hi
we used a monitor sensor monitor when bub was very young (more peace of mind for me) but as he got older and starting moving about the cot the sensor pad would go off cos he wasn't sleeping over it.

So i pulled out the video monitor DH had bought of zazz.com.au or dealsdirect or one of those bargain sites. It only cost about $40 i think and the camera is a flower that you just clip near the cot. and it's infrared - so sees in the dark and light.

I have found this a very very education tool to see what my little manipulator is doing!!! ie crying blue murder while bouncing up and down and waving his sooky rag above his head in a carefree manner... crying, stopping, looking at the door, crying, looking at the door... hmmm!

It has certainly changed the way i deal with bub and I find it interesting how he puts himself to sleep now! he bounces, and calls out and talks and carries on for ages then all the sudden is asleep. Before the monitor i would have been going in there ocnstantly and disturbing him, now i steer clean unless he is really calling for me.

Personally I love my monitor BUT we didn't pay a fortune and it's one of those things that once you've used it you'd miss it but if you never had it, then it's easy to live without.

i've seen them in the shops for $300 or more - I wouldn't buy one for that price!

our brand is swann - it's not flash, just monitor and sound. but does the job.
h that helps.