As Kate speaks out here are six helpful apps and podcasts for new mums
Being a new mum is stressful. Between round-the-clock feeds, disrupted sleep and fears that you’re ‘not doing it right’, it can be all too easy to feel overwhelmed.
It’s something that many mothers can relate to – even the Duchess of Cambridge. The parent-of-three has spoken out about the lack of information available for new mums in the first few years of their child’s development at the launch of a new BBC parenting resource, Tiny Happy People.
“In the first few months, there’s a huge amount of support from midwives and health visitors,” Kate said. “But from then onwards, there’s a massive gap before they then start school.
“Hearing some of the things from the parents today, Ryan at the beginning, saying how his baby has got five different cries . He’s learnt a huge amount from Tiny Happy People and it’s information like that I wish I had had as a first-time mum, but, for so many parents, it’s gold dust really for families to be given those tips and tools to be able to use, particularly in these first five years.”
The BBC’s Tiny Happy People initiative encourages parents to talk to children from as early an age as possible.
The website includes a range of online resources including parenting tips, films, articles and quizzes to help parents and carers to boost their child’s communication skills.
Thanks to tech like Tiny Happy People, it’s becoming easier for parents to access the information they need. Here are a handful of other essential parenting apps and tools that all new mums can benefit from downloading.
1. Baby+
This helpful all-in-one app can help you to stay organised with trackers that can log nappy changes, feeds and naps, if you’re trying to get into a routine.
There’s also lots of bite-sized information too, like after-birth recovery tips, parenting guides, breastfeeding videos and week-by-week updates on your baby’s development.
2. Peanut
Arguably one of the hardest elements of motherhood is feeling like you’re facing it alone, especially if you’re the first parent in your friendship group.
Peanut makes it easy to meet, chat and learn from like-minded women in your area. Whether you simply find a group of new mums to join for a coffee morning or you find a whole new BBF through the network, it’s a great way to build a support network around you.
3. BabyTime
If you’re a fan of data, this app will be a valuable resource. BabyTime helps you track nursing, bottle, sleep, nappies and pumping all from a single screen with one tap, then view all the info in one chart so that you can spot trends.
4. Ask the Midwife
Feeling in control of your parenting journey starts with pregnancy, but Google can make searching for any new symptoms an anxiety-inducing experience.
Ask The Midwife is a start-up app that provides online, on-demand health advice from registered midwives. Instead of turning to ‘Dr Google’, the app offers fast, responsive and trustworthy advice that can supplement your normal midwifery support.
5. Birth Stories in Color
Your experience of labour stays with you far longer than when you’ve left the hospital – and as a new mum you may need time to process and come to terms with it.
Birth Stories in Color is a podcast for black women to share their birthing experiences – celebrating, mourning with and supporting new mums through weekly storytelling episodes.
Podcasts hosts Laurel Gourrier and Danielle Jackson say that listening to real birth stories is the best way to discover the expected and unexpected parts of the journey, and there are dozens to listen to in their archive.
6. Motherkind Podcast
Stress and worry is an unavoidable part of being a parent, but there are ways that you can make the job easier on your mental health.
The Motherkind Podcast, hosted by Motherkind founder and coach Zoe Blaskey, seeks out some of the best wellbeing teachers in the world, helping you to find your happy place amongst the chaos.
Previous guests include Madeline Shaw, Bryony Gordon, Dr Gabor Maté and Dr Kristin Neff, who help Blaskey to dive into topics ranging from self-care and mental health, to careers and nutrition.
Image: Kensington Palace/PA
