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Advice on baby monitors

9 replies

Tee20x · 18/05/2021 18:20

Hi all.

Does anyone have any recommendations for baby monitors? Preferably one with both video and audio. Would be useful if anyone knows of any that are available via a phone app as well to allow viewing on the go?

Not too bothered on price.

Thanks!

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johnd2 · 19/05/2021 01:31

We got the bt one, it was about 100 pounds and works really well, even in random places in the garden the signal works. They have a reputation to keep up and they made sure it works wellAnd easy to use, but at a price
Nothing fancy like WiFi as we considered it unnecessary and also risky, but they do some wifi ones. To be honest too many features are a bit of a recipe for anxiety rather than peace of mind, I'm not even sure that video was necessary as we were constantly looking at the screen every time he rolled over and maybe without that we would have just waited for him to wake up. But it's a very personal choice what to do.

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DappledThings · 19/05/2021 07:52

We got the cheapest possible. The Motorola audio only one they sell in Argos. An excellent decision since we have dropped and broken two of them and left another one behind in a holiday rental so replacing them hasn't been too annoying or expensive.

Never felt we needed anything fancier.

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user7891011 · 19/05/2021 08:56

Another vote for BT 6000 :)

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TheCraicDealer · 19/05/2021 10:38

We have a Nanit, which is bloody brilliant but pricey. You get sleep tracking analytics free for the first year which is pretty cool (unless you have a poor sleeper, in which case it would be a recipe for anxiety!). The picture is great, you get notifications on your phone when they wake up or make a substantial noise, it can play white noise through its integral speaker, you can pair it with your Amazon devices and if you get the travel stand you can bring it with you on trips- it's literally just a camera on a cord with a plug.

They're dear but they frequently have discounts on their website. We got ours 20% off.

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Tee20x · 22/05/2021 12:48

Hi guys,

Thanks for your responses, my app has been playing up for some reason so have only just seen them now!

Yes I have heard that they can be more anxiety provoking but I think personally for me the option of just being able to have a quick look every now and again would be reassuring.

@TheCraicDealer I have looked at the Nanit & agree that it looks great but is rather pricey. When on their website a few weeks ago I saw they were doing the 20% off.

What camera have you got? The wall mount or the one that stands over the cot?

I have seen the travel one too which looks as if it can be placed on a bedside table for around £50 - though I am wondering whether this is just the stand and not a camera too?

Another question - atm DD is co-sleeping but will nap in a next 2 me which is really what I want it for so that I can get jobs done while she sleeps.

Where do you all position your monitors for optimal viewing?

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TheCraicDealer · 22/05/2021 21:59

We got the stand as we had it initially over her bedside cot in our room, and then we moved it (along with her!) into her own room at six months. It's still on the stand but you can remove the back leg which allows you to fix it to the wall. We've just used command strips. The camera itself is obviously mounted right above her cot and there's zero blind spots.

Yes you're right the travel stand is just the stand- it's dear like and you could comfortably skip it!

DSis has never had a monitor for her two ("our baby monitor is an open door") but sound doesn't travel much in our house, so I've found it useful. DD (19mos) is loaded with the cold right now and it's really comforting for me being able to check on her throughout the night without disturbing her. I think it's different to monitors with a seperate parent unit where the video is showing constantly and it creates the temptation to sit and stare at it- with ours you get a push notification on your phone if movement or sound is detected which prompts you to look.

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CoalCraft · 22/05/2021 23:00

I would have gotten a video one but DH is paranoid security conscious and was uncomfortable with the idea. We have a BT audio-only one and it's great with really good range. Assuming their video one is of similar quality I'd say go with that.

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Kimblebee19 · 23/05/2021 14:37

We have a Kodak Cherish and really like it. Wasnt that fussed about having one with video before we got it but now we have it I dont know how id be without it. I'd be up and down half the night checking in on him otherwise! Great to be able to move the camera around, zoom and have a little look, and having the app to use as handset can be handy too. In the early days it was good to check how many times id got up to feed him in the night and track times etc. It has the option to talk through the camera too, which will probably be more handy when older and playing in room on his own. Plays white noise/lullabyes too although havent really used that function. It also has the option to add additional cameras on the same handset for future kids, which is good now baby no.2 on the way. Best thing to do is check out all the features monitors can have, decide which ones matter to you and then choose one which covers those bases.

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Tee20x · 23/05/2021 22:06

@CoalCraft was your DH fearful of the camera potentially being hacked? Is this something that happens frequently - I have seen news stories about it but haven't actually read up on it properly which I probably should do.

@Kimblebee19 thanks for this - I don't think I've seen that one before so I'll have a look!