are no match for the added power you get to help you tackle that trail you have been wanting to try but are worried you won’t be able to navigate the stroller through. There’s intelligent brake assistance and automatic parking for added safety along with location tracking and even phone unlocking so no one can grab the stroller without the mobile key. Moms can even work on their fitness by tracking trips and steps and engaging in fitness challenges with friends.
Available with the sleep-ready smart bassinet, lay-flat smart seat, and modular battery, the set is on pre-order now, shipping to both the U.S. and Canada, for US$2,400.
The latest tech for new moms is innovative and designed to make life easier for moms and transport, feeding, and resting safer and more comfortable for little ones.
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