Sitting on the sofa watching the blue light on the baby monitor gradually rise and fall last night- never so high that I had to leave the sofa but never quite low enough that I could watch the TV and not the blue light- I started thinking about baby monitors. Friends of mine who have just had their third baby don’t use a monitor anymore- they are relaxed third time around and though baby sleeps at the top of the house (with the door shut due to visiting dog!) they know that if he cries they will hear it slash sense it. Why then do most of us rely on the little rising and falling lights?- The set up of the house plays a part of course- if the walls are thick or the distance to baby is far then there may not be any option but the baby monitors on the market are so extensive and so varied that every parent is allowed to choose their own degree of comfort. I think of the baby monitor as the parent comfort blanket. Here are some of the extreme options that I have used and can recommend.
The angel care monitor is a deluxe al singing all dancing baby monitor- with a sensor pad that detects baby’s breathing and sets off an alarm if movement stops for twenty seconds and all the usual sound settings it is really a very good parent comforter. The sensor pad and sound settings can be set individually if you only need one and the technology makes for super clear transmission.
Downside: It is quite expensive at £79.95- however this is a result of the clever technology that goes into it and reflects its performance and reliability of the gadget.
You also need to have the presence of mind to turn the monitor off before you pick your baby up- very easily forgotten- AS obviously removing baby from the pad will make it think that the baby has stopped breathing and the alarm will sound!
The ditto breathing monitor was designed by a father of triplets (I first came across it with twins). It is a little gadget that you attach to your baby’s nappy and it monitors the rising and falling of baby’s tummy (breathing). If the tummy movement stops an alarm goes off that gradually gets louder. It is great because you can use it everywhere (baby doesn’t need to be in the cot!)
Downside: It is ideal if you are close to baby but not so good if baby is any distance away- it also goes off randomly sometimes which can be a nasty shock. It is also quite expensive at £75.
The video monitor option is another thing altogether- monitor your baby via video link (can be attached to your tv or to skype). Personally while Angelcare and Ditto provide the function of monitoring baby’s breathing and therefore excellent peace of mind for parents with premi or worrying babies- the video monitor is just one step too far. If I was watching my baby sleep and not just the little lights rising and falling I would worry for my sanity. Imagine asking a babysitter to watch the monitor...and not the tv. They do give some mothers peace of mind and if you want to use it instead of having to pop up and down the stairs then it might be good for you but I like to personally check on baby and if baby cries the chances are you are going to have to go to him anyway!
As a parent's comfort blanket- choose the degree of baby surveillance that suits you and puts your mind at rest. If baby is safe and parents are happy then the product is right!
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