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Nurseries and Baby Gear
EvenAngelsFall
member
Can't decide on a monitor: Angel Care vs. a video one
EvenAngelsFall
member
They both seem to have pros and cons, and we just can't figure out which would be best. What's everyone else doing... and would especially love to hear advice from 2+ time moms who have actually tried them out! TIA!
"If every word I said, could make you laugh - I'd talk forever".
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Re: Can't decide on a monitor: Angel Care vs. a video one
Baby Bargains does not recommend Angel Care. I went with a video one and I have to say I'm not sure I could live without it. there are so many times since DD arrived that I have saved myself a trip out of bed because I could SEE what DD was doing. We also didn't have DD sleep in her crib until she was 5 months and I'm not sure the Angel Care would have even worked in the RNP.
DD's Food Allergies: Peanuts and Rice, Outgrown Dairy!
8/09 Dx PCOS & Hashimoto's
BFP #2 12/13/11. Missed M/C at 11w5d, measured 8w6d. D&C 2/1/12
Never in my arms, but always in my heart.
Thanks, would you mind sharing what brand you used?
DD's Food Allergies: Peanuts and Rice, Outgrown Dairy!
8/09 Dx PCOS & Hashimoto's
BFP #2 12/13/11. Missed M/C at 11w5d, measured 8w6d. D&C 2/1/12
Never in my arms, but always in my heart.
med-free birth x2, breastfeeding, baby wearing SAHM
My BFP Chart
Baby monitors is one area where baby bargains failed at really reviewing.
The reasoning they listed as not using the Angel Care monitor is because it wont save your child from SIDS. They did NOT actually review the monitor.
No freaking monitor will save your child from SIDS. Last I checked there is nothing on the market that will jump into your baby's crib and start CPR if needed.
The Angel Care monitors are a great way to comfort your mind. No, the don't solve the SIDS problem but they do alert you when needed. I hear of very very few false alarms when set up correctly. I personally would rather have the peace of mind while in my bedroom (bottom floor of a tri-level house, LOs room is the top floor. So technically, 3rd floor). No I wont use it alone, of course I will still be checking on her but there is no reason for me to rush upstairs every 30 seconds to comfort my mind.
We got the new Angel Care monitor with video. I was fine without the video part but my husband has to have the newest, latest and greatest. haha.
Bargain doesn't mean cheap, it means getting what you pay for. Baby Bargains recommends a lot of expensive items and never recommends against something just because it costs a lot. Don't try to explain a book that you obviously don't know much about. They review all major brands and list their top recommendations at three different budget levels at the end of the section.
If it gives you peace of mind, that's great but the AAP says they do not reduce the risk of or prevent SIDS. The book recommends against movement monitors because they're charging a lot of money for a product that doesn't do what people assume.
med-free birth x2, breastfeeding, baby wearing SAHM
My BFP Chart
Perfectly said! When I was researching Angelcare, never did they claim that their product could prevent SIDS. No monitor can. I'm going with Angelcare with the video and sound option.
Also, DS was hospitalized for a week when he was 8 weeks old for breathing issues stemming from RSV (still has tons of breathing issues today) and the doctors in the hospital recommended that we get the AngelCare for when we went home, although we already had it. Is it a medical grade piece of equipment that will monitor respiration rate? Of course not. But being alerted after 20 seconds of no breathing is huge in my mind.
OP, we also got a Summer Video Monitor about a year ago to see what he was doing in his crib at night just because we were curious, and it works great as well. Personally, if I could only have one, I'd go with the AngelCare.
Blog Chart
This. We never tried AngelCare and got a video monitor so I can only give my opinion on the video monitor. We absolutely love having one. Many people say that only want audio because the nursery is literally steps away from their room but it's not just hearing them that I want to do. Being able to look at a video of DD makes a big difference, especially when she got older. So many times I've heard her wake or cry and all I had to do was look at the monitor to decide if it was necessary to go in. Sometimes I lay there and just watch her play for a while and know that she's perfectly fine entertaining herself. DD is a light sleeper so the thought of creeping in there to check on her is a risky move, therefore having the video was perfect. If you do choose to go video make sure it's not analog. Digital keeps you from picking up on other people's video monitors, which I've heard have been a creepy experience! We, too, have Summer Infant's Slim and Secure like the pp. It has it's bad moments but overall it's great. They have awesome customer service too.
Yes, it doesn't prevent SIDS but people should have common sense. For us, the Angelcare monitor was worth every penny. I wouldn't have slept without it. When I was first on the board after DD was born, it DID help a family on here. Her baby stopped breathing and was diagnosed with sleep apnea. I believe another time it alerted someone to their baby not breathing and their were able to administer CPR. The baby spent 3-4 days in the hospital but survived.
SIDS or not, it was worth it to us.
exactly this. i love my angelcare.
Konstantino
Maximo
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Thanks all... really appreciate the feedback! ! Didn't realize AngelCare made a video monitor.... they really should put VIDEO in the name of it! Anyway ~ 2 Qs about the AngelCare video monitor:
* I have read reports that the video quality is really poor, has that been anyone's experience here?
* Can you use the video / movement / temp features all at the same time, or do you have to chose one?
Thanks for the continued feedback... its really helpful!
Definitely get the AngelCare. We've used ours for 14 months and absolutely love it. I recommend it to everyone.
Reasons I love it:
-It alarms if DD stops breathing or if the temp is too high or too low in her room. It gives me peace of mind to know that she's still in her crib (we have a climber), and that I can see the little pendulum swinging on the monitor (which swings as long as your LO is breathing/moving).
- During cold and flu season, being able to tell that my LO could breathe was very important to me. I know monitors don't prevent SIDS, but I knew that it would alarm if she couldn't breathe from the congestion or if her face got into her swaddle wrap or against a blanket.
Main reasons I don't like video monitors:
- If you live in an area with lots of little ones, other people will be able to view your child sleeping in her crib. This was a MAJOR reason we didn't get it. If you turn on a video monitor in our neighborhood and flip through the channels, there are other babies on there. Very creepy to me.
- You can see your child lying there during the day, but you can't tell if they are breathing. Paranoid moms like me would have to go in the room and put my hand on DDs chest to double check.
- "Night vision" requires an infrared light to be pointed at your child all night.
Side note: A friend of ours almost lost their baby at 7 months old due to an aspiration episode. They think she vomited and inhaled it. They had a regular sound and video monitor and she appeared normal. Her husband just happened to walk into the room to check on their little one and she was blue (you couldn't tell on the video). He performed CPR and her life was saved. If she had been out for longer, the docs said she would've had significant brain damage. The NICU doctors sent them home with an Angelcare monitor and said they recommend them to everyone. They said they CAN help prevent suffocation and aspiration deaths because the parent is alerted in enough time to assess the situation, perform CPR, and call for help.