Daddy Downloads: 10 Essential Apps For Fathers-to-Be

Source: Daddy Downloads: 10 Essential Apps For Fathers-to-Be

Deep in the throes of pregnancy, it's easy for a mama-to-be to forget that she didn't get into her current state all by herself. While the majority of pregnancy literature, apps and discussions center around the woman's experience, there are resources out there tailored to the partners. Check out the following selection of apps that will come in handy for a daddy-to-be who wants to be as involved in the whole pregnancy process as nature will allow.

• Nutricia Baby Connection (free): Right now Nutricia Baby Connection is only available in Dutch and French, but their innovative campaign to attract expectant dads' attention makes them a worthy add to the list. With the goal of getting both parents to use the app together, Nutricia figured they'd give the men a taste of what the ladies experience: the app campaign took place in a busy mall where the men were outfitted with a faux pregnancy suit and then asked to do everyday tasks like get out of bed, complete household tasks, and simply sit in a chair. The app allows two users to contribute to a pregnancy timeline individually, and when the phones are close enough together, they can be "coupled," literally transforming into one big screen. So cute!
• mPregnancy - For Men ($3): The mPregnancy - For Men app provides good facts and information about physical pregnancy and what their partner is experiencing, from a funny "man's eye view" of perspective - illustrations of how the baby develops compares the fetus to the size of a football, a bottle of beer, or a pizza. Stereotypical? Absolutely, but if it will give men a better idea of what's going on in there then it's worth it.

• dad2be ($2): Dad2be is meant to sound like advice from a friend, advising expectant dads on ways to best support their partner and empathizing with the various mixed emotions he might be feeling.
• HoneyDo ($5): Not a pregnancy app per se, HoneyDo is an app that lets a pregnant, craving mama-to-be send her man to-do tasks in real time. Dad might not like the idea at first, but it's better then coming all the way home only to have to run right back out for an absolutely necessary bologna and cheese sandwich.
• iHandy Carpenter ($2): iHandy Carpenter makes putting together a crib, changing table, and countless other some-assembly-required baby products a little bit easier - especially if the soon-to-be daddy isn't necessarily gifted with a hammer. It comes with five different tools - a plumb bob, surface level, bubble level bar, steel protractor, and steel ruler - because a lopsided changing table just won't do.
• The Guys Guide to the Delivery Room ($1): The Guys Guide to the Delivery Room prepares men for that big moment that they've probably been excited about and dreading in equal measure. The app gives easy-to-understand, play-by-play information about what to expect in the delivery room, so that hopefully, when the time arrives, dad-to-be can focus on his partner, instead of breathing into a paper bag to stop hyperventilating.

• Pregnant Dad ($2): Pregnant Dad provides essential, straightforward information regarding the baby's growth and development in addition to man-tailored tips and hints about how to best navigate a pregnancy.
• Pregnancy For Men ($1): Pregnancy For Men is a good app for the dad-to-be who wants to know the important stuff without getting into all of the gritty details. It's an informative look at what's going on in their partner's growing belly and has some pretty funny audio clips of advice from other men.
• DaddyBluez (free): Postpartum depression has become an openly discussed issue over the past several years. But even though the Journal of the American Medical Association says that up to 10 percent of all fathers experience depression at some point between the first trimester of their partner's pregnancy and their child's first birthday, From Here to Paternity is the truthful account of author Andrew Cullen's experience of his wife's pregnancy. It's candid, funny, and entirely relatable.