You can now get baby-data apps that allow you to chart and analyze your baby’s data to understand how he or she really measures up to the other babies in terms of developmental milestones and other behaviors: The Data Driven Parent
Is this something we need? This capability will give some data-driven parents comfort, but may cause anxiety in the rest. If you’d like your nanny to keep very careful records of everything your baby is doing, then you might want to look into one of these. One family using a baby-data app kept track of “feedings (input), diapers (output) , sleep sessions, and other accomplishments and generated 300 data points each month.” My only concern is whether the nanny will comply, or whether she’ll wonder if the whole process is dehumanizing in a culture that is more and more removed from the interpersonal and “soft data” realm. There’s something wonderful about enjoying your baby in the moment without too much thinking or analyzing going on. This is why we like babies so much, right? Because they’re not quantifiable; they’re not judging anything. They’re just being. I thought it was worth mentioning that these apps exist, because for some parents, especially those who work in a very quantitative environment, it will “speak their language” and assuage fears that they are missing out on important small details. I do understand that for some, this quantifiable data will bring them comfort that they are missing nothing. If they can’t experience their baby during the day through direct experience, they can experience their baby through the language they use in their work every day, and each parent needs to know they are connected to their baby’s experience in whatever form is most comfortable for them while they’re working.

To get more tips on child development, parenting and hiring and retaining a nanny go to: www.safeandsoundnannies.com

Dr. Ann Wycoff is founder of Safe and Sound Nannies, a full service agency.