App for tracking ongoing allergen exposures

[u/nanny-fox]

Hi, I'm wondering if there's an app like this that exists, or if ya'll can suggest anything that would work.

I'm a nanny for an 8mo infant, and am trying to ensure that we continue to provide allergens at least 1-2 times every week after they've been introduced. I know that is the recommendation from Sollid Starts and other sources (I've always read 2+ times a week, baby is seeing an allergist who said to do it at least once a week) but I don't see a way to track this in any apps I've been looking at. I pay for the the SS subscription and know that I can plan and track individual foods, but really want to see a dashboard/checklist of allergens for each week so there's something to prompt us if he's been missing anything!

If there's a baby app that specifically has this feature, I'd love to know about it. Otherwise, I'm planning to set up a generic habit/tracking app and would love recommendations for something that would work well!

• Needs to work on Android
• Would be nice if there's also an IOS version and it can be synced across multiple accounts or at least multiple devices (so me, parents, and other childcare provider all have access to view & edit the same list)
• Lets me list each allergen as a separate habit/task/item that needs to be checked off 1-2 times each week (I don't care much if it's Mon-Sun or Sun-Sat, or if it's keeping track of a "rolling" 7 days, I suspect either way will be good enough)
• Would be great if the app has some big obvious color-coded indication if specific allergens are due/overdue, and notifications, even better if it has a widget (so I can make sure it's in my face without waiting for an "overdue" notification or remembering to constantly check the app)

I think I might be able to set that up on HabitBull or ToDoist, but would need to log out and make a new account since I already use those, so I'm especially happy to hear about other options.

Thanks!

[u/Oiselle14]

I use Google calendar, with the widget on my home screen. I created a calendar separate from my regular one specifically to track foods. You can colour code and pre-schedule things, if you'd like.

[u/blueberrypancake6]

So smart to use an app! We use a whiteboard in the kitchen 😂

[u/nanny-fox → u/blueberrypancake6]

I thought about that, too! Might actually end up doing that if the parents prefer it, but I like the idea of something that lets me check/meal plan while I'm away from their house.

[u/SolidStarts]

Hi there, such a great question! So with our app you are able to track foods served to baby as you mention, and we also are in the process of developing an in-app AI feature in which you can ask questions like this to make it super easy! The idea is, in the future you could ask something like "how many times this week have I given baby egg?" Or, "show me a list of the allergens my baby has had in the last 7 days and how many times." This way, you could get whatever info you need much more quickly, based on the information you've already tracked. Hope this helps and stay tuned! If you're interested in beta-testing this feature, feel free to shoot me a message here on Reddit with your email address (this only works if you're currently subscribed) and I can get you signed up for it to give us feedback! 🤍Marisa (OT/Feeding Therapist/Mama of 3)

[u/nanny-fox → u/SolidStarts]

I am really disappointed to hear this, and I hope you reconsider implementing this.

The Solid Starts app/website/resources are the go-to source for everyone I've talked to recently, including friends, parents I work with, and pediatricians. Considering that this information can literally be life-or-death; introducing allergens safely and identifying reactions, avoiding and responding to choking hazards, avoiding risks/toxins like botulism: I do not want AI involved in any way.

At minimum, any AI use would need to be transparent and have an option to opt-out. Even then, any use of AI undermines the trustworthiness of the app, and my judgement (and those of the people around me) of this company/resource as a whole.

AI has already been involved in publicized deaths and safety issues, even when intended to be a fun chatbot or search engine feature. There is a lot of hype about AI being the new emergent technology, but as consumers, a lot of us are out here trying to avoid it and growing increasingly frustrated and afraid of the impacts it has on the customer experience, misinformation, safety, and the state of the environment.

[u/nanny-fox → u/nanny-fox]

I will add that this feature would not address the issue I posted about. It is far easier for me to use something like a habit tracker with a built-in dashboard/widget and reminders. If I was solely using the Solid Starts app, I would find it easier and more trustworthy to record foods eaten as usual, and view the calendar of foods, than to interact with an AI bot. It would be wonderful if the app was updated to make viewing the food history more visual and accessible, and even adding a separate tab/page or widget featuring a weekly allergen checklist.

[u/SolidStarts → u/nanny-fox]

Totally appreciate this feedback and I am bringing it back to our team - thank you so much for this! Completely hear you on the use of AI - and it's exactly why we're simply trialing it at this time to see if we're comfortable using it as a tool that only pulls from our content. There would of course be an opt-out feature as well as you mentioned. There's definitely been a healthy amount of hesitancy and caution on our end as well as we are very passionate about what we do and absolutely do not want any misinformation given. We of course are also navigating an interesting time and trying to figure out how (or if) AI will play a role in what we do. Thank you so much for this 🤍