Need a PA but can’t afford one? One thing’s for clear – mums are busy people. That’s where the app store comes in.
There are a host of helpful apps to make your lives simpler, from organisational tools to bargain and budgeting apps.
These are our pick of the best.
The best apps for busy mums
My Fitness Pal
My Fitness Pal helps you manage your weight by keeping track of the food you eat. If you’re hoping to shift a bit of babyweight, then it’s a great way to lose a few pounds in a sensible way. It will also help you to stop reaching for quick-fix sugar hits after a less-than-good night’s sleep. The app calculates how many calories you need based on your height, weight, gender and lifestyle. It then allows you to count the calories you consume during the day using a huge database of foods and recipes.
Sleepbot
SleepBot is a sleep-cycle tracker that records your movement and sounds during the night. This information can help you understand and improve your disrupted-by-baby sleep habits. As soon as you wake, the app asks you to rate your sleep, and you can add your thoughts to describe how you’re feeling. SleepBot breaks down the statistics for each day and offers information and tools to help you get more sleep. You can even indicate how much sleep you want to get each night, and it will track whether you’re meeting that goal or are in deficit. Persuade your partner to download it too and you’ll finally have a definitive answer to the eternal morning discussion of who got more sleep last night…
AroundMe
Around Me shows you the location of a whole host of amenities, including the nearest coffee shop, public toilet and hospital – and tells you how to get there. If you’ve ever been in an unfamiliar town with a toddler who needs a wee, you’ll understand why you need this app now!
Accupedo
Accupedo is a pedometer that clocks the number of steps you take every time you move. When you see how your steps add up taking your tot to the park, running after him, and doing the weekly shop, it’s hugely motivating. The app translates that into calories burned and goads you into doing better.
Money Dashboard
Money Dashboard keeps details of all your current, credit card and savings accounts in one place, no matter who you bank with. It’s designed to help you be savvy with your cash. With all the expense a baby involves, this can help you budget. If you’re overspending on family food at Tesco or you need to cut back on sprees at Mothercare, this app will let you know!
Teux Deux
Teux Deux is a simple ‘to do’ list app and will help you keep track of all the stuff you need to get done as a busy mum. You can create day-based lists and, if you don’t get any tasks done, they will automatically be pushed to the next day’s list. You can also create custom lists that are not time sensitive. So, throw away all those scraps of paper – this app will keep all your must-do information in one place.
Headspace
Headspace helps you to meditate for 10 minutes a day. It’s designed to help you overcome stress, anxiety and ultimately become a calmer parent. Ten sessions, perfect to squeeze in during naptime, are delivered in a relaxed, no-nonsense style. It’s ideal if you’ve never tried meditation before. Celeb mums Fearne Cotton and Gwyneth Paltrow are both chilled-out fans of this little number and we reckon you could well become one too.
Total Baby
The Total Baby app helps you log and time all aspects of your child’s care, from doctor’s visits and vaccinations to milestones and allergies. With a baby’s seemingly ever-changing food and sleep routine, this really is a stress-busting app for busy mums.
NHS Direct
Have this app on hand when you’re worrying in the middle of the night about your little one. Linked directly to the NHS helpline, users can enter symptoms and see how to deal with minor illnesses. If you need more help, all you need to do is enter your details and a health professional will contact you if further treatment is advised.
TripIt
Organising a holiday can be one of the most stressful things to do as a mum and the last thing you need is mountains of paperwork to deal with when you’ve got your hands full. Enter TripIt, an all-in-one travel organiser where you can store everything from your itinerary and flight tickets to hotel reservations – all in one place.