Puzzles GR1 Analysis

Observations & Interviews

• First-time Parent

  • The interviewee is a first time father who is 30 years of age. He did not prepare for parenthood through reading books or taking a class, but has had experience with small children by helping raise his younger brother, 10 years his junior. He and the mother are the primary caregivers for the baby with help from grandparents from both sides of the family. The main avenue for information about the babies comes from principally from asking the grandparents for advice; otherwise, he will simply use Google. During the interview, he mentioned an instance where he went out to get diapers for the baby because they were running low. However, in the time that he was out, the mother came home and noticed the same issue and subsequently left to get more diapers as well. As a result, they each returned home with a new box of diapers. While having a second box was not a terrible issue as babies go through diapers quite quickly, it was an unnecessary waste of resources in the form of both time and money.

• First-time Single Parent

  • Mya is a 32 years old and a mother for the first time of a seven-month-old baby boy, Phil. She is a single mother and works all week. When she is working, she has a babysitter taking care of Phil. In order to prepare, as a first time parent, she read the baby bible and the great expectations parents guide. She did not do any additional preparation as she did not have the time because of work. When Phil was born, she says that nothing could have prepared her for the amount of work it takes to take care of a newborn. Additionally, she mentions that the mental state of parents after the birth may not necessarily be stable enough for best care of the baby; “The adjustment is overwhelming.” In terms of management, Mya replenishes the Phil’s supplies on a weekly basis by buying in bulk. Logistically, each day goes by without an actual plan. Phil is fed, bathed, and changed on a regular basis but there is not a set schedule on when this happens; it just does. Whenever Mya feels overwhelmed or can’t answer a question, she seeks help from online forums and relatives. She also uses an app that helps her remember when to feed Phil.

• Babysitter

  • The interviewee is 22 years old and takes care of a 6 month-old baby often for limited periods of time. The interviewee is not new to the role and responsibilities of babysitter. She performs the basic necessary functions, such as feeding, burping, and changing, but not all, e.g. bathing. As the aunt of the baby, she was alongside the mom through the course of pregnancy and noted that the only preparing the mom-to-be did was watching videos and researching the actual process of the birth. After the birth however, the mom actively takes note of small peculiar details. The interviewee notes "I have to give a full status report on poop," due to the new-mom's concern over the child's bowel movements which she reports to the doctor. Aside from the pediatrician, the main avenue for information on babies comes from the child's grandmother and aunt (interviewee's mother). In terms of management, the baby's mother finds it suffice to take a screenshot of her phone as a quick easy method of recording feeding, changing, or other relevant times.

User Classes

The spectrum of baby caretakers:

• First-time parents

  • new to the role of parenting
  • perform all the responsibilities of baby care-taking

• Experienced parents (e.g. second newborn)

  • experienced in the role of parenting (not their first time around, but they might be rusty)
  • perform all the responsibilities of baby care-taking

• Nannies & other caretakers

  • not in the role of parenting
  • perform some of the responsibilities of baby care-taking for limited periods of time

Needs & Goals

1. Effectively support the newborn’s needs.
2. Maintain healthy eating and sleeping habits for the baby.
3. Keep better track of essential supplies.
4. Keeping both parent and child healthy.