What kind of baby monitor to get?

[connorlevismom]

I am looking for a GOOD baby monitor. It does not have to be one with a video camera on it, I just want something that is clear and does not pick up other peoples homes. We had one that was pretty clear but everyday we could hear our neighbors talking in their home and it really creeped me out. I don't want anyone to be able to hear in my home!

Kristine

 

[adventure_woman]

I have a Sony babyCall monitor (looking/listening to it right now). It was rated awesome in the What to Buy Baby book that rates things. We have had it for 2 1/2 yrs and have never caught a neighbor's conversation. It has many different frequencies, so if the neighbor did have one, you could change the frequency and it would be ok. We did once hear a phone conversation - that was weird. (but only once did that happen). I also take it outside a lot, and never any problems. I love it.

The only thing I don't like about it is the end that is in the baby's room has to be plugged into the wall (it does NOT take batteries). I don't know if they changed that in the newer models.

 

[Lisa_M]

We have the Sony Babycall one too. We live in an apartment building and have never picked up anyone conversations. It is clear too. I also like the voice activation function. Definitely a great monitor and not badly priced, just a little difficult to find. I ordered mine straight from Sony.

 

[figment41]

We have an angel care baby monitor. It has a motion sensor pad that goes under the mattress to make sure the baby is moving. It is wonderful and I love it.

 

[squirrel]

My sister also used an Angel Care Monitor. She has since passed it on to a friend now that my nieces are older.

 

[two-foxes]

We have a summer handheld video monitor. We absolutely love it. We have never picked up our neighbors voices, and the homes on both sides both have LO's with monitors, too. The only weird thing we got was if we changed the channels on our monitor, we could pick up the video signal of our neighbors monitor on occassion....but it was purely by chance that we found out when we were playing with it one day.

I cannot imagine not having the video monitor. I am actually panicking a bit of what to do with another little one on the way! Don't want to spend the money on another, but I LOVE having the extra "eye" to keep tabs on both LO's now!

 

[MarriedToAPrince]

We also have the Angelcare Movement Monitor. Actually we have two, one for the house and one for the camper. LOVE it and recommend it to everyone I know. We stopped using the movement part a short while go and now only use the sound portion which works just as well.

 

[HLAuburn]

We have a summer handheld video monitor. We absolutely love it. We have never picked up our neighbors voices, and the homes on both sides both have LO's with monitors, too. The only weird thing we got was if we changed the channels on our monitor, we could pick up the video signal of our neighbors monitor on occassion....but it was purely by chance that we found out when we were playing with it one day.

I cannot imagine not having the video monitor. I am actually panicking a bit of what to do with another little one on the way! Don't want to spend the money on another, but I LOVE having the extra "eye" to keep tabs on both LO's now!

I'm considering the Summer video monitors, too. How big is the screen on the handheld? Is the picture quality pretty good?

Thanks!

 

[two-foxes]

I'm considering the Summer video monitors, too. How big is the screen on the handheld? Is the picture quality pretty good?

Thanks!

It is a 1.8 in screen...small, but good enough to tell the first time my son had gotten a stomach bug that he had thrown up in his crib. Essentially, it does a great job for the size. I can see if he is standing up, sleeping, reading, nif his eyes are open or closed...the images is not crystal clear by any means, but is better (in fact in color) when it is light out.

 

[bumbershoot]

We have a summer handheld video monitor. We absolutely love it. We have never picked up our neighbors voices, and the homes on both sides both have LO's with monitors, too. The only weird thing we got was if we changed the channels on our monitor, we could pick up the video signal of our neighbors monitor on occassion....but it was purely by chance that we found out when we were playing with it one day.

That's the kind we should have gotten...we didn't get anything, and for some reason, I woke up DS every time I went to check on him. Hubby could go in and E wouldn't stir, but with me, woke him up each time. I could have saved myself a lot of trouble if I'd had it (we didn't have any monitor). So I recommend the video monitor!

 

[Avonlady1001]

We also have the Angelcare Movement Monitor. Actually we have two, one for the house and one for the camper. LOVE it and recommend it to everyone I know. We stopped using the movement part a short while go and now only use the sound portion which works just as well.

I recommend this one too. When DD (now 4) was born, we had a problem with "false alarms." The alarm that signaled she stopped breathing would go off every few nights & when I ran in there like a bat out of you know where she was fine.

Fast foward 4 years, now DS comes along. Same monitor (not a new one...same exact one)...NO false alarms. It works fine, I've tested it. It goes off exactly 20 seconds after I take him out, so it works. I truly believe now, that they were not false alarms w/ DD. She did stop breathing & either the alarm or me bursting in there woke her up or startled her enough to start her up again.

I believe that without this monitor, I would have lost my precious DD when she was an infant. To me, this monitor is priceless & the only option for an infant. (DS sleeps in his crib 2 feet from my bed...I still use it. DD was in her own room.)

Later, when they are a bit bigger & past the SIDS risks, I'd go for the video monitor. I liked the video one later on when I wanted to know if she was really awake when I heard noises, cause if I checked on her by opening the door, she'd wake up & then I was screwed. LOL I still use the video monitor w/ DD. I like to check on her w/ out getting out of bed.

We only here the neighbors when the receiver part is on & the monitor itself is off in the room. They must keep theirs on all the time...don't know who they are, but they're always there when we turn it off. LOL There is no static or noise when both parts are on.

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

We have the Summer Secure Sounds monitor. We love it! It is constantly changing chanels so we haven't ever picked up anything but DS. It's clear enough to hear DS breathing at a regular volume instead of being turned all the way up. It also lights up in addition to the audio. It picks up great outside too.

http://www.summerinfant.com/categories_products_view.php?id=8

Our second is due soon so we are thinking about adding another of the same monitor. I called and asked Summer if they will work together and the rep said they 'should' but they couldn't guarantee it. I guess we'll just get another one and return it if they don't work together.

 

[larklynn]

love the angel care monitor!!!

 

[HerdOHuds]

We are on our second Graco monitor. The first was really really static-y. And it wore out. Maybe it had something to do with the boys flinging it around. Who knows? I would only recommend that you go for the higher megahertz. That is what makes the monitor sound clear or not.

ETA:I am going to sound a bit paranoid, but we still have monitors in our 4 year olds' rooms. We can usually hear if there is trouble brewing or if they are jumping around or if they woke up in the night and our bedroom is nowhere close to theirs. I can usually tell by the sounds if there is blood or puke in the room. This is important to me!

 

[connorlevismom]

We are on our second Graco monitor. The first was really really static-y. And it wore out. Maybe it had something to do with the boys flinging it around. Who knows? I would only recommend that you go for the higher megahertz. That is what makes the monitor sound clear or not.

ETA:I am going to sound a bit paranoid, but we still have monitors in our 4 year olds' rooms. We can usually hear if there is trouble brewing or if they are jumping around or if they woke up in the night and our bedroom is nowhere close to theirs. I can usually tell by the sounds if there is blood or puke in the room. This is important to me!

That is funny, I was the same way with DS. I kept it in his room until he turned 4 so that I could hear if he ever got sick in the middle of the night. I thought I was the only one that did that!

Kristine

 

[krystalleigh1]

Check out the monitors on amazon.com there are tons to choose from and you can read reviews too.

I have a Summer handheld video monitor and love it! Like a pp said, I can see what's going on and see if there's any "monkey business" or if baby is napping or awake. I've never had reception problems.

 

[maraki527]

we have the summer infant video monitor, not the hand held on and we love it. We never have picked up anyone's conversations and at night when I turn the volume low I can still hear her breath. When I hear her in the middle of the night I just turn the video on to see whats going on. It has saved us alot of running to her room in the middle of the night to check on her. Our picture is really clear and i can watch the video and see her little chest moving up and down.