This is a place for FTMs to ask questions and S+TMs to share the wealth of knowledge they've accumulated on baby products. Each week we'll spotlight a new category of product to help streamline and make it easier to refer back. This week it's....Baby Monitors/ Safety Gear!
Please use the prompts below to try to share as much relevant info as you can in a format that is easy for those reading to absorb/respond to. If you'd like to recommend/ask questions about more than one product, please copy/paste the prompts as needed.
For S+TMs:
Favorite [Baby Monitors/ Safety Gear]:
Link/picture:
Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):
What you like about it:
What you don't like about it, if anything:
Is there a [Baby Monitor/ Safety Gear] you don't have but are considering? Why?:
Additional thoughts on [Baby Monitors/ Safety Gear]:
For FTMs:
[Baby Monitors/ Safety Gear] you're interested in:
Link/picture:
Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):
Any questions about it/them for S+TMs?:
To view past product spotlights, add suggestions for future spotlights see here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NZB2b3JaDWH7WnSQ0ZZMP4cMmKjUHFjlPanVeDTuzPY/edit?usp=sharing
Please feel free to add in suggestions at the bottom if there is anything you want to discuss... if you can't edit the spreadsheet, tag me below or shoot me a message.
(Also just a reminder that if anyone wants to revive old threads to ask questions as we get further along and it becomes more likely everyone is doing further research, please feel free!)
Re: Product Spotlight: Baby Monitors/ Safety Gear (7/30)
https://www.motorolastore.com/baby-monitors/video-monitoring/mbp-36.html
It wasn't wildly expensive for a video monitor, but we were given it as a gift. I was anxious about a wi-fi accessible monitor when DS was born, so at the time I liked that this one was on a closed circuit and couldn't be accessed by any other devices. I like that it has a pretty clear picture so I can always see what he's up to, but it doesn't rotate or move at all. I feel like it's supposed to be able to do that. The one thing that I really don't like about it (and this may be something other people do really like) is that it's SO LOUD. Even on the lowest volume it's still blaring. This could be because of DS's white noise machine, but I just wish it had more of a range of volume.
This time around we're considering a monitor that connects to our phones via an app. I'm not as worried about someone hacking into our monitor anymore. I also want to have two cameras that both show up on one feed. For now the kids will be sharing a room, but our current monitor won't cover both cribs/beds with one camera. I haven't even started doing research on that ...
Favorite [Baby Monitors/ Safety Gear]: Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Monitor
Link/picture: https://www.amazon.com/Infant-Optics-DXR-8-Monitor-Interchangeable/dp/B00ECHYTBI
Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): 165.99
What you like about it: It is a great monitor with great range and picture. You could also add additional cameras for any future children or other rooms you would to put a camera in. Does not run on WIFI, therefore alleviates security concerns. They also have a clip that attaches the camera to the crib when little one is small for optimal viewing.
What you don't like about it, if anything: Nothing, I had the samsung camera prior to this and it had a short battery life, and the camera broke after 6 months of use.
Is there a [Baby Monitor/ Safety Gear] you don't have but are considering? Why?: n/a
Additional thoughts on [Baby Monitors/ Safety Gear]: For safety gear make sure you measure for gates, we had trouble finding a gate for our stairs. Also, keep in mind how often you are going to be walking through an entry way, therefore consider gates that swing open rather then are spring loaded. Baby proofing seems to be an ongoing process as our child discovers has to "use" or get into new things. Therefore we started baby proofing when DD started to crawl (i.e. outlet covers, tv mount band, cabinet locks), then when she started walking, we started securing certain door handles and putting in gates. Then as she got taller, we got gas range covers, and started securing furniture to walls. When you think you are done, they always discover something else to get into that's dangerous.
I have always lived in a small house or apartment so never felt like I needed a baby monitor. I can hear what is going on, so I never felt like it was worth the expense for me, but I know that for a lot of parents they provide an important feeling of security and control. If that is important to you I would put it in your budget, but I wouldn't call it a necessity for every family.
As for safety gear - I wouldn't worry about it until at least 6 months. But I also live in a ranch without stairs and have late movers. Mostly, keeping baby safe is going to be keeping my daughter away from the baby since she would love it to death.
BFP 6.8.2018 EDD 02.18.2019
DD born 4/1/2023
Baby #3 EDD 11/21/2024
BFP 6.8.2018 EDD 02.18.2019
@kayjay44 Good point. I think the stuff might be too heavy for a kid to tip over anyway, but better safe than sorry!
DD born 4/1/2023
Baby #3 EDD 11/21/2024
BFP 6.8.2018 EDD 02.18.2019
DD born 4/1/2023
Baby #3 EDD 11/21/2024
BFP 6.8.2018 EDD 02.18.2019
@grebretso I second the "ask for forgiveness rather than permission" comment. Or just spackle it and hope they don't notice. We had small nail holes in our old place that we spackled, and we still got our deposit back when we moved out. Some "move-out-day donuts" for the leasing office helps smooth things out a bit, too.
BFP 6.8.2018 EDD 02.18.2019
DD born 4/1/2023
Baby #3 EDD 11/21/2024
As for baby monitors I didn’t use one with my first and we won’t with this baby either. I have a 5 year old so most of the ‘baby’ proof stuff we just grew out of so here we go again lol. I won’t be really baby proofing anything until the baby becomes mobile either.
Here’s my middle little snoozing away at nap.
MMC 2.12.11 @ 8w
PVM 5.8.12
GWM 3.17.15
RPM 2.21.19
Does anyone have any experience with retractable ones? With attaching a gate (not necessarily a retractable one) to a banister on one side?
Thank you!