Gareth Rees

My wife and I had our 3rd baby recently. People keep asking, “getting enough sleep?” Yes! I am. Because I’m super-systemized about this stage of a kid’s life. I want to enjoy it. Here’s a list of non-obvious things that helped me with all my babies’ sleep and my general enjoyment of this time of their lives. 1. SLEEP TRAINING I start sleep training the FIRST DAY the newborn gets home. If your baby doesn’t sleep through the night you’ll hate life, parenting, your spouse, etc. And the baby will be in agony. I follow the book Cherish the First 6 Weeks because I like its schedule for feeding, sleeping, etc. I used it on all 3 boys. My current baby is less than 1 month old and only wakes up once (at about 2am) for a feeding. But use ANY book or method you like. The important thing is to work on sleep early. Don’t end up like some of my friends who have 5-year-olds who don’t sleep properly. amazon.com/dp/B008ZPG67S?… 2. SNOO This is a new addition. I helped my first 2 kids sleep at night by gently rocking them in my arms. When they were quiet, I stopped rocking and held them. When they cried, I got back to rocking. Eventually, when they were nearly asleep, I put them in their bassinetts. That exercise could easily last for over an hour some nights. The Snoo does all that automatically. It listens. It rocks when they cry. And it works through the night. happiestbaby.com/products/snoo-… 3. SIMPLE SWADDLE Last night, my baby was crying. I swaddled him. He instantly stopped. It doesn’t usually work that fast, but wrapping a baby in a blanket keeps their arms from flailing around, which calms them. It also helps them stay asleep by softening the Moro/startle reflex. Hospital swaddles and those frilly things people buy you are a pain to use, esp when you’re tired. I have a set from aden + anais. It uses velcro. I could use it in under 10 seconds, in the middle of the night. But get ANY swaddle you like and that you can use blindfolded. amazon.com/dp/B08X8WMVLD?… 4. ACTION CAMERA The best moments in your child’s life don’t happen after you take your phone out. They’re random. Action cameras can capture them. I can keep my action camera running for an hour or two while hanging with the kids. If something good happens, I save the footage. If not, I delete. I captured my kids learning to ride bikes, swim, etc. But the less monumental times are equally important, like fun conversations on long car rides. I’m currently using the Insta360 Go 3, because it’s so versatile, but I also love the DJI Action line. (Avoid GoPro. It’s unreliable and chews batteries.) store.insta360.com/product/go-3 5. CARRIER I hate strollers. They feel like lugging a wheelie bag through a city. I prefer backpacks when I travel. That’s why I also prefer carriers to strollers. I strap the kid on my body and move around more easily. Plus I find it makes me closer to my kid. I’ve bought many Beco Gemini Baby Carriers for myself and my friends, but get anything that feels comfortable to you. amazon.com/dp/B01B1YPCDS?…

I love a Freedom of Information request. I also love not sending an FOI request. As a data journalist, sometimes it’s easier to go digging through published data for the story rather than using FOI, especially if what y... clairemiller.net/2024/10/more-d…

What are 4 Keys to Effective Data Visualisation: 1. Understand Your Audience 2. Choose the Right Visualisation Type 3. Keep it Simple 4. Use Colour Wisely Learn more: clairemiller.net/2024/02/four-k…

I just uploaded a new podcast with @jasonfried and he shared: - how to build "weird" software people love - 2+ free startup ideas (yes, take 'em!) - why your next app should have "open hours" - cozy software and what that means for you Notes below: 1) The "Scratch-off Ad" app idea • Full-screen ad you scratch off with your finger • Blow into mic to clear "dust" • Chance to win prizes/coupons • Global, once-a-day experience • Can build with a small team • Would print if you nail virality 2) "Shower Door Sketch" app concept • Simulates drawing on steamy shower glass • Ephemeral canvas that fogs up & clears • Add shower sounds for immersion • Screenshot to save ideas • Perfect for creative brainstorming 3) How do you bring real-world experiences to digital • This is a product insight that brings endless startup ideas • Leverage mystery, surprise, uncertainty • Create moments that can't be replicated • Tap into universal human experiences "There's some sort of deeper universal things to tap into here." - @jasonfried 4) The power of limitations in software • Time-based experiences (HQ Trivia). Underrated app. • Visit-once websites • Apps with "open hours" • Creates scarcity & increases perceived value 5) Is the hobbyist ethos missing in modern software? • Early internet had more quirky, fun projects • Less focus on monetization, more on exploration • Need for "weirder" apps and experiences Challenge: How can we make the internet more weird? 6) Cozy software is the new software movement to track • Make apps feel warm, comfortable • Contrast to clinical, cold modern design • Focus on user experience & delight Goal: Create software people genuinely enjoy using It was an absolute treat chatting with @jasonfried. And super cool to be able to listen back to this. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Please tag software you love in this thread. I'd be curious. Next tweet I'll include full links to the podcast.

Last week we spoke to journalist @toledoluizf about investigating deforestation using open data sources. You can find the full podcast episode live now on streaming services under 'Stage Talks with Bellingcat' or listen back on our YouTube here: youtube.com/watch?v=-u4Ho_…