Whether you’re trying for a baby or are already pregnant, there are a whole range of pregnancy apps that are incredibly useful.

In such tech-savvy times, you can find out anything you need to know simply with the click of a button. The World Wide Web is full to the brim with vast sources of information and you’d be mad not to take advantage of it.

There are hundreds of apps available on the market to download straight to your Smartphone, as well as your iPad or iPod. Some show detailed images of how a baby develops and grows; others guide you on what to pack in your hospital bag- the world really is your oyster.

But with so much information and knowledge at your fingertips, how do you choose which app to use?



Here are our top 3 pregnancy apps that are highly recommended:

• Pregnancy App

“This app was an absolute godsend when I found out I was pregnant. I couldn’t have got through my pregnancy without it! I loved being able to compare the baby’s size to fruit.”

This pregnancy application was created by Health & Parenting Ltd to give parents a comprehensive guide during the whole pregnancy.

It has a step-by-step guide to each week so you can imagine how your baby will look at week 12 and week 42. It guides you on how long your baby has grown, how much it weighs and it has a daily tip which comes in handy.

There are action plans so you can set yourself goals and the size guide is great because you can tell your friends and family exactly how big the baby is in comparison to food; whether it is equivalent to the size of a blueberry or a peach!

Find out your due date and then work out your baby’s star sign, and get super organised with the timeline chart. It is really helpful so you know when you should be having blood tests, dating scans and when you can find out the gender.

But that’s not it- the app is really supportive in that it offers advice on food, exercise, labour and a birth plan. Keep track of all your doctor’s visits and midwife appointments, and when you go into labour, you can even time your contractions.

You can find the Pregnancy App here

• Emma’s Diary

“This app was great for later pregnancy. I could find out all the medical information I needed on giving birth and the checklists were extremely handy when it came to packing mine and the baby’s hospital bags.”

This application is free to download and is really useful, especially in the third and final trimester of your pregnancy.

You can track your pregnancy week by week, upload images to the photo journal and you can have access to detailed information on preconception, pregnancy, giving birth, and specific advice on a 0-6 and 7-18 month old baby. So if you want to know about breastfeeding or food no-no’s this will definitely help.

Better still, you can download some Emma’s Diary vouchers and pick up three free gift packs for ‘bump to baby’, ‘mum-to-be’ and ‘new family’, as well as £200 of Argos money-off vouchers.

There is a product guide to help you make those important purchases of baby essentials, and extra features include an ovulation calculator and some handy checklists.

You can get the Emma’s Diary App here

• Baby Names by Bounty

“My husband and I just couldn’t agree on a name for our little girl. The app was really helpful because it was right there on my phone and saved carrying around a big heavy book. I really liked that it gave the meaning of the name because it helped us to come up with something extra special.”

When it comes to deciding a name for your unborn child, this app is extremely helpful. Whether you are having a boy or a girl, the database is second to none with over 400,000 additions in 2011 alone.

It has some of the most popular names around as well as their meanings and origin to help you pick the perfect name, but it also has more obscure names if you are looking for something a little bit different.



Download it for free and use the Top 100 and A-Z lists if you are struggling for inspiration, and if you still can’t think of a name, just shake your phone for a random suggestion.

Even if you know the name of your baby already, you can search for middle names and you can get regular updates on the latest baby name news.

For example, in April 2013 the top girls’ names were Amelia, Olivia, Ava and Isla and the top boys’ names were Jack, Oliver, Harry, Charlie and Jacob.

Get the app here

So there you have the top three pregnancy apps for all mum’s-to-be. They really are must-have tools for anyone expecting. Keep track of everything that is happening to you and get expert advice from reputable parenting resources.

That’s not to say that these apps are the only ones that can help you. Just check out your App store and find one that is right for you and your bump!

Now obviously all pregnancy apps, as well as the ones mentioned above, are mostly for fun so if you do have any concerns or questions about your pregnancy, make sure you discuss them with your midwife or local GP.

The sun is shining, the birds are tweeting and everyone is flocking to the seaside. It can only mean one thing, summer is here!

(Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Do you love music? There are various festivals taking place this year throughout the UK and better still, many of them are child-friendly. That means you don’t have to get a babysitter to look after your little rugrat; and you don’t have to feel guilty about leaving them at home whilst you let your hair down.

Here is Born Gifted’s round-up of the best festivals suitable for kids. Find out everything you need to know on where the best concerts are, as well as planning tips.

Top 5 Family-Friendly Festivals for 2013

The experts over at Festival Kids know a thing or two about taking children to a festival. They advise that when choosing a festival, you need one that has less crowds, child-friendly food, a car park, and enough space for your nipper to run around.

That is why they have recommended the following festivals for under 5’s:

• Just So Festival

16^th-18^th August, Cheshire

This festival is all about families which makes it the perfect choice if you live in North West England. It is pushchair-friendly and has great facilities including clean toilets and baby changing tents. It is set in a beautiful woodland area and is full to the brim with activities and adventure. There’s even an area that has electricity points to sterilise and warm bottles. Better still, under 3’s go free.

• Shambala

22^nd- 25^th August, Northamptonshire

Voted the greenest festival in 2011, Shambala has a circus, craft workshops, a theatre, sandpits, dance classes, and bedtime stories are read with hot cocoa in the family yurt. It really does have a ‘hippy vibe’ and under 5’s go free.

• Larmer Tree Festival

17^th-21^st July, Wilts/Dorset borders

This is a fairly small, intimate festival that has 11 acres of magical gardens to explore. There are plenty of workshops for adults and children including circus skills, crafts and drumming; and there is a YouthZone for 11-17-year-olds. There is a dedicated baby changing tent, as well as play songs and bedtime stories. Under 5’s go free.

• WOOD Festival

17^th- 19^th May, Oxfordshire

This too is a really small festival where toddlers can run around safely. The sound levels are powered by green energy making the stage child-friendly, and there is a dedicated breastfeeding tent. Dance barefoot in the grass and get involved in the many workshops. Under 12’s go free.

• *Chilled* in a Field

1^st- 4^th August, Kent/Sussex borders

This has to be the smallest of all festivals with a 500 size capacity, so it really is very safe and ideal for newbie festivalgoers. There are campfires and BBQs, as well as DJs and live performances. What’s more, there are lots of fun, interactive workshops and sustainable facilities include solar water and compost toilets. Under 5’s cost just £1!

• Do I need to take ear defenders for my kids?

(Image courtesy of machernucha on Flickr)

In short, yes, because noise-induced hearing loss is a major issue.

Around 45,000 children in the UK are deaf which means it is imperative to protect your little one’s ears if they are going to sustain loud noise for a prolonged period of time.

Make the experience an enjoyable one and pick up some fashionable ear defenders in their favourite colour. You may want to set a good example and wear earplugs too!

• Tip 1: Get them used to it beforehand

(Image free to use courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Kids can often be wary of new surroundings, so get them used to sleeping in a tent before you go. Go camping for a couple of nights beforehand, or simply put a tent up in the garden, and then the festival will be a breeze.

• Tip 2: Bring lots of toys

You will need plenty of activities to keep then entertained whilst you set up and put down the tent. Why not take a portable DVD player so they can watch a film, or alternatively some colouring books, crayons and puzzles like the Janod Chunky Dinosaurs Puzzle?

Take a football, a bat and some balls, or simply their favourite soft toy in case they get scared. A festival is a great chance to put them in fancy dress with fairy wings, wands, glow sticks and pirate hats. The more inventive the better!

• Tip 3: Bed time

You may struggle to get the kids to sleep, as after all, it is a new and exciting experience for them. They are away from home and their snuggly beds, and they are bursting with energy. Try to go about your routine as usual and make the tent as cosy as possible with blankets and soft inflatable beds.

However, can you really expect them to go to bed at their usual time? We advise you to use a tent that has one big sleeping area, as opposed to multiple bedrooms because if they wake in the middle of the night, they may not be able to find you.

Perhaps their favourite comforter might help?

• Tip 4: Clothing

Make sure the kids have appropriate clothing for the event. Take lots of t-shirts and shorts if it is sunny, as well as weather-proof jackets and wellies in case it rains. If the ground gets a little soggy and the kids get muddy, so what! There’s no harm done, just take plenty of spare clothes.

If the weather is forecast to be nice, don’t forget the kid’s suncream with a high SPF factor and a sunhat.

Even if you are not an experienced festivalgoer, you will definitely have a fantastic time and create some wonderful family memories. But remember- the most important thing of all is to enjoy yourself!