"Nobody ever said being a mom was easy. And if they did, they are wrong! Whether you’re a working mom, stay-at-home-mom, or a combination of the two, we could all use some extra help.
Figuring out feeding schedules, navigating nap time, tackling to-do lists, and keeping your baby entertained — it can be overwhelming! Even the most on-top-of-it-all mom could use a bit of technology to keep things running smoothly.
And that’s where apps come in.
My phone is filled with apps, and before having a baby, I was pretty firmly rooted in the “free” app camp. It took a lot for me to spend money on an app. Now that I’m a mom, I’m happy to drop a few dollars on apps that will help me out.
There are thousands of apps that claim to make your life easier. It can be a challenge to figure out which ones you actually need. Today we’re sharing nine apps, a mix of free and paid, that are particularly helpful to moms of newborns and beyond.
1. For Tracking It All: BabyConnect
When youâre in the hospital, youâre likely writing down each feeding time with pen and paper. Once youâre home, youâll quickly realize this system is not sufficient, not to mention all the other things you’ll want to track. BabyConnect helps you track feedings, naps, dirty diapers, activities, milestones, and more. At a glance, you can see all of the important data. You can review stats from the day, week, or since birth (and learn fun things like that I’ve nursed my 5 month old 1,151 times â woah). If your partner, nanny, or childcare also downloads the app, you can share data and always be up-to-date on the latest.
Cost: $4.99 (one-time fee)
2. To Understand Baby’s Development: Wonder Weeks
Does your baby seem extra fussy and clingy today? Maybe they are going through a âleap.â The Wonder Weeks app (based on the The Wonder Weeks book) explains the developmental phases your baby is going through based on their due date. The app shares when a leap is happening, what your baby is learning during it, and how their behavior may be impacted. Turn notifications on or link it with your calendar so youâll know when a leap is coming up. Fun fact: some leaps last many weeks. Have fun with that!
Cost: $3.99 (one-time fee)
3. For Photo Organizing: Gemini Photos
44,457 â thatâs how many photos are on my phone. Iâm not sure if I should be embarrassed or proud. When youâre trying to snap a pic of your kid, itâs easy to take 30 pictures until you get THE picture. If you’re like me, the other 29 blurry, crooked, crying-baby photos sit cluttering up your phone. The Gemini app sifts through your photos, suggests the best one from the group, and allows you to easily mass-delete the not-so-great shots.
Cost: $2.99+ per month depending on selected features
4. To Keep Baby Active: Baby Sparks
How do you entertain and encourage development with your baby? It can be difficult to figure this out! Baby Sparks to the rescue. This app teaches you meaningful ways to play with your baby to support their development. Each day youâll receive a customized program with age-appropriate activities that encourages reaching developmental milestones, all while your baby has fun bonding with mom and dad. Suggested activities foster growth with gross motor skills, fine motor skills, sensory and cognitive development, and more.
Cost: $3.99+ per month or $37.99 for lifetime access
5. To Find Your Mom Squad: Peanut
Motherhood can be lonely. Connect with other moms via the Peanut app and feel less alone. Think Tinder but for mom friends. Use Peanut to find like-minded moms in your area, chat, arrange meet ups, join local groups, ask questions, and join community conversations.
Cost: Free
6. For Better Sleep: Huckleberry
Any new mom knows that sleep is precious. They also know itâs hard to come by. The Huckleberry app helps you to understand your childâs natural rhythms. The app can predict the optimal nap time and can provide expert analysis and guidance with the premium membership.
Basic: Free / Premium $14.99 a month
7. For the Digital and Shareable Baby Book: Tinybeans
Instead of having your mother continuously ask you for the latest photos of baby, stay one step ahead with Tinybeans. Use the app to upload photos to a shared calendar, add captions, answer prompts to give more color to the story, and then invite family and friends to view the album.
Basic: Free / Premium: $7.99 a month
8. To Avoid Leaving the House: Amazon Prime
Honestly, if you are a mom and donât have Amazon Prime, hats off to you. How do you do it? I love a leisurely stroll through the aisles of Target as much as the next person, but time is precious, and if I can avoid a trip to the store in favor of delivery, I’m going to do it. Amazon Prime is a paid subscription service that allows you to quickly order almost anything, delivered free, usually in one to two days. Stock up on diapers, wipes, clothes, baby bottles, soap â I could go on, but you get the picture. Quickly order whatever you need off the app in just a couple of quick clicks and keep your household running smoothly.
Cost: $119 per year