9 Ways Alexa Can Help New Parents

This post is a sponsored post. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.

So much has changed in the parenting world since I was a mom for the first time. Things that could have helped make life just a little easier. Recently I became a new mom again and I’ll be honest, it hasn’t been the easiest. Trying to balance everyday tasks and adjust to a new routine has probably been the most difficult.

I’ve been looking for ways to make life as a new parent a little bit easier and found that our Amazon Echo has been a tremendous help. There are so many things Alexa can do to truly help parents. Instead of looking at it like another piece of technology, I look at it like it’s part of my family – because it has become just that. Alexa has so many skills that have helped me daily, making parenting a little easier. Here are some of my favorites.

Alexa Skill Blueprints

Alexa Skill Blueprints is such an amazing and unique feature. By far one of the most useful things I have used our Echo for. There are so many options you can customize on it like chores for older kids, information for a house guest, whose turn it is to do something, etc. My favorite feature for parents definitely has to be the option for babysitters. This allows you to give your babysitter proper information to help make the transition easier. You can customize a lot of options such as:

• Daily schedules
• Allergies and medications
• Where to find things
• How to do things
• Emergency contact information

Sleep Sounds

I don’t know what I would do without white noise. It’s the only sound that really helps not only put my little one to sleep, but to keep him asleep as well. Whatever your little one needs to fall asleep, Alexa has you covered. Just ask Alexa to play one of the many sleep sounds or lullabies and set a timer with her. You can also just let it play until you say “Alexa, stop.”

Dim Lights

Nothing worse than trying to put your little one to sleep and realizing the lights are still brightly lit. With Amazon Echo, Alexa has the ability to dim lights. Simply install the Smart Dimmer light switch and compatible smart bulb and you are ready to dim those lights whenever you want without needing to get up. 

Grocery List

Adding grocery items to your list couldn’t be easier. I don’t know about you, but there are those moments when I only have a few diapers left and need to remind myself for when I go to the store. There have been several times where I have run out of diapers (or wipes) in the middle of the night and I never want that to happen again. Thanks to the Echo, you can tell Alexa to add the things you need the most to your grocery list as you run low. “Alexa, add diaper cream to the list.”

Recipes

One of my favorite things about our Echo is the fact I can ask Alexa to pull up any recipe. Not only will she pull up the recipe, but she will give you step-by-step directions on how to make your dish. This is definitely a feature I use almost daily. I can make my family healthy and easy dinners without having to search the web.

You Can Order Food

Yes, that’s right! As a new mom, sometimes the last thing you want or have time for is cooking dinner. I love the fact that I can order from GrubHub right on my device, easily!

Bedtime Stories

Bedtime stories is such a cool skill and one we incorporate into our nightly routine! When it’s time for bed, Alexa will read one of the many short stories available. What I love about this feature is the fact we don’t need the lights on super bright since we aren’t using an actual book. We can get our snuggles in with the lights dim and have Alexa tell us a bedtime story right before bed.

Drop In

Drop In is an optional feature that is really cool. With compatible Echo devices and the Alexa app on your phone, you are able to talk to someone in another room. Let’s say the TV is too loud in the living room while you are trying to put the baby down to sleep. You can quietly ask the person in the living room to lower the volume without having to raise your voice and ask.

Breathing Exercises

It’s ok to be stressed as a parent. It happens and sometimes we need to take a moment for ourselves. The Breathing Exercises skill is a fantastic tool. Alexa helps guide you through this breathing exercise with sounds, telling you when to inhale and exhale, following the meditative sounds to find the rhythm of your breath.

This is just a small fraction of what Alexa can do to help make parenting easier. To learn more, click HERE.

What are some of your favorite Alexa skills?