baby monitors....are they an essential?

[bugalug]

hi all

Was looking at baby monitors on the weekend, and with all the various types and brands out there was wondering if they are an absolute must?? Bubs room is right next to ours, but I see it that it would be a great thing to have if i'm doing washing or whatever outside.

What are your suggestions?? Do you have any particular brand that you like/dislike?

Looking forward to hearing ur ideas!!

[Becci]

I don't see them as a necessity but I guess it all depends on how your house is designed and what your needs are.
When I had ds 12 years ago my clothes line was a fair way from ds' bedroom so I liked to take a monitor with me when I went out there. I was lucky that my db bought one for me as a Baby Shower gift.
In this house the nursery backs onto right where the clothes line is so not such a necessity, but I still have the monitor from ds and it still works fine so I will have it plugged in for when I need it.

[Ginger]

they are very helpful- we tend to use it late at night if ds is asleep in bed and we're out in the living room watching tv as we can't hear him crying over the tv noise without the moniter.
we have the 'tomy walkabout premier' and so far it has been fantastic.

[smally]

I've got the Angelcare Monitor and I love it. Like you, my bub's room is next door so I was sure I'd be able to hear her, but having the monitor just makes extra sure. We're in a unit, so I don't want her to cry too long in the night for the sake of the neighbours.

Also this one senses movement, which gave me lots of peace of mind when she first started sleeping for longer stretches. Even when she is really deeply asleep it senses her breathing. Obsessive maybe! I don't worry about the movement thing so much now, but was really good at the beginning when I was new to all this!!

[Lukesmum]

I have used one with both my DS. I wouldn't go without it. It is a must for us because our kitchen where we spend all our time is along way from the bedrooms and we can't hear a thing. I just used it about an hour ago when I was carrying the shopping up, getting the clothes off the line and cleaning out the car. I even take it to check the mail. We use ours all the time. I also have it on all night. A lot of people don't use them though. It's a matter of house layout and how often you spend outside etc

[ShootingStar]

I dont think they are a must no. We didnt have one for DS. Only reason we have one now for our second baby on the way is so we can shut her door so she hopefully wont wake DS during the night.
Its funny.. even though our bedroom is some distance from the kids rooms.. you just have this instinct thing that wakes you up when they need you. I use to be the heaviest sleeper.. sleep through anything.. but i always wake for DS without fail.

[Visitor7]

It's a personal choice really. We have an Angelcare monitor which I used with Nina, and now using with Emily. I like to have the peace of mind that everything is ok. We now have a basic sound only monitor in Nina's room as both girls' doors are shut, and we have no chance of hearing them in the middle of the night, as they're on the other side of the house.

[DiannaQ]

I have the Angel Care Sound and Movement monitor - by far the best investment I have made - it gave me peace of mind knowing that it could pick up even the slightest of movements and breaths - admitedly I never really used the parents monitor but each to there own I say...

[bugalug]

thanks ladies for all ur comments, I think we may end up getting one as our house is two story (its the old beachcomber style, on stilts IYKWIM) so would be very handy when doing washing and outside.

thanks for mentioning the brands & styles you have 2 - the movement one sounds great, i think we would greatly appreciate that piece of mind considering this is our first bub and we will probably be up checking every 5 minutes anyway!!

thanks again - some great reading

[JellyBean]

I recieved a fisher-price one as a gift which we used when bub was first born as we were living in a double story and he slept upstairs. Now that we are in our new house and he sleeps in the next room with the door open, we haven't used it once. I still manage to hear every noise he makes- and as baby monitors amplify every sound- we really couldn't handle any more noise!! Plus, as Kell said, you will find your mother instinct is stronger than you think. I seem to always wake about 5 mins before bub- its bizzare. They start to stir long before they cry and I've got bub on the boob before he even has the chance to wake-up fully and cry!! Another thing to consider is that baby monitors omit radiation which can be harmful for bub. Apparently there is a device that you can purchase to minimise the radiation.
However, if you feel that you will have difficulty hearing bub during the day from one end of the house to the other- than you will find a monitor useful.