Baby monitors

[PrincessWatermelon]

Hi,

I have looked in the Product Review section, but there is precious little traffic. So I wondered if I could ask advice here instead!

Planning on buying a baby monitor for our first, and not sure where to start...

Video - Godsend or PITA? Is it worth getting?

Any particular model that has been really impressive (or not!)?

Anything that I should especially look out for?

Thanks.

We got a tommee tippee monitor (not video) with sensor mat which beeps an alarm if DD stops moving./breathing for 20 secs or more - really wouldn't want to be without it. some people say they create more worry but I just feel reassured.

VWe got a BT Baby Monitor 150 from Amazon. It's got different sensitivity settings, from hear every whimper from your LO to less so for monitoring your snoring toddler . It also has talk back for reassuring baby when they're fussing as you're just finishing in the shower!!

I personally never felt the need for a video or mat-type monitor. I was happy enough listening out for cries.

We have a Tomy TD300 monitor. It has all the functions we need, and use, and no more. I would definately recommend it. Movement alarms aren't necessary and can cause lots of false alarms and I can't see why you'd want video.

we also have the BT monitor, its great and all you need. DS1 is a very poor sleeper and we bought a video monitor so we wouldn't go in if he hadn't lost his dummy- what a stress that was! I was off my seat every two minutes to get a good view of the screen. Total unnecessary. I think a simple monitor is all you need, the baby will be downstairs with you whilst really tiny and then in your room at night until you decide otherwise!

Glad you started this topic because I need to know exactly the same :)

I got an angelcare movement monitor after Ds was poorly BUT I would recommend just getting a big standard digital monitor as the movement ones do make you paranoid to an extent - they are great when you need that extra reassurance but in most case not needed if that makes sense!

Hi princess we have a really cheap Fisher Price monitor which we will be using again this time round. It's very basic, and literally just let's you listen to the baby. However, I found it so sensitive we could even hear her breath on it! Maybe it depends on how big your house is and how thick the walls are as to how reliant on a monitor you'd be. We have a modern 4 Bed and this monitor was perfect.

Hi princess, I let my DH choose ours. We have an angelcare video monitor with sensor mat. Paranoid first timers! Guy in John Lewis says you can't go wrong with bt or angelcare v

another vote for BT150

its the best monitor i have ever used (and i have used lots nannying)

I was recommended it by a few of my nanny (now mummy) friends, and I was not disappointed... i have since recommended it to a few other people, and i dont know anyone who hasnt been delighted with it.

If you dont feel the need for videos or sensor mats then i recommend this one

it is also a which top best buy... BT have made some newer models, but this one seems to have better features, and be superior to the newer models (though i havent done any research on this since sept 2011)

I'm very happy with our Angelcare movement sensor monitor. It probably wasn't necessary but we are both worriers and 'is she still breathing??' types. We haven't had any false alarms.

I've got a Tomy with video and IMO it is a great feature, ok you don't need video but it's great to just have a quick glance if the monitor picks up a sound so you can see if they need something or are just turning over.

DPIL bought us a really expensive VTECH one with all sorts of rubbish music and unnecessary features. It was meant to be able to used with batteries as well as being plugged in etc etc. It was rubbish and after about 14 months started showing an error code that is not explained anywhere.

I went to Argos and bought the cheapest on offer. This one has been great!

Thanks folks. I have read good things on MN about the BT150. Will need to see if its available anywhere still, as newer models have replaced it.

Personal preference on sensor mats and videos, I guess.