New mums and dads: essentials apps and websites for bringing up baby

Post-baby life can be anything but spontaneous. Rare nights out must be pencilled in weeks in advance so a babysitter can be booked before someone else nabs them.

However, a new app could make spur-of-the-moment outings a possibility once more.

The brainchild of two London dads, Bubble is an Uber-style app that aims to make finding a reliable babysitter "easier than ordering in a takeaway", according to founder Ari Last.

The concept is simple: the app connects parents with trusted, local babysitters who are available immediately. By connecting you to background-checked babysitters who have been hired and reviewed by your friends, it offers peace of mind, too.

Browse through profiles, choose a sitter, and, with 40% of requests made through Bubble successfully processed inside 24 hours, parents can enjoy pre-baby spontaneity once again.

Co-founder Adrien Murdoch said: "As parents, we know that when it comes to finding a babysitter, nothing is more powerful than a personal connection, and with our app, users can quickly tap into their wider network of trusted sitters."

Bubble is one of many digital resources to help mums and dads finding their parenting feet.

From the ever-popular Mumsnet to the new Tinder-style app for setting up playdates, here are six other online resources for new parents...

Cloud Baby Monitor

No need to buy a high-tech video baby monitor when this app turns your phone into a cheaper alternative. The £3.99 app, available for iPhone, streams video from a phone or tablet placed near the baby to another device, allowing parents to check on them from another room throughout the night. www.cloudbabymonitor.com

Peanut

Launched by the founder of dating app Bumble, Peanut matches nearby mums with similar interests. Whether it's arranging playdates or coffee dates, Peanut is all about making it easier to connect, helping to combat the loneliness that can sometimes come with being a new mum. It's available for iPhone. www.peanut-app.io

Babychange

Developed by NCT, this app (available for iPhone and Android) makes the lives of parents on the go that little bit easier by mapping changing facilities. Parents can search for nearby facilities and even rate them on cleanliness. www.nct.org.uk

Webmd baby

Being a new parent can be a nerve-wracking time, but with easy access to a wealth of physician-approved advice, Web MDBaby offers peace of mind. The iPhone and Android app also has a feature that allows you to track your baby's feeding, sleep and growth. www.webmd.com/webmdbabyapp

Mumsnet

The popular parenting forum now has an app, available for iPhone and Android. So if you want to chat with other parents, you can now be part of the conversation wherever you are. www.mumsnet.com/apps

Sound Sleeper

Offering a range of audio tracks, including white noise, car rides, and nature sounds, Sound Sleeper helps soothe your baby to sleep. With a wide variety to choose from, the iPhone and Android app can be used for newborns, toddlers and even tired parents. www.parents2parentsapps.com/soundsleeper