Ultimate Guide to Baby Growth Tracking: Create an iOS Shortcut for Weekly Insights with ChatGPT
Becoming a parent is a journey filled with excitement, anticipation, and a whole lot of love. As an engineer, I wanted to combine my technical skills with this new chapter of my life by creating an iOS shortcut that would not only track my baby’s growth during pregnancy but also provide weekly updates after birth. This article will walk you through my experience and the steps I took to build this iOS shortcut.
Introduction
Recently, we welcomed our baby into the world. During the pregnancy, I developed an iOS shortcut to compute our child’s age in the womb, generate a weekly message about his development, and send it to my wife every Wednesday at noon. After our child’s birth, I updated the shortcut to continue sending personalized weekly messages about his growth and needs. Here’s how I did it.
Step-by-Step Guide to Building the Shortcut
Step 1: Prerequisites
- The Shortcuts App: The Shortcuts app requires iOS 12 or later. It was first introduced with iOS 12, allowing users to create custom shortcuts using a visual scripting interface. For the best experience and access to the latest features, it’s recommended to use the latest iOS version compatible with your device.
- ChatGPT app: download ChatGPT then create or login to your account is order to be able to have access to the function “Ask GPT” from the Shortcuts App.
Step 2: Create the Shortcut
1. Open the Shortcuts App:
— Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.
2. Create a New Shortcut:
— Tap the “+” button in the top right corner to create a new shortcut.
— Name the shortcut “Child’s Growth”.
3. Calculate Duration Between Dates:
— Add the action `Get Time Between Dates`.
— Set the start date to Day/Month/Year (Child’s birth date).
— Set the end date to `Current Date`.
— Set the unit to `Weeks`.
4. Ask ChatGPT:
— Add the action `Text`.
— Enter the following text: “Give me useful information about a baby who is [Time Between Dates] weeks old. You need to help me in the development of my son. Speak as if you are my son addressing his mom.”
— Replace `[Time Between Dates]` with the variable from the previous step.
- Add the action `ChatGPT`.
— Set the input to the text from the previous step.
— Set the chat type to `Dynamic`.
5. Send Message:
— Add the action `Send Message`.
— Use the result from the `ChatGPT` action as the message content.
— Set the recipient to your wife’s phone number.
6. Automate the Shortcut:
— Go to the `Automation` tab in the Shortcuts app.
— Tap the “+” button to create a new automation.
— Select `Create Personal Automation`.
— Choose `Time of Day` and set it to Wednesday at noon.
— Add your shortcut (“Child’s Growth”) as the action to run at this time.
Example: Weekly Message
Here is an example of what a weekly message might look like:
During pregnancy:
Hi Mom! Today I’m 34 weeks old. In this cozy and dark world, I’m growing slowly but surely. At 34 weeks, I’m almost ready to make my grand entrance into this bright and noisy world. My body has reached an impressive size, weighing around 2.2 kilograms and measuring nearly 45 centimeters from head to toe. My little lungs are preparing to breathe fresh air, practicing by inhaling and exhaling the amniotic fluid that has protected me all these weeks.
My senses are developing rapidly. My eyes, though still closed, can detect light filtering through Mom’s belly, and my ears pick up the familiar sounds of her voice and her heartbeat, giving me a sense of security and connection. I can even recognize some outside voices that make their way through the vibrations of Mom’s belly.
My nervous system continues to perfect itself, my muscles are getting stronger, and my reflexes are becoming more precise. I move a lot, turning and twisting, thus preparing my muscles and joints for the challenges to come. Sometimes, I even give a few well-placed kicks to let Mom know that I’m here, alive and full of energy.
At this stage, I’m starting to accumulate fat under my skin, making me look less wrinkled and chubbier. My body is becoming more and more suited to life outside Mom’s belly. My brain is developing rapidly, absorbing every new sensory experience and preparing to learn and grow once I’m born.
In a few weeks, I’ll make my entrance into this world, ready to explore, learn, and love. But for now, I’ll enjoy these last moments in the comfort and safety of Mom’s belly, where I am perfectly sheltered and loved. Kisses! 😘🐣
Once born !
Hi Mom!
I’m your child and I’m 2 weeks old now. Here’s what you need to know to help me grow healthy:
Feeding: I need to eat every 2–3 hours, whether it’s breast milk or formula. Breast milk is perfect for me because it contains all the nutrients I need.
Sleep: I sleep a lot, about 16–18 hours a day. Make sure I sleep on my back in a safe place without objects like blankets or pillows.
Diapers: I wet about 6–8 diapers a day and have several bowel movements. It’s a good sign that I’m eating well.
Umbilical Cord Care: My belly button needs to stay clean and dry. Let it air out as much as possible and avoid covering it with my diaper.
Interactions: Even though I’m small, I recognize your voice and smell. Talk to me often and look me in the eyes. It helps me feel safe and develop my social skills.
Growth: I’m growing quickly, so don’t worry if I gain weight or grow fast. Have me weighed and measured regularly at the pediatrician.
Skin Care: My skin is sensitive, so use gentle products to wash me and protect me from irritation.
Well-being Signs: If I cry, it’s my way of telling you I need something: to eat, to be changed, or just a cuddle.
Thank you for taking such loving care of me. I love you, Mom!
Your child
Conclusion
Creating this iOS shortcut was a rewarding experience that combined my technical expertise with the joy of parenthood. It not only helped me stay connected with my wife during the pregnancy but also continues to provide us with delightful updates about our child’s growth. I hope this guide inspires you to create your own personalized shortcuts to celebrate and cherish the special moments in your life. While I developed this shortcut for iOS, there are similar tools like Tasker or Automate for Android that can help you achieve the same functionality. With these apps, you can set up automated messages and reminders for weekly baby updates.
Final Thoughts
Integrating technology into everyday life can enhance our experiences and bring us closer to the ones we love. Whether you’re an engineer or just someone curious about iOS shortcuts, this project shows how simple automations can make a big difference. Happy coding, and congratulations if you’re expecting or have just welcomed a little one into your family!
