New tool to help parents capture baby's development

Researchers in the US have designed a new multimedia system that allows parents to record their baby's health records and developmental progress. Created by a team of experts from the University of Washington and the Georgia Institute of Technology, Baby Steps records an infant's milestones and medically relevant information in an easily accessible online diary. Presenting the interactive tool at the Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems this week, lead researcher Julie Kientz revealed that it doubled parents' collection of their child's medical history.

The unpredictable actions of babies often make it difficult for parents to capture precious moments, such as their first steps or words - milestones which help parents' monitor their infant's development.

"So much of the medical literature shows that the quality of decision making and diagnosis really depends on the amount of data that doctors have," Ms Kientz explained.

"Parents are busy, they have a lot going on in their life. Even though they have a lot of good intentions, the time between visits goes by very quickly."

Recording memories of a child's early days not only has sentimental value but also the practical use of tracking physical and cognitive pediatric health during the first year of life.