NEW Mumsnet Baby Bundle app sponsored by Nurofen for Children feedback thread: see how testers are getting on NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

This is the feedback thread for the MN testers who are trying out our snazzy new app for all things new baby.

The app is available in iTunes here

"Helping new parents through the first two years of parenthood, Mumsnet Baby Bundle sponsored by Nurofen for Children is the mobile toolkit that has it all! Mumsnet Baby Bundle is a one-stop app for new parents looking for information, support and a place to keep track of everything to do with their baby, from feeding patterns and nap times to measurements and doctors’ appointments. It’s packed full of free features to make your first experience of parenting as stress-free as possible."

There are several elements available for free on the app - and the pro version is available for a free trials for 7 days - after this free trial period ends, users would have an automatic enrolment into monthly auto-renewable subscription at £1.49/month (can be cancelled at any time)

Testers - please share with us below:

What aspects of the Mumsnet Baby Bundle app did you find most useful?
Would you recommend it to other parents? Why?
What else would you like to see in the app?
How easy or difficult was it to use?
Any other comments?

All testers who take part and who add feedback as requested, will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will get a £300 John Lewis voucher. Don't forget to also add your review here

Thanks and good luck

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

What aspects of the Mumsnet Baby app did you find most useful?

I liked the ability to record my baby's weight and the health reference section which is really useful and handy to have in one place.

Would you recommend it to other parents? Why?

Yes I would, I thought it was useful particularly for first time mums.

What else would you have like to have seen in the app?
The ability to record weight in pounds and ounces (not just kg)

How easy or difficult was it to use?
It was fairly easy and self-explanatory

Any other comments?
I thought it was a good app and would recommend it but I didn't feel it would be worth paying the monthly fee for the additional features. If there was to be a charge I would have preferred a small
one off cost and something that is similar for other baby apps.

I liked the growth tracker, however generally your child's length and head circumference isn't measured at weigh ins so it was annoying to have to insert a figure to save.

Finally my husband couldn't use it when I tried to share it with him as he is on android and it would be nice to be able to do so.

I was picked by MNHQ to review this product/service, which I received for free. This review is in my own words and reflects my true opinions.

I liked the check up planner - and whilst it had dates of when the check ups would be in relation to my daughter's age, it would be great if there was an automatic reminder say a few days before the start in order for me to ring up my GP to make an appointment. I also liked the health reference - the more information there, the better. Tried to look up runny nose, cough and couldn't find anything.

I would recommend it to first time parents - or parents of newborn. I'm a first time parent and my daughter is now 7 months and I haven't found it as useful as at this stage I'm not as concerned regarding tracking everything as much as I was early on. The baby monitor would have been useful but I couldn't get it to work and there were no instructions that I could see. Plus it seemed to continually be starting but nothing actually started.

App was easy enough to use once you played around with it.

The one thing I am tracking is solids now that we are weaning to see if my daughter likes or doesn't like anything and if she has a reaction to it. Would be good if it could remember what we typed so that I don't have to restyle each day eg. If everyday I am giving porridge for breakfast - porridge should come up when I type.

Yes, the requirement to keep logging into the App Store is really annoying and hasn't stopped yet, even though the test has.

Sorry for delay in posting. I had a little trouble with the app at the beginning but it works now

What aspects of the Mumsnet Baby Bundle app did you find most useful?
I like the health references and I do like the sleep and feeding records. I now have 2 children, and don't always have time now to record things, but I would have loved this for my first, and would say it's perfect for first time parents with a bit more time on their hands!

Would you recommend it to other parents? Why?
As above, I would recommend to any first time parents. I was pretty obsessed with feed times and sleep times and would have bits of paper with times scrawled all over them! This is perfect for keeping everything together.

What else would you like to see in the app?
Weight in pounds please.
A bit where you can log your child's immunisations.
White noise sounds to get baby to sleep.
Could link up with mumsnet local to include local info on the nursery/ childcare etc section.

How easy or difficult was it to use?

I couldn't get monitor to work, I forgot password and it was annoyingly hard to retrieve it as email link didn't work to change password.
Actual app once in was easy, it looks modern.

Any other comments?
To be honest I probably wouldn't use this to record info. I would use the monitor if I was out and forgot it, I would use for first aid info and health info, the British Red Cross has a good app which I also use, so it would need to be as good and updated as that one.
I would recommend to first time parents.

What aspects of the Mumsnet Baby Bundle app did you find most useful?
The health reference and parenting guide. It was useful to have all that information in one place and I liked the combination of facts with mumsnetter experiences. That said, the involvement of the sponsor made me unsure of the authority of some of the medical explanations and suggestions. It would be good to know where they originate and what involvement the sponsor has in the content.

Would you recommend it to other parents? Why?
Yes, in part. Logging apps are very useful for (especially first time) parents, and it's helpful to have that data combined with practical advice on development, vaccines etc.

What else would you like to see in the app?
Since HVs etc often talk about which percentile line a baby is tracking rather than their specific weight or height, that might be a useful addition.

I'd like to be able to export tracking data, probably by sending to email. This is fairly standard and expected - it's my data!

How easy or difficult was it to use?
A few frustrations:

• I know that in theory a child's head measurement and length is recorded routinely, but this rarely happens unless there's a particular concern. So it was a bit annoying that I couldn't just track the things I knew (weight) and ignore the things I didn't (head circumference). Seems rather all or nothing.
• when inputting measurements, the increments seem incredibly small and a bit pointless. 526g? Really? You aren't given that level of detail by health visitors at weigh-in, so it's a hassle to scroll through all the grams. It's also a faff of the weight you want to put in is at the upper end of a kilo bracket (e.g. 4kg 950g) - scrolling, scrolling, scrolling...
• Likewise, length is useful, but does it need to start at 0.25cm. Is any baby (outside the womb) that small? Er, no. Again, the increments are too small - the level of detail isn't required, at least not on the primary selection carousel. Perhaps having one list of numbers for the main measurement and another for fractions (.5) might help?
• having to constantly sign in to the iTunes Store was annoying though I assume that's something to do with the test. If not, it would be very off putting.
• couldn't get family sharing to work.

Any other comments?
I'm not sure I would pay for the app every month - perhaps for certain features, but there are enough apps and websites out there which have similar features (especially data tracking) to make me question the ongoing value.

Thanks for the opportunity to test this app!

What aspects of the Mumsnet Baby Bundle app did you find most useful?
The nursing bit was brilliant especially as its the inane question thats midwifes HV always ask how long on each breast and its really helpful to be able to judge if the child is having enough milk

Would you recommend it to other parents? Why?

Because its user friendly and straightforward also like the sharing aspect where if Nanna was looking after the children you could share info and also for co parents. liked the ailments bit aswell perfect for pfb

What else would you like to see in the app?
Teaming up with wonder weeks would have made this the be all and end all of apps
How easy or difficult was it to use?

Very straightforward didn't really need instructions except because it was testing, like that about the app

Any other comments?

I really like the app. Very easy to use and so handy then you have a six month old.

What aspects of the Mumsnet Baby Bundle app did you find most useful?

• I really like the health section and love the 'manage at home if', 'see your GP if' and 'seek urgent medical advice' feature. There have been many times I'd have appreciated this before and DS is only 8 months old!

Would you recommend it to other parents? Why?

• Yes, due to the health section and the Nappy/Pump/Feed tracking feature, which would have been very useful in the early weeks and when he's been ill.

What else would you like to see in the app?

• Advice and reviews for big purchases such as nursery furniture, prams, high chairs.

How easy or difficult was it to use?

• I found it easy to set up and navigate.

Any other comments?

• Didn't use the baby monitor feature as only have 1 iOS device - would probably not use it if I had another because it looks as though it would tie both of those devices up for the night.

What aspects of the Mumsnet Baby Bundle app did you find most useful?

I like the feed/nappy/sleep logs. With dc1 we found it hard to keep track of nappies and feeds so started using a notebook. With dc2 (6mths) I used an app however it was clunky and difficult to navigate. The Mumsnet app however appears foolproof and I love the big 'icons' to navigate. The more simple and less data entry the better imo and this fits the bill.
I did find that when the sleep timer was running I was unable to enter any other data for feeds etc. Maybe I was using it wrong but the ability to run the functions together wasn't obvious.
I really like the Heath Reference and the Parenting Guide, they made for good browsing during night feeds and I can see how it would be useful for first time parents.

Unfortunately I couldn't get the monitor to work so can't comment on that.

With regards to the Growth Tracker and Check Up Planner I personally have no use for them. I find that the red book does the job re growth and I enter the check ups in my diary as and when the letter arrives to remind me!

Would you recommend it to other parents? Why?

I would certainly recommend it to first time parents- having trialled a couple of apps to keep track of nappy changes and feeds this one was by far the easiest to use.
Perhaps for subsequent babies it may be less useful especially after the newborn phase has passed and the need for nappy/feed logs is no more. I find also that I would tend to turn to google for any health/parenting queries.

In summary yes, I would recommend it for first time parents in particular as it's handy to have everything in one place.

What else would you like to see in the app?

Perhaps the ability to search via locations/maps local baby change/feed facilities for when out and about. I vaguely remember having an app for this with dc1.

How easy or difficult was it to use?

In general the app is easy to navigate and set up is straight forward. The monitor didn't work on my app but this could possibly be due to user error rather than the app!

Any other comments?

Overall a nice app and one I wish I had had with dc1 and the early days with dc2. Thanks for letting me trial it!

I found the Health Reference section useful, and like others I liked the 'manage at home/call your GP' bit helpful. I also like the News Feed, Forum and Parenting Guide sections.

However, I found the Growth Tracker quite awkward. I entered some info wrong and I needed to delete it, but couldn't find a way to do it. It made the charts all wonky and I can't see how to fix them. I also just couldn't quite work out the charts anyway. I also think the increments for weight/length/time/ml etc were too small.

I think PP's suggestions of a map of local feeding/changing places, centile lines, and big purchases might be quite nice additions.

I don't think I'd pay a monthly subscription for the extra features. Possibly a one-off payment though.

If the issues I found with the tracker were fixed (although perhaps it was just me) I think it would be a great app. It's helpful to have all the things in the same place.

I also found lots of odd bits like in the attached pictures. Quite a few bits missing, or this weird bit in Latin.....

What aspects of the Mumsnet Baby Bundle app did you find most useful?
The app contains a good variety of information within the Parenting Guide, and also the Health Reference. There is a good use of traffic light system (red, amber, green) within the health section to let you know when you should see GP or seek emergency help. The activity section is a useful resource (certainly for the early stages). The app was easy to navigate within and also had a link to mumsnet talk app, which was an added bonus!

Would you recommend it to other parents? Why?
Yes. The app is designed as a 'one stop' resource. Whilst the information is readily available on the internet, books or other resources, it makes it easier, and quicker, to just check the one resource. The information appears to be up to date, and also has the added benefit of having 'real' experiences and comments from mumsnetters. This aspect gives a more human element to the app, and feels less like being preached to. Being a parent is difficult and it's not all about ticking the boxes, as each child is different. Having insight and reassurance from others is beneficial.

Others have commented that the app is useful for first time mums. As a mum of 4, I have to admit my level of dedication, and my fascination of 'firsts' is not quite the same. My mantra is "in a minute" although running after everyone I'm not sure if I ever achieve anything. The activity log, whilst ideal for first time mums (as they do not know what to expect, and may not feel confident), is still relevant for 2nd, 3rd and 4th time mums (in the early stages any way). Let's be honest, even though you've been through it all before.....sometimes things change, or you just can't remember!!!! Recording things in the early stages helps with your confidence, but also lets you clearly see a pattern. I found this useful with my children as they all breastfed.

The baby monitor is also a useful addition, and make the app more than just a resource of information. (Please note, I have not been able to access the baby monitor, so other than the fact that it is a good idea, I am unable to comment on how good a monitor it is.) Overall, I would recommend the app to others.

What else would you like to see in the app?
It would be good if the app mirrored the information contained within your Personal Child Health Record (wee red book). The section detailing development, screening, and routine reviews would be an ideal addition to the app. As a parent of 4, having the ability to record developmental firsts such as lifting their head, or rolling over, or even first words, accompanied by a picture or note would be fantastic. This would add to the longevity of the app as you are more likely to continue adding to this beyond the first weeks and months.

It would also be beneficial to include interactive checklists. The app contains parental guidance on developmental milestones but I would like to do more than just read these. I want to be able to mark them off. This way, if I have any concerns regarding development, it is easily identifiable. Having the ability to add a comment to these would be a useful prompt when asking your health provider a question in relation to these.

I would like to have the option to change the font size. The app has been designed for IOS but the interactive functions are pretty limited. I found myself tapping the screen, expecting things to happen, but to no avail. For me, the articles were difficult to read. Having an option to increase the font, or the ability to zoom on a page would be beneficial.

The home screen has a section detailing your last feed, nappy change, sleep etc. As an interactive device, it would be good to be able to select the icon to take you straight to the activity log for that activity.

The app contains a health reference. It would be helpful to include an activity for health in order to track temperature and medicines given when children are unwell.

At present, you are able to export data on each individual activity. It would be useful if you were able to export ALL data for a specific day/week etc as this would help you clearly identify patterns, and problems.

How easy or difficult was it to use?
The sections are very self explanatory. There is a good variety of information relating to the needs of your baby, and also your own health and well being. It is easy to navigate back and forth between each section.

The activity section is a useful resource. The most difficult part is remembering to start and stop the timer in the nursing activity! Although not a problem as you can add it in after the event!

I found the growth tracker hard to amend. This section details your babies growth, and records a history of your input. However, once you have added your details, you are unable to edit what you have added.

I found the use of a white background with black text quite difficult on the eyes (perhaps just old age!)

Any other comments?

I tried on a few occasions to export data. The app indicated that this was sent 'successfully' to my email address, but I have still not received this. Not sure if this is a glitch that has to be addressed?

Also, I was unable to set up family sharing. The link sent to additional email address would not open. I'm not sure if this is because recipient did not have IOS 9 (which is required for app). As a result I was unable to test the baby monitor.

Other possible glitches......the growth tracker input table allows an input for weight, length and head circumference. All three areas are not always measured. It is mostly weight measurements which results in a zero input for length and head. This results in the chart returning to zero between each true measurement, making the chart fluctuate (and look messy) rather than showing a steady climb in the graph.

I have enjoyed using this app. However, I would be more willing to pay a small one-off cost rather than a subscription. (With a new baby, every penny counts.)

I was picked by MNHQ to review this product/service, which I received for free. This review is in my own words and reflects my true opinions.

If the baby bundle app is to be used as a 'one stop' resource it would also be useful to include a sleep section with white noise, heartbeats etc.

Agree with poster above- sleep section would be a great idea.

I found the feeding log useful especially which side I fed on as i am often really bad at remembering (even though DS only feeds four times a day!!). The monitor looks like a great feature but I couldn't make it work.

I would definitely recommend this app for first time mums in particular. I would have loved to be able to record sleep and feeds the first time around. Now on dc3 I haven't used it as much as I would have done the first time. I used to keep a band on my wrist to know which side I was feeding on - try app would really help. I have recently been in hospital with DC3 and they kept asking me how long I had fed him for so it was useful then.

I would like to see a medical section where you can post when medicine was given. This would have been particularly helpful when giving DS his medicines post hospital as it was challenging keeping track of all the doses, particularly with the others to look after.

It was really easy to use but I couldn't work out the monitor which was a shame.

I should have put it on my phone instead of my iPad as I think it would have been used more then as it tends to be on hand more than my iPad.

I was picked by MNHQ to review this product/service which I received for free. This review is in my own words and reflects my true opinion.

A common question asked by mums is "what is the right temperature for my room" and "what should my baby wear". I can't find anything on the app (parental guidance, or otherwise) advising on the correct temperature etc. It would be useful to have a reference to temperature guide, tog rating for blankets and sleeping bags, and the correct clothing to wear with each.

As an interactive tool it would be good to select the temperature of your room, the tog being used, and for the app to tell you what to wear.

My room temperature fluctuates, I change blankets often, and I always have to re-check what my baby should be wearing underneath!

Perhaps this could be added to the app?

What aspects of the Mumsnet Baby Bundle app did you find most useful?

I thought that the parenting guide section was most useful, I liked that it had information on the different methods that parents can choose such as baby led weaning instead of the traditional purees that a lot of of sites recommend. Also the say way you can co-sleep. The health reference is also useful for any of those common ailments that babies can get.

Would you recommend it to other parents?
Why?

I would recommend it, especially for first time parents, my wee girl was 12 months when reviewing and also my 2nd child, I found the app wasn't that useful for this age and I wasn't really in to recording feeds, nappies etc. as more laid back second time around. I would however not recommend they pay the subscription for the pro version, I don't feel that this added anything worth it, perhaps if it was a one off charge instead of the subscription like most other baby apps.

What else would you like to see in the app?

Some soothing sounds for newborns would be a good section. Also information about developmental leaps and when babies go through their fussiest times.

How easy or difficult was it to use?

Relatively easy although a bit awkward to amend information and difficult to cancel the subscription (i'm still trying!)

Any other comments?

Get rid of the subscription charge, I don't feel that many parents would sign up for the pro version

Hi

I found the quick glance advice section e.g on prams, baby slings etc useful though I think it could have contained much more information or even links. Eg to top ten rated prams etc.

I don't think I would reccomend this to my friends as I don't think it offered much more than other apps which are cheaper, eg BabyFred which is a one off fee.
I don't think the family sharing section is useful- I'm not sure any of my family including husband would be too interested to be honest on the minute detail! I couldn't figure out how to get the baby monitor to work.

I didn't like the fact that when adding details of eg sleep I had to manually put in the number of minutes. I've used other apps which allow me to put in a start and end time (or use a timer- having the option of both is good) and it works out the minutes- one less job for a new mum!

I found the app easy to use overall though and it was certainly user friendly.

Thanks

What aspects of the Mumsnet Baby Bundle app did you find most useful?

I found the parenting guide most useful as it had a lot of info.

Would you recommend it to other parents? Why?

Only first time parents and best for those with newborns as the feeding sleeping recorders are really only very useful for the first three weeks, and most of the other info is known if you've already had a baby.

What else would you like to see in the app?
Info on developmental leaps.

How easy or difficult was it to use?
Easy to use except slightly irritating adding weights as it makes you go through by gram instead of 10g increments.

What aspects of the Mumsnet Baby Bundle app did you find most useful? Parenting guide. As a first time mum there was lots of useful info in this section
Would you recommend it to other parents? Yes Why?
What else would you like to see in the app? Developmental leap information
How easy or difficult was it to use? Quite easy
Any other comments? Good idea but not sure how popular the paid upgrade would be.

What aspects of the Mumsnet Baby Bundle app did you find most useful? The parenting guide is good, and also the health reference. I find myself googling a lot of queries or posting them on MN so it was good to have my questions answered before consulting Google.

The activity tracker is also good and it's a shame it came out now because I've been using baby time since my DS was born which cost me to purchase.

Would you recommend it to other parents? Yes

Why?
It's just a brilliant resource and user experience is good. It's easy to use (mostly) and is jam packed with info. Although I'm not sure any of the pro features really appealed to me enough for me to pay for them.

What else would you like to see in the app?
I think the PP idea of development info is a good one. That would save people having two separate apps.

Also maybe somewhere to put milestone photos e.g. One month, two month, first tooth, first meal etc

How easy or difficult was it to use? easy
Any other comments? It's a good idea as it centralises lots of info lessening the need for lots of apps.

One thing that was irritating was entering the weights. My DS was 7 kilos 400g and I had to scroll through 0-400g to get there

What aspects of the Mumsnet Baby Bundle app did you find most useful?
I found looking up my child's ailments rather than frantically googling the most useful

Would you recommend it to other parents? If so why?
Yes, especially for a younger baby( mine is 11 months) having the facility to record nappy changes/ feeds would have been very useful in the early days.

What else would you like to see in the app?
How easy or difficult was it to use?
I could not get some aspects of the app to work eg the monitor as I could not register my baby, however I was told this was a problem with my internet connection. The sections of that app that I did use were easy although some links were broken.

Any other comments
Very useful app I wish it had been around when my babies were under six months as that's when I feel it would be the most useful.

I too wasn't asked to redeem the code until I had already logged on and then it said it had expired. I am now worried I will be charged for the subscription.

This app is perfect for a first time parent as it helps keeps track of your baby's ever changing schedule. You can monitor feeding, sleeping, weight, appointments etc. As a fourth time mum however I found it too restrictive. I felt like I would be spending all my time monitoring my baby instead of just enjoying being with him.

It is very handy for keeping information in one place that can be shown to a healthcare professional but I am not sure I like having everything so prescriptive.

What aspects of the Mumsnet Baby Bundle app did you find most useful?
I found it straightforward and easy to use. Easy to navigate for quick checks

Would you recommend it to other parents? Why?
Possibly. I didn't find it very useful myself but maybe this is because this is my second baby (two in 19months) so it's all quite fresh from the first time. For a mum keen to document feeds and sleep and look up info I think it could be great.

What else would you like to see in the app?
Maybe links from the info sections in case there isn't enough there and you want to find out more? Otherwise quite comprehensive

How easy or difficult was it to use?
Any other comments?

It was very easy to use. Good layout, clear navigation. I just wouldn't use it this time around.

I would love to have been able to review this app however, after having all the problems with registration and codes outlined above and emailing mumsnet regarding them, I have still not received any invite codes or feedback from either mumsnet or the developer.

I'm sure the app is perfectly adequate, but if the total lack of assistance or feedback is any indication of the standard of tech support expected I can only conclude that it would be appalling.