The Phoenix Has Landed (And I Have Big News)

by | Feb 13, 2019

ruth crilly phoenix magazine

The phoenix has landed, the cat is on the lead, the dog is at the dinner table and the chicken is a cover star. Sounds like a slightly odd lesson from one of those secondary school French listening tapes (ecoutez et repetez!) but it is, in fact, my latest magazine shoot.

We went quite off piste with the whole idea behind this fashion shoot for Phoenix magazine; what began as a sort of satirical commentary on country living, via clothing trends, became a quite bonkers story about my home life and various animals. I mean I even cuddled a chicken, for crying out loud. I hate chickens and their bony, weird claws and their wings that feel all fragile and flappy and panicked.

I hope you appreciate the things I do for my art, in inverted commas.

ruth crilly phoenix magazine

You can see the full editorial with photoshoot at Phoenix here – there’s such a kind and detailed interview inside. The only thing is: the lovely people at Phoenix have been very organised and punctual with their content but have not. So there’s a bit of a surprise for any of you who read the magazine before you read what I’m about to say…


…because the cat is out of the bag and the project I’ve been working on for almost two years has been revealed. The Night Feed. The Night Feed is an app designed for new mums (or not-so-new mums) who are up in the middle of the night feeding and comforting babies or just trying to get them to GO BACK TO BLOODY SLEEP! There’s nothing lonelier than being awake for the night feed and being completely by yourself; unable to text anyone because they’re all in bed, unable to watch the TV because you’ll wake the baby up… For me, it was one of the hardest things about being a new mum and by the time I was going through it with my second baby, Ted, I decided that enough was enough: there had to be somewhere I could go at night to feel less lonely and pass the time in a useful and pleasant way. And it didn’t exist, so I decided to create it myself.

The Night Feed is (if I may say so myself) pretty amazing and I hope that everyone will want to take a look, not just new mums or mums with older babies that won’t sleep. It’s a constantly updated feed of content (blog posts, reviews, diary entries) as well as a place where people can easily connect with one another via messaging and discussion threads. Think of it as a warm, welcoming members’ club where you can join in as much or as little as you want – stop on by and read a newspaper (the feed posts and reviews – keep up with this analogy, it’s a good one) or pull up an armchair and chat to like-minded people whilst you eat biscuits.

If you’re awake at night and feeling frustrated and bored then I hope that this is the place you’ll feel an inexplicable pull towards – like a warm light shining out into the dark, I want it to reel you in, draw you to it like moths to a flame. And for those who like a purely practical app there’s a baby feed timer with painstakingly thought-out, clever features as well as my self-created selection of the best white noise sleep sounds. (I still use a sleep sounds app and Ted is two; it’ll be worth downloading the app for this alone!)

Of course the content is not completely baby-centric (we don’t all want to lose our minds) and the app is for anyone who wants to use it, male or female, parent or non-parent. And obviously you don’t just have to use it at night – the content will be there 24/7, the night will just be when the fun stuff happens. Because it’s about time there was an upside to being woken up every three hours. Apart from the cute baby aspect. And the fact you can eat choc chip Tracker bars at 3am and not feel too guilty.

Now look, the app isn’t quite ready yet – it’s in its final build stages – but I will be needing a few people to test it pre-launch, so please do comment below if you’d be up for it. I need thorough testing and honest feedback because once it goes out into the cold dark night, there’s no going back! It’s already being tested to the nth degree, but I always trust you lot to tell me what’s what and so I’d be eternally grateful…

I will update you as soon as we are go-go-go with The Night Feed; I’m so excited. This is the biggest project I’ve ever done on my own and it has been such a learning curve, I can’t wait to show you the finished product!

ruth crilly phoenix magazine

But back to chicken-cuddling and dogs-at-tables: click here for my wonderful story with Phoenix. Photography by Richard Grassie (richardgrassie.com), styling by Charlotte Holt (here) and hair and makeup by Lisa Caldognetto (here).

172 Comments

  1. Hi Ruth
    Bit late in the game to apply to be a tester as just heard of your new app but if there is a vacant spot for a rapidly ageing/sleep deprived/held together by yorkshire tea and dry shampoo mum of a 4 and a 2 year old boys then please add me to the list. Good luck with it all, sounds like it will be really useful to a lot of people x

    Reply
  2. Ruth I’ve just learnt about The Nightfeed App, I was due baby number two start of this week and would love to be a tester if you still have a need? Love your posts. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Watch this space – it’s almost ready for soft launch! xx

      Reply
  3. Hey Ruth,
    I came from your most recent post. I just had my first child and would love to be a tester. The app sounds like an amazing idea

    Reply
  4. Oooo I would be very interested in the app. My children are 15, 13 and 10, bit the younger two have special needs and we have lots of sleepless nights. Sounds like something I’d find really useful and to be honest a bit of a lifeline as it’s night times I struggle with the most. Fantastic idea. All the best with it x

    Reply
    • Thanks Nicola, I’m glad you like the sound of it! x

      Reply
  5. What a great idea! I’d love to be a tester (if it’s not too late). Just had number 2 and feed a lot at night!

    Reply
  6. Hi, is the app up & running yet? Struggling with a 7mth old with super itchy skin that affects his sleep, I’d also be happy to help test!

    Reply
  7. Hi Ruth,

    I would love to test. I have 4 children who never sleep, so have been awake at night for the last 9 years….

    Sarah

    Reply
  8. Hi Ruth! I’m due with #1 in early June, so am up for it if you still need testers then.

    Reply
  9. Would love to be a tester. I’m due baby number 2 in 3 weeks, baby 1 is 19 months old so the memory of being up all night is still fresh in my mind. Added to that – despite number 2 not having arrived yet , I’m still awake at 430 am for no good reason except that I can’t sleep ! I think it’s a brilliant idea – there’s only so much Facebook and Instagram scrolling I can’t take each day !

    Reply
  10. I’m six years into child induced sleep deprivation and would happily test the night feed :-)
    What did parents do before iPhones?

    Reply
  11. Hi Ruth,
    Sounds like a wonderful app with such a heartfelt beginning. I used to be a marketing and an online customer/user experience person before I had my 2 under 2 (the littler one being 8 weeks old) and now have the lonely job of a full time parent, I’d be happy to help and give my feedback.
    Sarah

    Reply
  12. Chronic insomniac and not so new mum (7 years, 1 month and some days ) here. Throwing my hat in for being a beta tester.

    Reply
  13. Hey Ruth, that sounds fantastic!!! I‘m also not a mum but a few times awake at night due to cramps/pain (for years).
    It‘s really frustrating, nothing to do but not able to sleep.
    I‘d love to test!
    and really looking forward to connecting with others and exciting content <3

    Reply
  14. Great idea! Those nights are indeed lonely, and I’ve many a friend who have probably blocked me because I stalked them in need of a chat at 4 a.m., completely forgetting how that really is not the cool thing to do.
    I actually scrolled your blog while in labour with my second, being both bored out of my mind in the bathroom while at the same time timing and puffing with an app on my phone. I was being so totally practical about the whole thing. God, modern age can be so lonely and depressing. Anyway, your Sunday tittle tattle about the sinks and taps made me laugh out loud so often the husband came and checked on me a few times, completely worried (not so the times I grunted in pain, bastard).

    Reply
  15. I think you’ve had a million and one responses already, but I just wanted to throw my hat in to the ring also.

    I’m a soon-to-be new mum (due in March!) and with pregnancy, along with a whole host of other life admin, I suffer with fairly bad insomnia. I yearn for something to read or engage with that will keep me occupied, relaxed and above all not scrolling endlessly through Facebook and Instagram, whilst also being helpful to me, and actually mentally healthy too.

    On top of this, I have worked within website and app design and development, along with user experience testing, for the last 10 years, so would be more than chuffed to help out on your new venture and offer an impartial, objective yet professional (and experienced!) point of view on feedback for the app. This is what I do. I’m a problem solver, and a solution finder.

    Reply
  16. Would love to be a tester Ruth! I’ve been following you for years and years, way before babies and just love your content. It means a lot to me! My little girl is 9 months old and we’re into some disturbed sleeping with nursery starting so I’d totally love to hit your app up for some after-hours fun ;) xxx

    Either way, well done and I will be a heavy user!

    Reply
  17. I’m not a mom but I’m often awake at night. I’d be happy to test the app out and give honest feedback. It sounds kind of fun, actually. Let me know if you still need any testers.

    Reply
  18. Sounds great Ruth, really exciting project. Currently breastfeeding a 5 week old. Another Ted :) Currently writing from her 6th consecutive hour of cluster feeding tonight… would love to test your app if you need volunteers. Though it doesn’t look as though you’ll be short of them!
    Congratulations on it all

    Reply
  19. Hi Ruth, Congratulations! Really excited about your new app! One word of caution though – have you thought about the safety aspects of having messaging facilities and user generated content? Sadly internet trolls and predators are attracted to apps which are designed to support potentially vulnerable individuals so worth making sure that you have really robust processes in place and plan for the cost of this (AI moderation can help but can miss the nuance of human conversation). If you haven’t already done so, it might be worth speaking to other similar platforms such as Mumsnet and Peanut so you know what you might be facing and ways of dealing with it. All the best x

    Reply
    • Yep, will have paid moderators. And users can easily flag content they deem unsafe or unsuitable, which then gets held for moderator appraisal. x

      Reply
      • That’s brilliant. Thanks Ruth!

        Reply
  20. Hi Ruth, I would love to test. I have a different perspective. My sons are grown and I have a granddaughter. I am up at night to care for my husband who has an aggressive form of lymphoma. Chemo and radiation didn’t work, so we are going to Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL for treatment in a research trial. We start tomorrow. My babies were up often during the night for breastfeeding. I remember how exhausted I was, especially with the youngest one. My older son was 4 and helped. I so enjoy your videos, especially the ones with the babies. I came across your videos by accident. It was the one about your 2 wedding rings, then on to the infertility videos. You have such a funny way of describing your life. You combine family, work, children, beauty and intelligence into all of your writing. Back to the testing. I would enjoy giving it a try. It would take my mind off of my husband’s health and all the appointments, bills, leave of absence from work. If you prefer to have young mothers, I totally understand and will look forward to getting the app and enjoying your future writings. Take care, Alison

    Reply
  21. Good on you Ruth Crilly! I have to say that I wish you had smiled a bit more in that Phoenix article. You have that 2k yard stare of WWI soldier with shell shock. I’ve been a fan of yours for quite a while now and I’m always amazed at how energetic and innovative you are. Stay strong!

    Reply
    • It’s fashion, Susan! Smiling is illegal! : )

      Reply
  22. I’d love to test it! I have a 3.5 year old daughter who sleeps brilliantly but then along came her little sister, who thinks sleep is for the weak! 18 months later and I could count on one hand the number of nights that she’s slept through.

    Reply
  23. Yes would love to test- currently in a foreign country with a colicky newborn- sounds exactly the type of thing that would make this s little easier

    Reply
  24. Such a cool idea! Can’t wait to try it out! Good luck to you, Ruth. I absolutely love your sense of humour and the way you talk with yiur audience, I am sure it’ll be successful as so many women (and men, I guess) can relate to it.

    Reply
  25. Me! I want to test it! I have a two and a half month old that sleeps marvelously, as long as there’s daylight. Nighttime is another matter altogether, and I’d really love some company while I’m up trying to convince her to close her eyes. It’s an amazing idea, really.

    Reply
  26. Yes!! Exactly what i need at 3am !! Would love to test xx

    Reply
  27. Congratilations Ruth! What a brilliant idea!

    I would love to test your app. My 6 month old still wakes about twice at night to feed and having something to do and not feel lonely seems just perfect!

    Reply
  28. I’d love to test it out (I have a 13 month old whirlwind), but not at night because if I get my phone out during a night feed, that’s me awake for the night!

    Reply
  29. I’d love to test the App think it’s an amazing idea something I’ve needed for ever as a mum to a child who doesn’t sleep much it would be life changing. Well done Ruth I feel so proud of you and all you’ve done in last couple of years xxx

    Reply
    • Thank you, that’s so kind x

      Reply
  30. Hello Ruth, it’s your ‘OG Commenter’ here. Babies long flown the coop, but am a chonic insomniac on the other side of the world, ready and willing to join in and be a tester. I’m currently in hospital, being woken and jabbed every five minutes. Does anyone ever get any sleep in a hospital?? I love that you have been brewing up something wonderful in the background, and still producing amazing and addictive posts. Well done you, gorgeouas and inspiring woman x

    Reply
    • Cheers OG Diane! I hope you’re not in for anything too serious? Sending get well vibes across to you. xxx

      Reply
      • ‘just’ a double mastectomy Ruth, so nothing too bad in the scheme of things…

        Reply
        • Oh goodness, sorry Diane. Sending you all of my love. x

          Reply
          • Thank you so very much x

          • Ruth
            Although I am not a “new mum “ I have not forgotten the many times I’d woken up in the middle of the night to feed my babies and just simply check on them. I remember looking out the window in the neighborhood seeing lights on in homes that I knew had newborn babies like I did. There was a certain “comfort “ in those wee,lonely hours, knowing that I was not the only new min awake tending to my new baby! I would love to test your new app! Very exciting!
            Warm regards!
            Mary

  31. Would love to test it out! New mommy of a 5 month old baby boy!

    Reply
  32. Would love to be part of your trial team. I have a 5 month old who loves to party at night so something nice to look at and take part in would be lovely…plus my day job is designing mobile apps from a consumer perspective so I’ve got a pretty good eye for detail when it comes to testing them! Xx

    Reply
  33. Both my kids sleep thorugh the night now (knock on wood), but oh how I wish something like that would have been around three years ago!
    A brilliant idea, and I bet you´ll find many eager testers around your readers.

    Anne|Linda, Libra, Loca

    Reply
  34. I slept on the floor next to my two year old’s bed last night (once I managed to fall asleep after falling into a hole of Googling Jessica Simpson then Ashlee Simpson and then Evan Ross and then Diana Ross and then…….) so I’d love to test the app! I know so many mums who would be totally into this. Good work!

    Reply
  35. Ruth,
    I am intrigued by your app, The Night Feed, and would enjoy taking part in the testing. I am myself, an insomniac, and have many new parents in my circle who might benefit from this brilliant idea.
    Dana

    Reply
  36. Congratulations Ruth!

    I am expecting baby number two in June and am still currently breastfeeding my 20 month old, would be delighted to test out the app it sounds sanity saving

    Rebecca x

    Reply
  37. Hi Ruth,

    I would love to test out your app (and bravo for making it – great idea!) I’m currently sat with my one week old curled up on my chest. My husband will be travelling to China in the next few weeks so I will be very much alone in the night then so something to pass the time would be much appreciated! I particularly like the idea of being able to connect with other parents who are up in the small hours.

    Thanks Ruth x

    Reply
  38. Congratulations Ruth, it sounds fantastic.

    Reply
  39. Hi Ruth, I’d love to test out your app. I’m currently up ALL night with my cluster feeding 5 week old. Husband is a primary deputy head so I’m spending lots of lonely nights downstairs trying to stay awake feeding so he can sleep. xx

    Reply
  40. Hi Ruth, i’m louisa’s sister and i’m 5 weeks into the rollercoaster that is having a newborn! I would definitely be up for testing your app. It is currently 4:30am and so I am looking forward to using it when available. As you say the white noise alone will be worth it!! Best of luck with the launch, making apps is really hard and they cost a helluva lot of money to build so well done!

    Reply
  41. I have a 3 year old and a five month old (who typically wants to party between midnight and 2). I’d be happy to test the app. What a fun idea!

    Reply
  42. This is brilliant! I’d love to test. I can only spend so many hours on instagram, it is not always helpful to my 3am self esteem.

    Reply
  43. Sounds really exciting! Available to help with the trial if needed x

    Reply
  44. None baby (children 9 and 7) insomniac available for testing here

    Reply
  45. I’d love to test out your app! I’ve got a one month old who just loves to take her time on the boob so a bit of stimulation for the mind is certainly needed. I can only take so much of Instagram and Pinterest.

    Reply
  46. Hi Ruth, i would be very happy to test the app… from a personal and professional perspective. I’m a mother of a two year old (her and Ted’s birthdays are only a few days apart!) and I’m always looking for interesting new content…but I’m also a psychologist and specialise in child development and parenting (I also have a parenting book out later this year)… so again I’m always looking for new resources to recommend from a professional stand point! Let me know if I can be of any help. Rachel

    Reply
    • Oh interesting! If you fancy doing a post or two, or contributing in some way related to your upcoming book then obviously I’d be delighted! : )

      Reply
      • Ummmmm…. that’s a big yes from me lol! I would be very happy to contribute, how best should I get in contact? And thank you!

        Reply
  47. I would be up for testing Ruth! I’m currently on mat leave and struggling what to do at night when my 4 month is awake!

    Reply
  48. Hi Ruth, my little girl is slightly younger than Angelica, I’ve followed both your accounts and enjoyed the babies, the make up, the mint magnums, the house moves!
    I’m still awake in the night and find myself scrolling on the phone – would be delighted to be invobled in testing your fab new app xx

    Reply
  49. I would LOVE to test out your new app, as a first time mama to a 2 week old I’m finding the night feeds a struggle and spend a lot of time on amazon, or, kicking my happily snoozing husband! Not that I should moan too much as its his card registered as my one click payment *smug face*

    Reply
  50. Happy to trial it – sounds great!

    Reply
  51. What a great idea! I have a 16 month old and the mums from my NCT group use to whatsapp during night feeds. It can be so lonely especially when your husband is snoring through baby cries and your insomnia. I’d love to be one of your beta users. The baby still wakes occasionally and I have terrible trouble sleeping.

    Reply
  52. Happy to help too. Have a 7 week old baby and bored of looking at the same old websites night afyer night. And my husband may prefer me to stop internet shopping at 3am too.
    What a wonderful idea x

    Reply
  53. This sounds amazing, and couldn’t be better timing wise. We had our baby 4 weeks ago, but he spent his first 3 weeks in the NICU and has only come home this week, so night feeds and the loneliness that comes along side them has been a shock to the system. I knew sleep deprivation would tough, but I wasn’t prepared for the bedtime dread and loneliness that came along with it. My little one is tube fed at the moment, which makes those night feeds all the more stressful and scary out of hospital, so a friendly place to go and chat and know that other mums are doing the same thing as me is exactly what I’ve been craving. I would absolutely love to trial this, as the release could not come soon enough xx

    Reply
  54. This idea is BRILLIANT! Congratulations. If you need additional testers I’d be happy to help from the US.

    Reply
  55. Hi Ruth,

    This is very exciting news and I am sure it’ll be a success as anything you do!! I have a 14 month old girl that gives us sleepless nights from time to time so would be delighted to try! And even if she would sleep through…!! You hit the spot there!

    Reply
  56. I’d be happy to test, Mum of 3 here. Kids aged 6,5 and 11 months. still nightfeeding and back at work 2 months.

    Reply
  57. This is so exciting. Perfect timing too as I have a 5 week old and plenty of night feeding ahead of me. It’s so tedious, I can’t wait for something to amuse me. Would love to help testing :)

    Reply
  58. That sounds amazing! Congratulations! My second is due very shortly and I literally told my best friend yesterday I needed to prep material for keeping me awake, so I’d love to be a part of the testing.

    Reply
  59. I’d be very happy to test. I’m up multiple times a night breastfeeding my 3 week old while husband snoozes away! I’ve followed you for years and enjoyed your Uphill content, which you launched shortly before I got pregnant with my first baby :)

    Reply
  60. Would love to be a tester! Have an 11-month-old and hope to one day have another.

    Reply
  61. I would love to help test the app! I’m not a parent but have insomnia off and on, this app sounds like a great place to visit in the wee hours :)

    Reply
  62. I would love to test this out! My 4 month old is up at least twice (by which I mean three times…) a night and I am desperate for something like this!!

    Reply
  63. Would love to help Ruth! Currently awake at all hours while my almost two year old escapes out of his cot every single night and generally avoids sleep at all costs!

    Reply
  64. What a great idea!! My “baby” is Ted’s age and she still wakes up a few times before I give up and bring her to our bed (). I was just thinking the other day that I need something new on my phone to read because it doesn’t feel healthy to constantly root around Facebook and Twitter just to stay awake. I’m happy to beta test!

    Reply
  65. Will it be a available in the USA

    Reply
  66. I’d love to be involved…9 years into getting up at 5am!

    Reply
  67. Congrats on your latest venture! I’d love to test it out, I have a two week old baby so am in the thick of the night feed blur!

    Reply
  68. I would love to be part of your trial team! There’s nothing more thrilling than playing with something new and finding out where it’s brilliant and where it could be improved! I’m still up multiple times a night with my 7 month old boy so I’d be happy to have something to do other than wish I was still asleep…

    Reply
  69. These photos are works of art! And congrats on your new app!

    Reply
  70. Currently on mat leave from my job as a business analyst creating and maintaining apps so I can test this for you :) up with my 4 month old EVERY NIGHT at 3/4/5am for an hour!

    Reply
  71. Hello! Love your stuff (I found the Uphill before my daughter was born, and you made laugh and laugh….) and this will no doubt be brilliant. Happy to help. Up at 5am, and sometimes also all the other ams, too!

    Reply
  72. I live on Maui, which is 6 hours behind friends in new england, have horrible insomnia, and am always scrolling my phone in search of life. Not a parent, but find your blogs and vlogs so satisfying. Can’t wait for the app launch.

    Reply
  73. I would love to help Ruth, I’m now developing my 7th app for the baby weaning market and have experience testing and have multiple devices. My most popular app is baby led weaning recipes which is due to re-launch in a few weeks so I’m in the thick of testing right now x

    Reply
  74. Hi Ruth,

    I’m currently breastfeeding a 3 week old. My second child. I have a two and a half year old too. I think this app sounds brilliant. Just what is needed to tackle the loneliness!

    Happy to test if you still need volunteers…

    Reply
  75. Yes please! Anything to stop me EBay’ing at 4am

    Reply
  76. The app sounds incredible! I’m due in 9 weeks and would be more than happy to help with testing.

    Reply
  77. I love your writing, Ruth, and your new app sounds awesome. I’m due any day with baby number 2 and my first was (and still is) a terrible sleeper so the app sounds perfect for me! I would love to test it if you still need testers.
    A fan from Canada xxx

    Reply
  78. I’d be happy to test it, have a 19 month old and two month old so regularly up in the night

    Reply
  79. I’d love to test this app! I nearly cried reading this. When I had my daughter my husband had a shit job and I was so lonely in those days. Now I’m just up late studying and then up sporadically when my five year old wakes and wants me to come lay with her till she falls back asleep. ‍♀️

    Reply
  80. This has arrived at the most perfect time for me. I have a very hungry 10 week old and there’s only so much insta scrolling one can do. Very happy to road test this app for you on one of my many night feeds! Oh and I work in marketing so can provide tech feedback

    Reply
  81. Me please! I’d love to test the app. My little bundle of Duracell bunny joy is 1 years old on Sunday. I went back to work a few weeks ago so if I’m not up with him then I’m awake stressing about work And who said you can’t have it all

    Reply
  82. I have a one week old baby, would love to give the app a go to get a bit of variation from instagram….

    Reply
  83. I would love to try it out! Have a 2,5 year old, but still!

    Reply
  84. I have a one week old baby, would love to give the app a go to get a bit of variation from instagram….

    Reply
  85. I’d love to test it for you! I’m expecting my second baby, and already dreading going back to the night feeds, so anything that will help sounds right up my street!

    x

    Reply
  86. Would love to help test! I’m a habitual night feed scroller.

    Reply
  87. I’m a mum to two children who are long past waking up for a 3am feed…..think GCSE revision hell instead! But mine were huge feeders and these were pre-instagram days when you relied on your little cherub accidentally biting down on your nipple to keep you awake on the night feeds! I’m also a magazine editor with over 20 years’ experience should you want someone to cast an extra pair of eyes over any content while test driving the app.

    Reply
  88. Baby #2 is due 27 April – if the app is ready by then I’d love to help test it on Android!

    Reply
  89. I’ll give it a go with you like. Good for you Ruth x

    Reply
  90. Such a great idea, I am currently up a lot with my 9 week old (and often with my 19 month old) and something to actually read in that time, that isn’t as heavy going as my usual books and gives a bit more interaction than the few blogs I follow would be brilliant. happy to test and provide feedback if that would be helpful.

    Reply
  91. Happy to test I have an 11 week old & 3 year old. I’m up 3/4 times during the night. This sounds like a godsend ❤️

    Reply
  92. Would love to test this. My 6mth old and sometimes 2yr old have me up at night.

    Reply
  93. My baby is now 4.5 months and despite continued 3 hourly wake ups I try to avoid my phone so that I can fall back to sleep as quick as possible. Those early days though, I would stare at my night light or phone light even if my eyes wouldn’t focus just to stay awake while breastfeeding! This would’ve been great to have and a much healthier environment than Google – I think I spent more time googling than sleeping for a couple of months!

    Reply
  94. Exciting news about the app!I’d love to test it and provide you with my feedback. It would be great to try something new (instead of IG and reddit). I have a 5 mo baby boy who doesn’t sleep.. x

    Reply
  95. I am up what feels like all night with my second child who is 5 weeks old. Please let me rest it for you I am going out of my mind with boredom at night!

    Reply
  96. Can a Canadian gal test it out?! Currently hanging with a 3 year old and a 4 month old

    Reply
  97. Hello Ruth, so glad to read about your new venture, its a great idea!
    I’m a Mother of a 19 month old who has never been a good sleeper and a wife to a husband who cannot function without any sleep, so lucky me is up most nights! (usually I end up buying things online that I don’t really need at stupid o’clock or watching Instagram feeds)
    Save me!! Would love to be a tester!

    Reply
  98. Great idea! Sometimes you’ve just watched everything on you tube and looked up all the baby clothes during the night. You’ve have had plenty of testers volunteer already but happy to help.

    Reply
  99. Whoohoo! This sounds exciting! I’d love to try it if I can. I’m currently breastfeeding a 10-week-old son so I’m up many times at night :D

    Reply
  100. What a brilliant idea. I have a three month old and would love to test it for you. It sounds like a life saver! Xx

    Reply
  101. Oooh great idea! I have a 15 month old who isn’t too bothered about the convention of sleeping at night, I’d loveto test the app when you’re ready if you need peeps!

    Reply
  102. Hi Ruth,
    I’d love to to test the app – I am a new mum with a four week old, and definitely struggling with the loneliness of night feeds. It sounds like a wonderful product! X

    Reply
  103. I’d love to test your app!

    33, no kids, but someone with back issues who can’t sleep through the night thanks to the back issue.

    It can get bloody frustrating and lonely to constantly wake up in the night and only have one’s phone.

    Reply
  104. I would love to test it! Sole parent to a seven month old ( and six year old). I am up through the night and often feel very alone in the night.

    Reply
  105. How exciting! Can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
  106. I’m up at 5 am almost every day (insert sad face). Let me test it for you!

    Reply
  107. I would love to test your app Ruth! I am currently 37+6 weeks pregnant. Am suffering with pregnancy insomnia and am sure the night feeds won’t be a walk in the park although I do like your idea of snacks by the bed. (Does your body make you an insomniac on purpose in preparation for the night feeds as people are telling me to sleep lots but my body has other ideas! That and trying to turn over every hour to get comfy but needing a crane!)

    Reply
  108. I would be happy to test the app. I’m a late twenties female and not a parent.
    Not sure if this is a demographic you would like to test the app but I’m here if it helps!

    Congratulations on your hard work – fabulous!

    Jen x

    Reply
  109. Such a great idea
    My little one is 2 but not the best sleeper. Be nice to have some company!!!

    Reply
  110. What a brilliant idea! I would love to test it – I have an almost three year old and a five month old so I will have plenty of opportunities!! X

    Reply
  111. I’m not a mum but I’m a long time follower and also a software tester so I’d be happy to put it through it’s paces. I’m sure it will be fantastic and a huge success. Good luck and we’ll done, Ruth!

    Reply
  112. This is an awesome idea!! Like they say the nights are long. Jeez, and those nights are too long. I hated going to bed knowing that it felt like I had another 12 hour day ahead of me with the night feeds. It is terribly lonely. My boy is almost 2 and for some reason, he is up again now during the night.

    Reply
  113. This sounds incredible!! I am due with my second next month and would love to help test it out whenever!! It’ll def come in handy in a few weeks. Can’t wait for the official launch either way!!

    Reply
  114. Wow. Big applause for the app but three cheers for the cycling shorts. That shoot looks incredible! X

    Reply
    • HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Thank you so much. : )

      Reply
  115. So exciting!
    I am expecting my second baby, and if he/she will be anything like my first born, I’ll be up all night. It already started now in insomnia!
    Sounds like a perfect app for me. sometimes motherhood can be lonely, so it’s important to connect with others, even just via the virtual world

    Reply
  116. I’d love to help test pretty please. Currently have a 3 month old and a 2.5 year old who’s only just started sleeping. And in my non mum time I’ve spent the last 16 year of my life in digital marketing world more specifically recently in things like UX and design as a strategist trying to build awesome apps and content. Two hats coming together

    Reply
  117. I would love to test it out. My baby is 11 months now but I still struggle with insomnia. Sounds like a great idea, we have many long lonely nights.

    Reply
    • Err yes please! There’s nothing worse than having the time to text people back but no-one is awake! What a lovely thing to drive forward! Thank you!

      V
      Ps happy to test, experienced product tester pre-baby

      Reply
  118. Oh that sounds amazing Ruth! I’d be a willing test bunny

    Reply
  119. This is such a cool idea. I don’t have children but have had stretches of insomnia in the past. When I would wake up in the night, I would go on Twitter but that’s not exactly the sanest place in the world at that time.
    If you need a tester with experience in content marketing, I’m willing and able!

    Reply
  120. would love to test it but my babies are quite big now.

    Reply
  121. This is a brilliant idea! I’d love to be involved in the testing if you’re still looking. I have an almost three year old and an 11 week old, trying to find something to keep me awake during feeds is a struggle!

    Reply
  122. Hi Ruth I currently am breastfeeding a 4 week old so would love to test your app

    Reply
  123. Reporting for duty! (Hopefully sleeping alright soon but have an 11-day-old baby so chances seem slim…)

    Reply
  124. Hi Ruth! I currently have a 3week old baby (our first) and would love to help test the app! With the husband back at work now I am finding myself creeping around at 3am (why when the baby is screaming at a volume far exceeding my footsteps I have no idea, but at least I feel like I’m TRYING not to wake him) and ‘banished’ (by my own brain, not by my husband!) to the nursery room to feed and change so the app would be good fun to try.

    Reply
  125. Oh how exciting! Currently feeding a 2 week old so would greatly welcome stimulation during the early hours (or at least something to distract me from the murderous thoughts directed towards my snoring husband beside me). Android user!

    Reply
  126. Very up for testing this app, sounds fab! Am up throughout the night with my newborn and my toddler

    Reply
  127. What a great idea! There’s only so much Instagram refreshing I can do.. and I can’t quite get my head around reading novels at 4am! Would love to help test this!

    Reply
  128. This is SUCH a brilliant idea! The middle of the night loneliness is so real. My third baby is due in two weeks, so I’d love to test it out. Nothing like a bit of sleep deprivation to induce some brutal honesty if that’s what you’re looking for. Ha!

    Reply
  129. The app sounds great… I don’t have children but often can’t sleep and having something to look at on those nights when nothing is working sounds fantastic.

    Reply
  130. It sounds like a great idea. I have a 3 month old baby and the night feeds are very boring. I would be happy to test.

    Reply
  131. I would love to help with reviewing this app! Currently I don’t have any children (hoping that will change soon!) but I am quite the night owl and suffer with insomnia. I find it’s exacerbated by that feeling of isolation and that everyone else is asleep and I think something like this would be so comforting! Reminds me of a late night chat room!

    Reply
  132. I’d be interested in testing this! My baby was sleeping well until the 4 month sleep regression hit, 6 weeks later I’m still up feeding every 2-3 hours. Also not met anyone else in baby classes going through it which is hard :(

    Reply
  133. Hi Ruth!
    I’m currently 37 weeks pregnant and just jumped at the news of your app. If possible, I would love to try it, as my Phoenix is landing in about two weeks xD

    Reply
  134. I would love to test the app. I’m an excpecting mum-my due date is February 24th so I’d say I’m your targeted audience:)

    Reply
  135. What a fantastic idea Ruth! And congratulations on putting it all together, I’m amazed you had time alongside everything else you do!

    Can’t wait to see it or would love to test if you still need testers.

    Reply
  136. Your App sounds amazing! I’m due baby no.2 this week, and those long lonely nights are one of the things I’m really dreading off. My daughter was a terrible sleeper, I’d be very happy to test run it for you xx

    Reply
  137. OMG YES PLEASE!! The Night Feed sounds amazing, I get really bored looking at twitter and Instagram at 2am and would love to try something new.

    Reply
  138. What a great idea Ruth. I’m currently sitting in a hospital bed next to my baby who has pneumonia and could imagine that I’d have been using it throughout our stay here! I also envisage that all the progress we’d made with his sleep (a seven hour stint! Only waking up twice!) will have gone out of the window with being poorly, so if you need a tester for the app, I’ll certainly be awake…

    Reply
  139. What a great idea Ruth. I’m currently sitting in a hospital bed next to my baby who has pneumonia and could imagine that I’d have been using it throughout our stay here! I also envisage that all the progress we’d made with his sleep (a seven hour stint! Only waking up twice!) will have gone out of the window with being poorly, so if you need a tester for the app, I’ll certainly be awake…

    Reply
    • Oh no, how dreadful! Hope he gets well quickly xxx

      Reply
  140. Hi Ruth, great news about the app, I really can’t wait! I have a two year old who still sometimes wakes up at the middle of night and a new baby arriving in early June. I’m based in Australia so the 24h thing will be great for me. Happy to give it some testing to help with the feedback.

    Reply
  141. Looking forward to this Ruth. My baby is due in April, but I’d be very happy to test it before then day or night (currently dealing with third trimester insomnia!)

    Reply
  142. I’ll give the app a go! I’m on Android.

    Reply
  143. Being a stay at home with two toddler rascals – I am up for testing the app It might bring little sanity to my crazy life of long days and short years

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.