Choosing a baby monitor. Advice please

smileypigface

We bought the Angelcare with 'breathing mat' and have been very pleased with it. Once our little chap got active we stopped using the mat as he does tend to roll around quite a bit in his sleep and had a few goes of testing our rapid reactions by rolling off the mat. :eek:

He is now 2 and I wish we had the version with the video screen as it would be very handy to be able to see what he's up to while he's settling down to sleep - rather than listening outside his door wondering if he's really settled down or if he's silently planning an escape bid!!!! :D

Edited to add that in our home it is essential to have a monitor as our living room is on the ground floor and the baby's bedroom is on the top floor of our 3 storey house - I am sure that many people are like us and simply would not be able to hear a baby crying on another floor of the house. I'm also sure that once upon a time when many families lived in much smaller homes that monitors weren't needed - and of course, for many hundreds of years the technology simply wasn't available anyway - but times have changed.

daveyjp

prowla wrote: »

Don't bother.

Agreed we gave ours away, unopened. A room thermometer is a better investment and these are free with bounty packs.

Ask for some Grobags in a variety of sizes instead, far more useful.

Poppy9

Is it safe for a baby to sleep on one of these mats? Should baby monitors be placed very close to new born babies?


http://www.safekids.co.uk/aredigitalbabymonitorssafe.html

smileypigface

The model that we had does not have wireless technology between the mat and the transmitter - so it is perfectly possible to follow the advice in the linked article and ensure the transmitter is a safe distance from the baby.

Hope that helps clarify.

(I can't speak for any other model that may have a transmitter incorporated into the mat - if there is such a thing).

pinkshoes

Another vote for don't bother.

I know some people where the baby monitor's have caused them more stress than help!

I'd only recommend a baby monitor if you have a big house where you can't hear your child at night, or you're a VERY heavy sleeper!

My monitor was second hand, and I used it the first week I put DS in his own room from 8 weeks. After 2 nights I turned the volume off and just used the temperature bit and LED display, then after than I figured common sense was fine, and if it was a warm night, one less blanket, and if he wanted me (milk!), he'd shout and I could hear.

Babies wake up lots in their sleep, but usually don't want anything, so go back to sleep. They're noisy!

I decided that my own sleep was more valuable, as a fully rested mummy was one that had more energy to play during the day!

ps - my son didn't sleep through regularly until about 15 months!

mishkanorman

from our experiences last time round we have decided it would be helpful to have a sensor pad again, we had an angelcare monitor previously which was a bit glitchy but as that was nearly 10 years ago so hopefully they are improved since that model.

I dont see the need for a monitor with a screen, it would make me more uneasy to keep looking at it and wanting to go into him when he may well settle himself fine without me.

A model with talkback and a lullaby of some kind is on my wishlist as i remember the pain of creeping back into the room because the music stopped or the lights or whatever, thats not essential though and there are plenty of toys that do the same.

Buttercup2305

I used angelcare, had no problems with it.

skintchick

We just had a monitor that picked up sound, the BT 150 I think it is. I think there is a danger of relying on all the fancy mats and stuff, so that you don;t actually physically check your baby.

I do think a monitor is a good idea as it is good to get to a young baby before they are crying full-on - the sooner you settle them the easier it is. If they are very distressed cos they have had to cry over the telly before you notice then it might be hard to calm them down.

Everyone has a different POV though, and if you want one with all the gadgets then go for it, but don;t reply on it totally, do check baby physically sometimes too.

sunshine_1988

My baby is 18 weeks tomorow, he moved into his cot 2 weeks ago and we started using our monitor which is this one,

http://www.chiccobabycontrol.com/schedaprodotto.asp?L=2&area=BABY_VIDEO&pdtID=5&sez=2

It can be wireless, has very good sound and the video. Personally, I wanted a video one so I could see him. I really like this one, the video is really good and works at night time, it has a built in nightlight which our baby needs and a talkback. Entirely up to you what you go for though, we didn't get a sensor movement mat.

Congrats on your impending arrival and good luck xxxx

Redouble

My babies slept in my bed with me (following safety guidelines) and so I never needed baby monitors. This made feeding, changing, sleeping and basically everything so much easier on all of us
I personally dislike baby monitors, but am aware that it is a very strong and very personal opinion.