Milestone tracking apps are all the rage, but can they really beat a mother’s intuition? Bianca Smit, soon-to-be mom of two, talks about the milestone-tracking apps she uses to stay on top of her pregnancy and track her baby’s development.
“There are many apps available that are packed with helpful information, breaking down your baby’s development week by week, as well as changes in your own body,” she explains. “It’s truly magical to learn about how rapidly your baby is growing and what both of you are experiencing during each stage.” Bianca recommends the Flo Pregnancy Tracker app for this.
Regarding childhood developmental milestones, Bianca explains: “Technology has made it much easier to track developmental milestones. While every child develops at their own pace, it’s helpful to have insight into what they might be experiencing. It prepares you for things like sleep regressions and teething phases.” For sleep training, Bianca suggests visiting goodnightbaby.co.za, she also recommends the BabySparks – Development Activities and Milestones app.
She does, however, mention that while apps are great tools for tracking, parental intuition still plays a big role.
On the topic of “mommy support groups”, Bianca says they can be overwhelming at times, especially for new moms. “At times, you just need to trust your instincts. That’s how you build confidence and grow as a mom. Trial and error is often the best teacher,” she says.
Her advice to new moms? “Your journey through pregnancy and motherhood will be unique to you, so try not to compare yourself to others. Becoming a mother is beautiful, but it’s also challenging – and that doesn’t mean you’re failing. You’ll receive endless advice, but trust your instincts and do what’s best for you and your baby.”
Compiled by Warren Hawkins
