Creating a modern baby book app that seamlessly works across iOS, Android, Mac and web platforms
The Challenge
Baby Notebook approached us to develop a modern alternative to traditional baby books — a digital solution that would allow new parents to easily document their baby's first year. They needed an app that would:
- Create a unified user experience across iOS, Android and macOS platforms
- Support a growing user base of over 250,000 parents
- Provide timely reminders relevant to the baby's age
- Allow for seamless photo uploads and documentation of milestones
- Facilitate easy printing of a physical baby book at the end of year one
- Ensure data security and privacy for family information and baby photos
- Simplify the often overwhelming process of creating a baby book
Our Solution
We delivered a comprehensive cross-platform solution that transformed the traditional baby book experience into a convenient digital format with physical output. Our approach included:
Architecture
- Cross-platform React Native codebase with platform-specific optimizations
- Modular architecture allowing for code reuse across platforms
- Cloud-based storage system for securely saving photos and milestone data
- Responsive UI design that adapts to different screen sizes and orientations
- Backend architecture that scales automatically with growing user base
Development Process
- Comprehensive UI/UX design tailored for busy parents
- React Native for shared core functionality across all platforms
- Custom notification system with personalized weekly reminders
- Automated CI/CD pipeline for consistent quality and rapid deployment
- Extensive testing with real parent users
Key Features
- Structured Chapters: Organized sections including Pregnancy, Family, Home, and monthly milestones
- Customizable Notifications: User-scheduled weekly reminders at convenient days and times
- Easy Photo Upload: Seamless in-the-moment photo documentation
- Flexible Page Management: Ability to replace or hide pages to customize the final book
- Free Access Model: First three chapters available for free with subscription options for the full experience
The Results
Our cross-platform solution revolutionized how parents document their baby's first year and family moments. The app has been well-received, with significant user engagement and positive feedback. Key metrics include:
- User Growth: User base expanded to over 250,000 parents
- Platform Diversity: Successful adoption across iOS and Android with macOS support
- User Engagement: High weekly active user rates driven by the customized notification system
- Print Conversion: Strong conversion rate from app users to printed book customers
- App Store Ratings: Maintained 4.8+ star ratings with reviews highlighting the app's ease of use
- Social Media Growth: Thriving Instagram community of parent users sharing their experiences
Client Testimonial
The AH2 team delivered a solution that truly understood the pain points of new parents. They created an intuitive app that works flawlessly across all platforms and transforms the overwhelming task of baby book creation into simple weekly moments. Their expertise in React Native development and their attention to UI/UX details resulted in an application that has become essential for over a quarter-million parents.
Technologies Used
- Frontend: React Native, Expo, TypeScript, Styled Components
- Backend: Node.js, TypeScript, Express, GraphQL, DynamoDB
- Infrastructure: AWS, Amplify, S3, CloudFront, Lambda, Cognito, CloudWatch, AppSync, Docker, ECS, Fargate
- DevOps: GitHub Actions, Fastlane, EAS, Bitrise
- Analytics: Firebase Analytics, Looker Studio
- Notifications: Expo Push Notifications, Firebase Cloud Messaging
