Starting research to prepare for her first child, Ms. Thu Huong, 30 years old, living in Hanoi, went online to learn about the child-rearing process and support tools for the couple. In just a few days, she felt a bit "dizzy" when receiving too much information, especially about technology-based devices to support raising children.
"There are so many things I haven't known before. I didn't think that just a crib could have so many companies that could have so many types of technology in it. It surprised me and I could not help but wonder, whether the baby and the family could take full advantage of what technology brings? ", Ms. Huong shared.
This is also a concern that many young couples with new children are looking for a solution to solve. In an era where technology penetrates every aspect of life, the baby industry is no exception to this trend. From automatic cribs, smart breast pumps, to AI- integrated surveillance cameras, these products promise to help parents make the journey to raise young children less difficult.
One of the most notable products in recent years is the Snoo - a smart crib that can automatically hook up and play the sound of a sleeping breeze. With a cost of up to tens of millions of VND, many parents consider this an investment worth considering so that children can sleep better. Some have praised the device as a lifebuoy, while others have been frustrated by their children's inability to adapt.
In addition, sleep tracking devices such as Nanit Pro are also increasingly popular. With the ability to analyze movements, warn when the baby wakes up and record sleep data, this product helps parents feel more secure. However, this convenience does not always go hand in hand with reality, as many families find that a regular surveillance camera can also meet the same needs at a lower cost.
Technology does not stop at supporting sleep but also expands to many other aspects of the child care process. Applications like Huckleberry help parents track their children's eating, sleeping and diaper changes, making it easy to adjust their children's schedules. Many busy parents also come to white sound reproducers such as Hatch Rest to help their baby sleep better, or electronic breast pumps to save time in breastfeeding.
In general, technology has created many changes in the way of raising newborns. From simple devices to products applying artificial intelligence, this market is constantly expanding with countless options. However, whether these technology items are really necessary or not is still a big question that not every family has the same answer.
Technology is not for every child
Although the development of technology has brought many benefits, modern devices do not always achieve the expected results. Each baby has different needs and preferences, making finding a suitable product a big challenge.
Mr. Duc Hoang, a sales staff in Thai Nguyen, shared that technology does not always work effectively, especially for newborns. "S sleep-assisted technology products sound promising in parenting, but they are not always effective for every child. Whether my son lies in an automatic crib or turns on a white noise, it is not as effective as sleeping in a regular crib," said Mr. Hoang.
Thus, many parents realize that despite owning a series of support devices, taking care of their children is still not easy. Some children can sleep well with white noise from devices like Hatch Rest, but others refuse to "cooperate". An expensive cradle like Snoo can help improve sleep in some children, but there are also many cases where they refuse to lie still and cry more when the cradle is automatically passed.
In addition, there are products that are promoted as indispensable but in reality do not bring as much value as expected. An electronic breast pump is a typical example. Although designed to heat milk quickly and conveniently, many parents realize that placing a milk bottle in a glass of warm water can give the same result without spending more money. Similarly, expensive baby monitoring devices are not really necessary for every family, as a regular security camera is enough to monitor the baby while sleeping.
One of the important lessons that many parents learn is that technology cannot completely replace parents' observation and understanding. A sleep tracking app can provide data on your baby's sleep time, but it can't explain why they're crying. A smart cradle can sleep your baby, but cannot replace the warm feeling when parents seduce it.
In reality, many families find that traditional methods are more effective than modern devices. Some children sleep better when wrapped in a soft blanket, instead of lying in an automatic cradle. The sound of cbs and applause in the voice is sometimes more effective than the lute music played from the smart speaker.
Technology has opened up many new options for parents, but it is important not to rely too much on these devices. Before spending money on an expensive technology item, parents should consider whether the product is really suitable for their child. Sometimes, simple solutions bring better results, making child care easier and closer.