Ok, so I've started my registry and I'm at a loss when it comes to picking a baby monitor. It seems like every model review has some really good points and some really bad points which isn't making my decision easy.
Plus, just audio or do we really need the video ones?
So ladies, what do you think? Which ones are you registering for/already have?
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Re: Baby monitors
Baby248 - ETA 1/10/13
We are going the route of an angel care monitor. They are pricey but because I know two people who have lost little ones to SIDS, it's worth it to us. (If you're not familiar with angel care monitors, in addition to being a monitor to use to hear the baby, there is a pad that goes under the sheet and it monitors the baby's movement and breathing. If the pad does not sense movement for 20 seconds an alarm will sound. It also has other features...)
Here's a link to the one we are registering for: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002ZB82CU/?tag=hyprod-20&hvadid=7607538939&hvpos=1o2&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5675764811402983163&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&ref=asc_df_B002ZB82CU
There was a Target Daily deal a couple days ago for a video monitor and it was about $100 which I don't think is too expensive for something you'll use frequently. I haven't registered but I'll definitely check out the video ones.
LO will be sleeping in our room for at least the first few months [we don't have a choice but I think I would do this anyways] so SIDS isn't so much of a worry but the video is nice if I'm trying to do stuff around the apartment. I babysat for a girl with the video one and it was awesome.
We registered with my DD for the angel care monitor and ended up returning it - it was causing more times of me running in then needed. (The pad is small in my opinion).
My daughter slept in our room for 5 1/2 months, then moved to crib.
We use a video monitor and I LOVE it - it allows me to see her, and I don't have to go in unless she's standing (she cries in her sleep a lot) - whatever you get will be great!
We are just doing audio. Our house isn't that big and I know either way I will probably be checking on the baby a million times throughout the night. Here is the one I bought - https://www.walmart.com/ip/VTech-Safe-and-Sound-1.9-GHz-Digital-Audio-Baby-Monitor/19717412?findingMethod=rr
We got a basic audio set and I think we used it for 2 months- our room is right across the hall from DS. I used it more during the day when I was home on maternity leave in another part of the house, but that was only for 8 weeks. We probably won't be using it any more this time either.
I think it depends on your personality on whether audio/video is better. I have a friend who is a constant worrier- she definitely needed the video monitor!
I think we're going to do video, but I haven't had a chance to go through reviews of different brands yet.
SIL/BIL have a video one for my niece and nephew and they love it and highly recommend it. Like a pp said, I really don't think they're that expensive for how much you use them. (and SIL/BIL have been able to use the same one for both kids, lasted at least these 2.5 years).
We have a video monitor with DD and LOVE it. Seriously...it's awesome to watch her on it as a baby, and now in her big kid bed. Plus, I love just watching her sleep or cuddle up with her buddies.
We will get a second one for LO #2.
I love the video monitor. We can hear her cry from our room, so at night, we turn off the sound, and just use the video (set at the darkest setting). During naps, we use the handheld and use both the video and audio.
I will definitely be buying another Angelcare monitor. It is the only reason I can sleep at night. DD has heart defects, one of which she is being monitored for, is characterized by sudden cardiac arrest/death. (Determination for final diagnosis at the end of the month) I continue to use it for her, and will use it for my next LO.
I don't recommend the combined video/Angelcare. It's so crappy. We have it at my ILs and I hate it.
We just have an audio monitor and it's been fine for us. I can see the benefits of a video monitor, but I don't think it's necessary to have one. It's just a personal preference.
Although, DS slept in our room for the first 7 months. If he was going straight into his crib I might have felt differently about the necessity of a video monitor.
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We have the summer infant monitor one and like it. We have that in our basement so we can hang out and watch TV but make sure she is okay an asleep. We have a cheap one in our bedroom that is just the sound.
My recommendation would be that if you're a FTM and plan on having more kids and want to look into a video monitor, you may want to look at ones that have 2 camera's and/or 2 monitors... just because I know we'll put a video monitor in DD's new room and still want one in the nursery for the baby, so we have to go out and purchase a new monitor set.
We didn't want other people to be able to watch DD, so we opted to get a survalance system instead. For those that don't know, with video baby monitors, neighbors who also have one can pick up the frequency and see/hear whatever you're seeing. They did a news story on it awhile back and just drove through a neighborhood with one in the car and could see and hear in anyone's house that had one on. It was creepy! Both my SILs who have one also frequently see into other people's homes.
We bought it survalance system off Craigslist and got a good deal. DH works in video and sound equipment and assures me people can't pick it up because of the frequency it uses. It works great!
https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Security-Surveillance-Outdoor-Weatherproof/dp/B005TPUF38/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1344017795&sr=1-8&keywords=Uniden
Whoa! Did not realize this, but I can see how that could happen. Put me firmly into the audio only category. The thought of people being able to see inside my house creeps me out.
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