The first year of a baby’s life is filled with milestone moments: learning how to roll over, grasp objects, and of course, exciting forays into mobility like those first few wobbly steps.

But today, not only is “baby’s first [fill in the blank]” documented via home video — it’s also “liked” on social media, uploaded to the cloud, and sent to grandma instantly via shared photo albums. The fact that such technology is deeply ingrained into our modern lives brings up new considerations for parents: How can technology help parents during their baby’s first year?

Finding a way to integrate your parenting life with digital devices in a balanced way can set a foundation for healthy family interactions with technology for years to come. Here’s what the experts have to say. 

Baby’s first screen time

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), parents should wait until a child is at least two years old before exposing them to digital media— in other words, plopping an 8-month-old in front of a passive screen like TV or tablets to occupy them is probably not optimal. Moreover, the jury is still out(opens in a new tab) on whether “educational” apps are truly beneficial for babies, so experts suggest exercising common sense when it comes to setting boundaries for digital programming.

But some studies have found that not all screen time is detrimental. Specifically, screen time that encourages parent/infant bonding and interaction may actually be beneficial to early development. Some activities like interactive video calling, where babies communicate with a parent or another human virtually, have been found to help babies learn.

To establish healthy tech practices as a family, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests(opens in a new tab) a “balanced approach” to media in the home. Consider what your daily tech use is and be mindful of what your infant is being exposed to, as by 9 months old, babies are already imitating gestures and mimicking adult behavior. Be a role model when using technology: Put away smartphones during meal time, treat devices with care, and interact with digital assistants like Alexa using a polite and respectful tone — use phrases like “Please” and “Thank you” — to demonstrate behaviors you’d like to instill upon your children as they grow up.

Tech for new parents

Digital tools designed to help parents are hot conversation topics in parenting forums both on and offline. Smart baby monitors are particularly popular devices for those who want to keep an eye on their little ones, and hundreds of mobile apps designed to help with everything from nighttime routines to nursing have become must-downloads for new parents.

Even tools that aren’t found in the baby aisle can be game-changing for modern moms and dads. Voice-activated devices like Amazon Echo(opens in a new tab) can serve as a hands-free tool to master scheduling (“Alexa: Set a reminder for bath time in two hours”) or asking the dozens of questions that arise in the wee hours of the morning (“Alexa, when do babies start teething?”) And as a new parent, Alexa will often be able to give you the extra help you need. 

Technology can also supplement time-tested practices such as bedtime reading, playing music, or other bonding activities. There are a few ways parents can get creative. Use your tablet and printer to print out colorful pictures your child may not have access to otherwise, such as exotic animals, children from other cultures, or photographs of family members who live far away. Explain these concepts to them as you would while reading a traditional paper book.

Create custom-tailored playlists for both bedtime and playtime via streaming services; asking Alexa to play baby’s favorite lullaby when he or she starts to (mercifully) yawn; or asking smart speakers to reorder formula, diapers, or other essential supplies (in certain cities and stores participating in Prime Now).

When used mindfully, technology can be a great help during the transition period in a new parent’s life. While it’s not recommended to watch animated classics with your bundle of joy just yet, you can still tap into the many ways tech products can streamline your day-to-day parenting routine.