I have always had a video monitor for both kids. I LOVE it and plan on watching them like this til they go off to college LOL. the sound on the receiver went about a week ago and I had to send it back to Summer Infant for a replacement. So we went out and got cheapo sound only monitors til it's back.
DD usually lays in her crib playing with her stuffed animals for at least 20-30 min. before falling asleep. she doesn't really "talk" to herself, she's pretty quiet, but i could see her and that she's not sleeping.
there have been a few days that she's gone in for her afternoon nap and been totally fine in there for up to an hour playing with her stuffed animals and her sound machine, but she doesn't sleep. so now, since I can't see her I have no idea when she is actually falling asleep! I put her down at 9am today (b/c she woke up earlier than normal at 6am) and she started crying around 10:15. I am trying to put her down for her 2nd nap now and she is sooooo overtired and cranky. i'm starting to think she didn't ever nap this morning! so, how on earth can you tell if your LO is sleeping in there without seeing them?
Re: nap Q: if you don't have a video monitor
I am probably no help here, because my DD seems to be the opposite of yours. She hates being in her crib.
If she is not sleeping in her crib, she is crying in her crib. So obviously, I know when she wakes up lol. Sometimes I can hear her rolling over in her sleep, but again, if she wakes up, she stands up in her crib and cries.
Sooo basically, I hope someone else can help you here! :-)
BFP #1: July 12, 2010 Natural M/C: July 26, 2010
BFP #2: January 30 ,2011 Born: September 29, 2011
BFP #3: January 5, 2013 Born: August 25, 2013