They say it takes a village to raise a child, and they’re not wrong. While you likely don’t have a village to help, there are plenty of useful apps to fill in those gaps. From pregnancy trackers (you know the ones that’ll let you know when your baby is the size of a melon) to post-partum apps that track diapers, feedings, sleep, and more, there are tons of options out there.
We’ve downloaded more than we would like to admit and sorted through the best pregnancy and parenting apps, so you don’t have to. We’ve checked which ones pack the most helpful features, are easy-to-use, personalize, and sync. So when your hormones are surging and you’re sleep-deprived, you can pull out your phone and still stay on top of everything like the multitasking Supermom we know you are.
The Best Apps While Pregnant
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All-in-One Pregnancy Trackers
Baby Center
This is one of the best overall apps with a lot of the main features you would expect to track your pregnancy, plus fertility calendars to conceive and growth trackers for after your baby is born. Where it really shines, though, is its pre-natal tools. It lets you see 3D images of your baby’s development and get week-by-week details about your pregnancy. You can even track kicks and, later on, contractions. It also has a super helpful knowledge library, educational videos, and active forums where you can chat with other moms. It’s available for both iOS and Android devices.
The Bump
The Bump’s app has a really easy-to-use interface. Each day, it provides expert advice, and those ever-popular “your baby is the size of a…” comparisons. Combine this with their growing mom community, baby name guides, interactive 3D baby growth models, and parent perks, and it definitely rises to the top of the list. If you’re looking for an all-inclusive app, this is it. It has a 4.8 out of 5.0 rating in the Apple App Store and is also available for Android devices.
Photo Credit: Sprout Pregnancy
Sprout Pregnancy
Apple and Time Magazine have recognized this as a top pregnancy app. Known for its detailed tracking abilities and realistic 3D interaction, Sprout Pregnancy has the expert articles, checklists, and tools you want. Some highlights are their detailed pregnancy journal and visual birth plan, along with the subscription option for pre-natal exercise classes. While the app only includes a 1-week free trial of their premium service, many moms choose to upgrade. It’s available for both iOS and Android.
What to Expect
Much like its website, What to Expect’s pregnancy, and baby tracker app is filled with pops of bright color and a visually appealing interface. It includes tools like 3D renderings, your baby’s week-by-week development, daily tips, baby names, and a guide to your body changes. One of the app’s best features is its extensive social network, so you connect with moms due in the same month as you. We also love that it lets you compare your baby’s size to ’80s and ‘90s nostalgia or movie props, in addition to the typical fruit comparisons that many other apps offer. Download for free on iOS or Android devices.
Medical & Wellness Resources
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WebMD Pregnancy
Nothing is a replacement for seeing a doctor, but the WebMD Pregnancy app is a great place to turn when you want more medical information in between visits. Included are appointment trackers, an A-Z pregnancy glossary, and an “Ask My Doctor” feature filled with helpful questions for you and your partner to ask during pre-natal doctor visits. The app also offers 3D details of your own organs alongside your baby’s development, providing a more medically comprehensive rendering than most. It’s available for free only on iOS devices.
MommyMeds
Being sick while pregnant is never fun, but it’s often complicated by the list of medicines you cannot take. If you can’t reach your doctor and need help navigating which medication is safe or unsafe while pregnant, this is the app you need to download. It allows you to quickly scan a barcode while in-store or to search by medication name, and it’ll let you know if it is safe to take. The app also features a symptom checker along with pregnancy-safe treatments available. Available for download on iOS and Android.
Expectful
If you are looking for a meditation app explicitly geared for pregnant women, this is it. Their comprehensive library has guided meditation for wherever you are in your pregnancy journey, from fertility to parenting. The app lets you choose from a 5, 10, or 20-minute session. Available with a free trial then for a monthly fee on iOS or Android.
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Down Dog – Pre-natal Yoga
Pre-natal yoga is one of the best exercises you can practice, so it’s no wonder there is an app for that too. If you’re looking for easy on-the-go routines to follow, check out Down Dog for workouts targeted to each trimester. We love how customizable it is with multilingual and voice options, along with modified and body-targeted sessions. Available with an in-app subscription on iOS and Android devices.
Apps that Get Your Partner Involved
PregLife
If you’re interested in an app that involves both you and your partner, Preglife is a good choice. This app is filled with helpful information about your baby’s development and practical to-dos for both you and your partner. From testing driving routes to the hospital to how to put in a car seat, there’s a lot of great prep to get you both baby-ready. It’s available for both iOS and Android.
ProDaddy
Is there a Dad in the picture? Great, time to get him more involved in the process, and the ProDaddy app is the perfect place to start. It offers week-by-week tips, tasks, and expert advice, all focused on equal parenting. It speaks his language while covering vital topics like paternity leave and promises to turn him into a pro in no time. Download for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Photo Credit: Amina Filkins, Pexels
Help with Naming Your Baby
Babyname
Not too jazzed about naming your baby after your grandmother? This app is just what you need to take the stress out of naming your little one. Rather than perusing names online, Babyname tells you the meaning and origin behind 30,000 unique names. Invite your partner and swipe right on your favorites to get the maximum benefit from this Tinder-like app. It’s available for iOS and Android.
Best Apps Once Baby is Here
All-in-One Baby Trackers
Glow Baby
Analytic nerds will love Glow Baby. This app does everything from keeping track of feedings, diaper surprises, pumping sessions, and sleep times. Best yet, it presents it all on an easy-to-read calendar with infographics and charts to let you find the data patterns quickly. You can also share access with your partner and let them check out the summaries in real-time. It’s free to download on iOS and Android with in-app purchases for its premium service.
Sprout Baby
This app makes it easy to record your baby’s developmental milestones, along with all the daily tracking info and a helpful nursing timer. Best of all, you can turn your notes and logs into a printable PDF to bring along with you to pediatrician appointments. It doesn’t require any login, so you’re ready to use this app as soon as it’s downloaded. 1-week free trial available for iOS only.
Developmental Tracking & Activities
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The Wonder Weeks
This is one of the most popular baby apps out there. Its minimal aesthetic is super calming yet intuitive. By tracking baby milestones, it helps identify developmental leaps, so you gain insight into their world. With this app, you’ll no longer wonder if your baby is on track; its helpful guides give you a range of when to expect your baby to reach certain milestones or gain new skills, so you’re always well informed. It’s available for purchase on iOS and Android devices.
BabySparks
This app has most of the fundamental baby tracking features you’d expect, but its parent-child activity program is where it really stands out. BabySparks is full of developmental activities for newborns to three-year-olds. It not only helps you figure out how to engage your little one with meaningful play but also lets you know what’s happening with your baby’s brain while doing one of the suggested activities. Available with in-app purchases for iOS and Android.
KidPass
Once you are ready to venture out, KidPass can be really helpful for finding local classes that build your child’s development and help you both bond. From baby music classes to mommy-and-me yoga sessions, tons of activities are available for kids from ages 0-18. They also offer online courses and allow you to easily manage your child’s schedule. It’s free to download for iOS and Android, with an upgraded membership available for purchase to apply class credits.
Baby Medical Resources
Photo Credit: Blueberry Pediatrics
Blueberry Pediatrics
If you’re looking for peace of mind in those off-hours when you can’t reach your pediatrician, this app is a close second choice. It offers parents 24/7 access to MDs who can answer pressing medical questions and even send in prescriptions if needed. Consider it an urgent care in your pocket for those middle-of-the-night emergencies. The app is free to download for iOS and Android but costs a membership fee, which equates to much less than your typical doctor co-pays.
WebMD Baby
Much like its pregnancy app that we reviewed earlier, this app is chockful of helpful resources. It includes tons of helpful medical information related to your baby, written and approved by doctors. This app will answer your health questions about caring for your newborn and keep you updated on your baby’s development for the first two years of life. It is available on both iOS and Android platforms.
Post-Partum Care for Moms
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Poppy Seed Health
This newer app gives recent moms access to on-demand doulas, midwives, and nurses. It’s beneficial for post-partum questions and lets you know that nothing is too taboo or off-limits. In addition to its live help function, it features a resource hub filled with personalized advice and educational articles. We also appreciate its focus on raising awareness and supporting those who have suffered loss or miscarriages. Poppy Seed Health is available on iOS and Android devices.
Peanut
If you’re looking to connect with other moms going through similar things as you, Peanut is the app you need. It takes the awkwardness out of forced mommy-and-me socializing and allows you to connect with other moms on your own terms. You can chat with local moms or join a group, read other moms’ blogs, or even write your own. Find your own community on iOS or Android.