Before becoming a dad, I never thought I’d spend so much time analyzing graphs about naps, pee, and poop. But here we are.
Apps were incredibly helpful in the early parenting months—not because they made life easy, but because they gave me just enough clarity to stay afloat.
Huckleberry: The Sleep Whisperer
One of the MVPs in our home was the Huckleberry app. It didn’t just tell us when to put our kid to sleep—it gave us a framework. A sense of how much sleep babies typically need and what wake windows looked like at each stage.
Were we perfect about following it? Not even close. But knowing the rhythm helped us aim for some version of routine—and that, alone, made the days (and nights) feel more manageable.
The real-time data was also a game-changer. We tracked pee, poop, and fluid intake—which ended up being incredibly useful, especially when our son got sick. Doctors always ask about these basics, and being able to give accurate information lowered my anxiety in the moment. No guessing, no scrambling for answers.
Smoother Handoffs, Shared Load
Another benefit I didn’t anticipate? Easier handoffs. Instead of having to explain every detail during our shifts, my wife and I could just look at the app. If something seemed off, we both knew the rhythm well enough to ask the right questions. It reduced the friction of the invisible mental load and made us feel more like a team.
Eventually, the app became less useful. Once our kid dropped to one nap, the insights just weren’t worth the input. I had to say goodbye—and that in itself was a bit of a moment. Letting go of something that once served us well.
No One App Does It All
A lesson I learned along the way: there may not be a perfect app. Sometimes I used multiple at once—because one tracked feeds better, another had better graphs, and another had just the right sleep predictor.
Eventually, I’d settle into the one that gave me the most value. And when it stopped offering that value, I stopped using it. No guilt. Just adaptation.
Presence Over Perfection
I never wanted our tools to become crutches. I tried to use the apps as support—not as replacements for being present with my kid. Especially when traveling or in unfamiliar settings, we couldn’t rely on the perfect nap environment or ideal feed times.
That’s where the real lessons in flexibility came in. And you know what? Things always worked out. They still do.
Insight Timer… the One That Got Away
I had high hopes for using the Insight Timer app to stay grounded. In theory, guided meditations would’ve been great for me. In reality? I didn’t have time—or maybe I didn’t prioritize it.
Still, it’s on my list. If you’re in the early stages of parenting and can make it happen, I imagine even 5 minutes would help shift your entire day.
Gratitude for What’s Available
At the end of the day, I feel deeply fortunate to live in a time and place where so much support is just a download away.
These apps didn’t raise my child—but they helped raise me into the parent I’m becoming.
And that’s something I’m grateful for.
