baby monitors - any suggestions?

[Emmykate82]

Hi everyone,

I am nesting like crazy (i vaccuum the same room up to 3 times per day.. and have never previously voluntarily vaccummed!!!) and am getting the finishing bits and pieces together before my bub comes along.

Have realised that i am still without a few small things like a pram raincover (do i plan on walking her in the rain?) and shadecover (is there anything wrong with just dangling a muslin wrap over the hood of the pram?) and a baby monitor. Now this is where i am stuck: - Roger Armstrong Sleep Easy?? Tommee Tippee?? Fisher Price SOund n Lights?? my goodness there is some choice. I was just going to get something second hand but have no idea what to look for.. Any suggestions would be fab.

We only have a smallish 3 b/r house - although we spend a fair bit of time in the garage and backyard with the dogs.. so ideally want something with decent range and minimal interference. Nights aren't an issue because for the first few months bub will be sharing our room whilst in her cradle.

If anyone has any suggestions, or ones to stay clear of, that would be awesome and much appreciated.

[MamaPan]

i got the roger armstrong first up and it was terrible! i got it as it was CHOICE recommended and it had bad interference etc. my BIL and SIL also got it and found the same thing... we all got rid of it within 1 month...
I then bought an angelcare for DS1 - and we love it. but i dont think you want the sensor pads etc?
for a normal sound monitor we just bought the oricon digital monitor and it is wonderful, no interference or even buzzing etc. it has amobile parents unit too which is great if you are going into diff rooms/outside etc when bubs is asleep. i love it. you can also see room temp on the parents unit and i think it plays music etc if you want to (havent used this) and has a night light (havent used this)

[feeb]

I love angel care sound and movement!

handset tell u temperature of room also.

Pram cover i have rain and UV one as baby can see out still without getting wet or sunburnt.

good luck

[Emmykate82]

Thanks preagainpan!!!
I was totally considering the Roger Armstrong because of the choice recommendation... but will steer clear now.
I have heard angelcare is unreal.. and am strongly considering forking out the dosh for the digital one with the sensor pads and the temp display and sound monitor... i am a little OCD and suffer badly with anxiety/depression normally.. so figure this peace of mind might be invaluable when i first bring bub home (otherwise i can just see myself never sleeping as i watch bub breathe all night long).
I am going to have a look into the oricom one now.
Many thanks for your advice. Gosh, what would i do without these forums?

[Emmykate82]

thanks feeb.. i'm now back on the angelcare bandwagon!!!! just wished it was a little less expensive.. with me finished up at work and on UNPAID maternity leave until January (totally sucks) and DH recently losing his job and doing some casual work currently in a completely unrelated field.... anyways, i think it is worth it in the long run for peace of mind.
Cheers.

[MamaPan]

oh i am like that too and i def found it worthwhile for peace of mind... it was VERY hard to give it up when we moved DS1 into a bed! i think it is money well spent!
The oricom doesnt have mvt sensors... it is sound only but is great if thats what you are after.

[helle]

Both my SIL's have the angelcare sound and movement monitor with the temp display and LOVE them.

[Emmykate82]

OKIES... so just found a second hand AC301 angel care monitor with sensor pads, temp display and sound monitor on ebay for $130 buy it now??? that seems reasonable to me. how bout you guys?

[helle]

The ones I have seen (not sure if they are the AC301 one) with the sound and movement monitors are around 280, so I say fo shizzle! Buy it now baby!

[Emmykate82]

THanks Teagz,
'fo shizzle' - i luv it
I bought it! WOOHOO
Now of course my mother (from hell) is now telling me how so and so at work says they are absolutely useless and go off all the time etc etc.... i'm like, everybody swears by them, maybe she has the thing set too sensitive or is using a fan or something at the same time... Gosh my mother would find something negative to say about anything i do! grrrr.
However, I AM HAPPY WITH MY PURCHASE...

THanks all for your advice.

[helle]

THanks Teagz,
'fo shizzle' - i luv it
I bought it! WOOHOO
Now of course my mother (from hell) is now telling me how so and so at work says they are absolutely useless and go off all the time etc etc.... i'm like, everybody swears by them, maybe she has the thing set too sensitive or is using a fan or something at the same time... Gosh my mother would find something negative to say about anything i do! grrrr.
However, I AM HAPPY WITH MY PURCHASE...

THanks all for your advice.

My SIL has had one go off once randomly about... 5 years ago. And I'm not ever sure if it was an angelcare one, and I'm pretty sure it was a set up issue. I think they would have come along way since then, anyway. My other SIL who has a 12 month old has had no trouble with hers what so ever. My MIL traditionally buys baby monitors for your first baby and this is was she reckons she's getting for us!