The smart gadgets that make life easier for new parents

One of the best things about being a millennial parent? The nifty technology designed to assist you. These days, a video camera, built-in lullabies and infrared night vision are all standard on baby monitors, for example. The new generation of multitasking tech products is evolving constantly, helping to take the stress out of those first bleary-eyed months of parenting.

From Elvie’s ingenious silent electric breast pump, which can be worn under a bra so you can get up and about, to the Owlet smart sock baby monitor, which delivers data on your baby’s heart rate, sleep patterns and oxygen levels, life as a new parent just got a little bit easier. Even the bestselling Tommee Tippee GroEgg2 digital room thermometer doubles as a night light. And then there’s Vital Baby's UV-only steriliser, which eliminates the need for sterilising fluids.

‘As new parents, we may feel like we need a bit of a safety net – but the most important thing is to build self-confidence through experience,’ says parenting and pregnancy editor and mother-of-two, Laura Lee Davies. ‘Alongside the wisdom of parents, friends and books, smart parenting gadgets like monitors and timers can really help. Especially if you’re the kind of person who likes to be reassured by order.’

The Bluebell, one of the most multitasking baby gadgets around, tracks breathing, skin temperature and sleep routine, and alerts you when baby has rolled on to its tummy. Created by three dads who are healthcare professionals, Romi Mathew, Naveen Sharma and Markus Bergman, the Bluebell is designed to alleviate the stress of looking after a new baby while simultaneously tracking your own wellbeing. ‘We’re aiming to provide smart monitoring for the whole family,’ explains Romi. ‘We want to be a solution that grows with the family, supporting their sleep, routine and wellbeing at every step.’

New to our offering this year are the hi-tech include Nanit baby monitor, a smart HD monitor that delivers updates straight to your smartphone, and Babymoov nursery humidifier, available in a range of stylish shades. The cuddly MyHummy sleep aids for newborns emit five sounds, from white noise and ocean waves to amniotic fluid with heartbeat, to help lull baby to sleep. They also make great new-baby presents (the parents will thank you).

With all this tech designed to help look after your baby, are we in danger of losing good old common sense? What’s the best way to use a smart parenting gadget? ‘At first, use it as a teacher to learn what works for you and your baby,’ says Laura Lee. ‘Check out the stats you build up on sleep habits, feeding times and body temperature to learn what is normal for your child. In the early weeks this can be hugely reassuring, but eventually, your instincts will take over. Then it’s time to use your smart parenting kit as a helpful assistant.’