Baby care electronic devices

A comprehensive monitoring system is made available

Baby monitoring devices have different uses. There are audio monitors and these send out continuous transmission of sounds coming from inside the baby’s room or nursery. This way, all the sounds the baby will make will be heard from a distance through the supplied transceiver, a device that typically looks like a walkie-talkie.

There are video monitors as well. These devices, on the other hand, function much like surveillance cameras and transmit real-time video feeds. This way, both the baby’s movements and sounds will be heard and seen from a distance through the supplied screen display.

Of course, there are baby movement monitors and these devices work by keeping track of baby’s breathing movements. These also trigger really audible alarms when no movement is detected within a given time period.

All these contraptions, when used in conjunction with the other, make for a very comprehensive and very efficient monitoring of a baby. This way, we parents don’t have to be constantly beside our babies. We can be in another room performing household chores or working in the home office, confident that we’ll be constantly and timely updated of our baby’s condition.

Each device acts as a backup to the other

Using two or three monitors simultaneously is also a smart thing to do if you really want to make sure of uninterrupted monitoring every time. Such is crucial especially if you live in an area where power outages occur. If you have multiple monitors set up, say, an electricity-powered video-audio monitor and a battery-run baby movement monitor, should the former fail due to a blackout, the latter will still deliver as it does not rely on mains power to function.

Such an extensive monitoring system is necessary when caring for a particularly vulnerable child

Infants below one-year of age require constant video-audio and movement monitoring. But such is even more vital if your baby is specifically susceptible to SIDS. If your child has been born premature, underweight, or perhaps suffering from conditions that increase the risk of breathing problems, then the more reason you should assemble and use all these baby care devices. This way, should your baby suddenly encounter an attack, you’ll be alerted immediately so that you get to perform the necessary intervention to help save your child’s life.

You’ll have peace of mind even if you delegate baby’s care to a childminder

Much as you’d like to stay with your newborn baby, there will come a time when you’ll need to get back to work. If such is the case, then you’ll have more peace of mind knowing that you’ll be leaving baby to the hands of a capable carer who’s supported by a handful of efficient electronic monitoring devices too.

We parents will always be anxious of our children’s safety and wellbeing. The best thing about being a worrier though is that it gives us the opportunity to concretely act on our concerns. And use of these baby care devices, from the video-audio monitors to the baby movement monitors, helps guarantee that the careful watch and utmost attention will be given to our precious children at all times.

Baby movement monitors

Two Basic Designs

Baby movement monitors come in two basic designs. The first one is the under-the-mattress type which comes with sensor pads that are meant to be placed beneath the bed or mat where infant will sleep.

The second type is a relatively newer design and these are called the clip-on baby movement monitors. And just like the name implies, these gadgets are smaller and more compact and they are typically clipped onto the baby’s clothes, particularly into the diaper waistband.

Basic Differences

Clip-on and under-the-mattress baby movement monitors have a handful of differences and these are:

1. Size. Clip-on types have been designed to be compact and mobile. This is why most of these brands are lightweight and can very well fit in the palm of a hand. Under-the-mattress designs, on the other hand, typically come with a number of separate components. Normally, these assemblies come with nursery units which are usually like the size of a handheld household appliance, like a small radio for example. Under-the-mattress assemblies also come with sensor pads and these are as thick as a typical laptop. Lastly, these types of baby movement monitors come with transceivers, usually two, and each unit is as big as a normal mobile phone.

2. Placement. Clip-ons are normally attached onto the child’s diaper waistband. The other type, on the other hand, requires that its sensor pads to be assembled underneath the mat or bed.

3. Sensor Design. Clip-ons are normally equipped with intricate sensor systems and all these are contained within the handheld device. The sensors of the under-the-mattress baby movement monitors, on the other hand, are encased within the pads. Both sensor constructions are efficient. However, the under-the-mattress assemblies feature more controls for settings configuration, thus enabling tweaking of the sensor pads’ sensitivity levels.

Advantages of Using Clip-Ons

Clip-on baby movement monitors are very popular and it is such for very good reasons.

1.    Mobility. Perhaps the most notable feature of these types of baby movement monitors would be mobility.Being small and lightweight, such allow parents to perform baby movement monitoring even while on the go.

2.    Use for Co-Sleeping. Because these monitors are positioned really close to the baby’s body, that is, just right above the abdominal area, independent monitoring is then made possible. So the child can readily share the bed with other siblings, and parents can still get to rely on accurate reading.

Benefits of Utilizing Under-the-Mattress Assemblies

These movement monitors may be viewed by others as bulky and rather complicated to set up. However, these very same reasons enable the under-the-mattress types to deliver the maximum performance at all times. And these are just some of the benefits you’ll get to obtain when you opt for this design.

• Highly Programmable Device. As was mentioned, these types of baby movement monitors come with a handful of controls to allow tweaking of its various settings. Aside from having controls for setting sensor pad sensitivity levels, alarm time and even audible alarm volumes can be configured too.

• Supplementary Features. Some of these units come built in with nifty nightlights. So if your baby is the type who gets awaken by sudden opening of main room lights, then you will definitely find the feature handy. Room thermometers are smart add-ons on some brands too. Some even allow setting of temperature ranges and issue an alarm whenever temperatures go way up or down the identified limits.

Baby movement monitors, especially brands manufactured by long-established baby care device makers, are backed by sufficient after-sale support. So should you face any problem with your unit, you can always place a call to the customer hotline for assistance. And perhaps the greatest thing, aside from the crucial monitoring it provides, is that these products are quite reasonably priced considering the purpose they serve. For a little over $100, you get a gadget that will help you watch over and guard your darling child from SIDS during the delicate stage of infancy.

Baby movement monitors

How These Devices Work

Baby movement monitors function by recording vibrations. This is made possible by the highly sensitive sensors that are rigged within these devices. The sensors perform an uninterrupted detection of vibrations, and when none are recorded, the alert systems then trigger audible alarms, or continuous flashing lights, or both, to warm parents that the monitored baby failed to move within a given period of time.

Typical Designs These Gadgets Come In

Baby movement monitors are sold in an array of constructions and designs. However, these devices come in two major types, namely the clip-on and the under-the-mattress types.

The clip-on types, much like the name suggests, are baby movement monitors that are designed to be lightweight and mobile. Also, these typically attach onto the articles of clothing worn by the monitored infants.

Under-the-mattress designs, on the other hand, are baby movement monitors that come with sensor pads. These pads require to be positioned stably, and ideally, permanently too, under the bed or sleeping mat of the child who needs to be monitored.

Use For Co-Sleeping

Clip-on types deliver more reliable movement monitoring especially in cases where the baby shares a bed with parents or other siblings. Since the clip-on monitor stays attachedonto the child’s article of clothing, which in this case is normally on the diaper waistband, then only the baby’s up and down tummy movements are detected and nothing more.

Under-the-mattress baby movement monitors, on the other hand, are not advisable for use during co-sleeping arrangements. Bear in mind that the sensor pads will detect all types of vibrations that come from atop the mattress, whether or not these come from the baby. So if baby shares the bed, with say, another sibling, and baby stops breathing for whatever reason, then the monitor won’t sound off the alarm since vibrations coming from the baby’s sibling is still being recorded.

Most Common Settings

A number of manufacturers produce baby movement monitors right now. This of course makes available a handful of different product features to consumers as well, and the most notable ones are:

1.    Time Settings. Both the clip-on and under-the-mattress baby movement monitors come built in with time controls. Such enables tweaking of the time it will take for the device to set off the alarm in the event of non-movement. Normally, the default factory configurations of these devices are set to alarm after no movement is recorded within 20 seconds. But there are some brands which allow setting the time to as early as 15 seconds.

2.    Vibration Stimulus. Another useful setting worth mentioning is the presence of vibration stimulus. Baby movement monitors that are built in with this feature set off vibrations whenever non-movement within a set period is recorded. This way, the monitored baby can be roused from sleep so as to prod him or her to resume breathing again. But bear in mind though that not all brands feature this. Under-the-mattress types are definitely not equipped with the rouse stimulus, and only a handful of mobile clip-on brands showcase such design.

Add-Ons

Some manufacturers have designed their baby movement monitors to feature additional settings which definitely come in handyon a daily basis.Some of the most notable of the supplementary settings are:

1.    Room Thermometer. The brand Angelcare comes equipped with a room thermometer. Plus this feature allows setting of desired temperature ranges.Should temperature in the baby’s nursery go out of the configured range, an alarm will trigger notifying the parent of such.

2.    Night Light. Another convenient feature and one which comes in the Angelcare brand again is the night light.The night light on Angelcare’s nursery unit automatically switches onwhen the entire assembly is powered. Such is useful as it minimizes the need to turn on the main lights in the room whenever checking in on baby during the middle of the night.

We parents have been kept awake with worry because of SIDS. But this need not have to be the case anymore as we can always turn to baby movement monitors to aid us in watching over our precious children.

Assess Where You’ll Need Most Of The Monitoring Performed

As you probably already know, baby movement monitors come in two basic designs. There are the good old fashioned under-the-mattress units that require set up of a number of components to enable monitoring inside baby’s crib. These models need to be assembled permanently so lugging them around whenever you bring along your child is definitely out of the question.

There are also the more compact clip-on versions of these gadgets. Because these have been constructed to attach onto baby’s diaper, mobile monitoring is then made possible.

Now, you can always get a unit of each design. But if you’re working around a limited budget, then you’ll need to evaluate where you will need most of the movement tracking done. If you rarely bring your baby with you, say to daily errands, or maybe your child has a carer thus eliminating the need to bring him or her along, then perhaps the permanent under-the-mattress set up would be a good choice.

But if you need a device that can be carried around with baby, then the mobile clip-on designs might be worth considering.

Decide On The Features That You Need Most

Different brands showcase different features. But here are some of the most notable oneswhich you might find useful:

•    Rouse Stimulus. This is a feature present in the Snuza Halo brand. It works by triggering vibrations that are meant to wake baby up after a certain period of non-movement is recorded by the device.

•    Time Settings. The normal default time settings before the device will alarm after non-movement is at 20 seconds. But most brands now allow setting the time to as early as 12 seconds.

•    Audible Alarm. Of course, you’d want nothing else but a brand with the loudest possible alarm.

•    Sensor Design. Most under-the-mattress models allow tweaking of the sensor pads’ sensitivitylevels. Such is not available with the clip-on ones though.

•    Power Source. Under-the-mattress models typically require mains power. Clip-on types, on the other hand, are usually battery-powered.

•    Ancillary Features. Some brands showcase additional handy functionalities. There are models that come rigged with nifty nightlights. There are those that come equipped with room thermometers as well.

Determine If Device Will Be Utilized For Co-Sleeping Arrangements

If your baby sleeps alone on a separate bed, then you might want to consider the under-the-mattress type. But if baby shares the crib with siblings, or if he or she sleeps on your bed as well, then you should choose the clip-on version. This is because you won’t be guaranteed with accurate readings with under-the-mattress models. Such will detect all movements and vibrations, meaning, even those that come from the other persons that share the bed with the monitored child.

Decide If The Gadget Will Be Used For Future Children

If you’re a brand new parent, then perhaps adding a new member to the family is the farthest in your mind right now. But if you think you’ll be having more children in the future, then you might want to consider buying a brand which you will be able to surely use in the future. And durability is not the only consideration in this case. You also need to choose brands which allow extended use. This isn’t that much of an issue with under-the-mattress models. But if you’ll be purchasing the clip-on types, make sure that it allows convenient battery replacement.

Determine How Much You’d Be Willing To Pay For The Device

Set a budget and canvass brands accordingly on the web. Under-the-mattress baby movement monitors start at around $90 while clip-on models start at around $80.

It would be advisable to access as much end user reviews as you can from the web. The inputs of other parents will be very helpful as they already have a firsthand experience as to the performance of each brand of baby movement monitor.

Baby movement monitors

1.    Use a diaper size that snugly fits your child’s waist. Cordless baby movement monitors such as Snuza Halo or Snuza Go are meant to be attached onto the diaper waistband. This is so the device’s sensor tipis positioned close to the child’s tummy to precisely detect breathing movements. Of course, a snugly fitting diaper is crucial to ensure accurate detection. So always use the correct size diaper when using mobile or clip-on baby movement monitor types.

2.    Protect the sensor tips. Most mobile baby movement monitors utilize sensors that are sheathed in soft rubber. Needless to say, the electronics underneath the rubber encasing are lined with fine wires. Avoid damage to the wires by not folding the sensor tip. This way, false alarms will not be unnecessarily triggered.

3.    Avoid damage tothe electronics by practicing proper cleaning. Baby movement monitors use complicated electronics that can easily be ruined when not handled correctly. So when cleaning the apparatus, make sure to use only the correct cleaning materials and methods. Do not needlessly get the device wet as such could cause it to short-circuit. Use only a soft towel, preferably microfiber, slightly dampened with mild soap, to wipe the surface clean.

4.    Ensure a stable and firm base for the under-the-mattress type movement monitors. Baby movement monitors that utilize sensor pads require an even and steady base to function correctly. So if you purchased an under-the-mattress apparatus, ensure that its sensors will be set atop a plywood or stiff cardboard base.

5.    Use a mattress recommended by the manufacturer of your under-the-mattress brand monitor. Under-the-mattress baby movement monitors function best when used with bed mats or pads that are just about the correct thickness. Use a mattress that is too thick and the device will not be able to detect any movement and trigger false alarms. Utilize one with springs and the movement monitor might record wrong readings too. So ensure you know what the recommended mattress type and thickness is and use accordingly with your under-the-mattress baby movement monitor.

6.    Configure the sensitivity levels of the sensors. Some baby movement monitor brands such as Angelcare feature programmable sensitivity levels of the sensors. So whenever encountering false alarm problems, try setting the sensor sensitivity to a higher level first before doing any drastic troubleshooting.

7.    Ensure cords are unobstructed. Some baby movement monitor brands, particularly the under-the-mattress ones, require mains power supply to function. When using these types of apparatuses in your baby’s nursery, make sure nothing gets in the way of the cords so that the electrical connections won’t be compromised.

8.    Opt to devise a specially made case for the sensor pads. Babies start to get physically active when they reach three months. This could then cause the sensor pads to get dislodged thus setting off the alarm unnecessarily. If such is the case, you can eliminate the false alarms by putting the sensor pads in a custom-made case. This way, the pads stay in place no matter how squirmy baby gets during sleep.

False alarms on baby movement monitors can be annoying. But this just goes to show how effective these devices are as they function just exactly the way they have been designed to. Of course, no one would want to be unnecessarily distressed. So follow these pointers and you’ll be assured of only the most accurate readings from your baby movement monitor every single time.

Shopping for baby movement monitors

Angelcare

Angelcare is one of the most sought after brands right now.As a matter of fact, it is the most preferred by parents who require monitoring in a fixed position, that is, inside the crib or bed. Below are the most crucial features this brand showcases:

•    Sensor Pads Fine-Tuning. Angelcare comes with two highly efficient sensor pads. The detection system of these pads is so effective that their sensitivity levels can be regulated. Such functionality is crucial as it helps make sure that false alarms are kept at a minimum always.

•    Ticking Sound Setting. Aside from counting on the device to alert us in case our children fail to move, we parents would also like to be constantly updated of our babies’ breathing. Such is possible with the Angelcare through its ticking sound feature. It can be set on the device so that it outputs ticking sounds to indicate baby’s continued breathing movements. If the ticking stops, then it means the baby has ceased from moving too. This feature is crucial as it let’s us constantly “hear” our babies’ every move and vibration.

•    Dual Power Source. The Angelcare’s main component which is the nursery unit can be plugged into a mains power source. It can also be set with regular AAA batteries. This way, the device will still continue with the movement monitoring even if there is a power outage in your area.

Snuza Halo

Snuza Halo comes from the leading manufacturer of bio-sensory devices Biosentronics. Snuza Halo is perhaps the most sought after among the many mobile baby movement monitors right now. With so many handy functionalities aside from movement monitoring, it is no wonder this is the case.

•   Rouse Stimulus. What sets this brand apart from its counterparts is its rouse stimulus feature. It works by releasing gentle vibrations designed to stir baby to breathe again should non-movement be detected by the gadget.

•    Really AudibleAlarm. This baby movement monitor features one of the most efficient alarm systems in the market right now. Its sound alarm is really loud that it can be heard even if you’re in the basement, drowned by the washer’s constant hum.

•    Mobility. Of course, Snuza Halo has been mainly designed and engineered to enable reliable baby movement monitoring even while on the go.

•   Independent Monitoring. And because of its placement in the diaper waistband, separate monitoring is then enabled. So if baby needs to share the bed with older siblings, you can rest easy knowing that your infant child is still being monitored.

Snuza Go

This is Biosentronics’ basic baby movement monitor design. Aside from being slightly cheaper than Snuza Halo, Snuza Go is noted for a number of its nifty functionalities too.

•    Programmable Time. The Snuza Go’s time settings can be easily configured to 15 seconds or 18 seconds if you want to. This way, you can set the sound alarm to trigger earlier than the normal 20-second threshold.

•    Mobility. Snuza Go has also been devised to enable mobile baby movement monitoring. So you can bring baby anywhere with you, and rest easy knowing that your precious child still gets the monitoring he or she needs.

•    Independent Monitoring. Snuza Go’s placement in the baby’s diaper waistband enables separate monitoring too. So baby can co-sleep with other siblings in the crib, or share the bed with you and your partner, and still be monitored reliably during the rest of the night.

As with any purchase, it is crucial that you first evaluate your particular requirements and demands and ensure that these are present in the brand and model you acquire. Utilize the Internet to help you better shop around. This way, you need not have to physically go to the store just to check out each and every brand’s features and price.

Sudden infant death syndrome has long been claiming the lives of hapless infants. And the scariest and most disturbing thing about this is that until now, medical experts are still at a loss as to what truly causes it. So we can all stay half awake everyday and watch over our children while they sleep in their cribs, or we can make use of ingenious gadgets designed to aid us in monitoring their breathing movements. These gadgets are none other baby movement monitors.

These devices abound in the market right now. Some are portable models while others are the more complicated assemblies. Prices vary greatly too making choosing all the more difficult, especially for new parents who are still inexperienced as to the use and function of these contraptions.

So before anything else, check the features present in each monitor first. The more the features, the more reliable the monitoring will be. You can check out brands which have rouse functions. These baby movement monitors not only keep track of baby’s tummy and chest breathing movements, but these are ones that trigger vibrations to stimulate baby to breathe should non-movement be detected.

There are baby movement monitors which enable tweaking of the sensor’s sensitivity levels as well. Such a feature is crucial as it helps guarantee precise movement detection, and aids in reducing false alarms too.

Baby movement monitors that come equipped with handy ancillary features wouldn’t hurt too. Some innovative models feature room thermometers on the device. Such will allow keeping track of the nursery’s temperatures to further ensure a safe and conducive environment for the child. Some monitors even come rigged with nightlights. So switching on the nursery’s main lights won’t be necessary whenever checking on baby during the middle of the night.

After scrutinizing the features, you need to make sure your brand of choice is easy to use. Sure, you can get the most expensive model out there, one that boasts of a thousand settings. But if the device is difficult to program much less operate, then you’ve got a real problem in your hands. One moment you know you’ve set the device to monitor your child’s breathing movements, only to find out later that you’ve done otherwise. You’ve not only wasted your money, but you have subjected yourself and your baby to unnecessary danger. So keep in mind ease of use too whenever choosing a baby movement monitor.

There are tons of online resources you can access to help you in your search for the most suitable model. You can check out forums or read online reviews made by parents who have tried the products first-hand. This way, you’ll have a good idea as to which brands are most preferred. You’ll even get useful tips on how to best use these gadgets. And you’ll have more peace of mind knowing that what you’re reading are ones written by fellow parents, people who are just as terrified of SIDS like you.

Bear in mind that baby movement monitors are not your typical consumer gadget product. So assessing whether or not to buy one for your child shouldn’t only involve scrutinizing the price. In the end, you’ll rest easier if you know you’ve obtained a device that’s cost-effective, one that’s reasonably priced yet delivers the most efficient movement monitoring vital for your baby’s life and your peace of mind too.

Baby movement monitors

1.    Advanced sensor technology is used.

The sensor is one of the most important mechanisms of a baby movement monitor. Without this, the device won’t be able to deliver its intended function. This is why it is very crucial that the sensor system is of high quality and efficient design always. The first indication would be the sensor’s sensitivity levels. It should be able to spot even the slightest and subtlest of vibrations. Secondly, the sensors should be equipped with specific controls that will allow the user to tweak the sensitivity levels. Having this feature helps ensure only the most accurate detection every time, plus helps eliminate false alarms as well.

2.    An efficient alarm system is provided.

Of course, you’d like to be alerted as soon as no movement is detected on your child. So for a baby movement monitor to be considered reliable, it has to be equipped with an alert system that triggers a really audible sound.

3.    If user convenience is provided.

Back in the day, only hospitals got to use baby movement monitors. For one, most of these assemblies were expensive. Also, most of these devices were complex machines that required complicated setup. But this isn’t the case now as more and more baby movement monitor brands have been designed with ease of use in mind. Now, these apparatuses can be assembled without much difficulty. Some don’t even require setup at all. Take the monitor out of the box, clip it into the baby’s diaper waistband, turn the device on, and you can start monitoring right away.

4.    Multiple controls are available to allow more intuitive programming.

We all have different baby movement monitoring needs. And one way to meet these diverse requirements would be through the multiple buttons or controls on the baby movement monitors. If such are present, then each of us parents will be given the ability to configure and tweak the settings according to our particular needs.

5.    Overall construction is sturdy.

Of course, durability is essential too. The device should be well sealed so that a fidgety baby won’t unnecessarily cause the device to pop open. The case housing the sensors should be well-built as well. Such is especially important for under-the-mattress sensors. These components will be constantly subjected to pressure as they will be positioned underneath baby’s sleeping pad. So the former should be adequately protected to ensure the sensors’ function won’t be compromised.

6.    Handy additional features are present.

Reliable baby movement monitors often are equipped with ancillary features that are really useful. There are some brands that feature a rouse stimulus. Baby movement monitors designed with this not only detect breathing movements and alert you when none has been sensed. Such monitors also provide vibrations which are strong enough to wake baby up should he or she stop moving for a given period of time. Settings that help promote better sleep are a good addition as well. A control that allows you to monitor the nursery’s temperatures would be a great example. If such is present, then you can rest easy knowing your baby’s in a room with the most favorable temperatures to help him or her sleep more soundly.

The good thing is that shopping for these devices is easier now with the Internet. Plus we parents get to easily access useful resources such as end user reviews online. This way, we really get to ascertain if our choice of baby movement monitor is really reliable before we even get to purchase it.

•    Movement Monitoring. Both Snuza Go and Angelcare feature state of the art design and engineering making them two of the most effective baby care devices right now.

•    Sensor Design. Snuza Go is a portable baby movement monitor. Its sensors are contained within the tip of the device itself. Angelcare, on the other hand, is a baby movement monitor that utilizes sensor pads.

•    Placement. Snuza Go, being a mobile baby care device, has been designed to attach quickly and easily into the baby’s diaper waistband. Simply make sure the device is positioned right atop the baby’s tummy when clipping it on to ensure precise detection every single time. Angelcare, meanwhile, requires that its sensor pads be placed on a rigid and level base prior to covering them with the mattress.

•    Mobile. Snuza Go can be used anywhere baby has to be. So you can bring your child any time with you and still get to count on the apparatus to monitor your infant’s breathing movements. Angelcare, on the other hand, requires assembling and placing in a permanent position. Its sensor pads have to permanently set underneath the mattress so lugging the device around with you and baby is out of the question.

•    Use for Co-Sleeping. Snuza Go is a good choice for co-sleeping arrangements. Since the device is positioned near the baby’s abdomen, then you can count on the device to pick up only the baby’s breathing movements. So if you have to monitor two or more babies, then you can do so by clipping a Snuza Go each into their diaper waistbands. Angelcare, meanwhile, is not meant for use on cribs or cots used for co-sleeping. This is because the sensor pads will pick up any movement atop the mattress. So say you sleep on the same bed with your child. If baby stops breathing for whatever reason, the monitor won’t trigger an alert of the incident since the device is still picking up vibrations that are coming from you.

•    Power Source. Snuza Go’s power comes wholly from the built in rechargeable battery. Also, the battery is meant to last for at least one year with continued use of 18 hours per day. It can be readily replaced by you for a reasonable cost of around $20 to $30. As with Angelcare, its nursery unit requires to be plugged into an electrical outlet. However, if you would like to have a backup power supply in case electrical outages occur, then you can put in regular AAA batteries into the nursery unit. The handheld transceiver called the parent’s unit, meanwhile, uses specially supplied NIMH batteries that can be recharged utilizing the provided cradle charger.

•    Programmable. Snuza Go sets off an alarm every time no movement is detected for 20 seconds. This is the default factory settings though. You can easily configure the device so that the alarm triggers after non-movement for 15 or 18 seconds. Angelcare, on the other hand, features a handful of settings which can be readily configured too. The sensor pads’ sensitivity levels can be easily changed to eliminate false alarms. The nursery unit is equipped with temperature controls as well. You can set the minimum and maximum temperatures and the unit will alert you in case the temperature goes out of the set range. The nursery unit comes built-in with a soothing nightlight as well. So the need to switch on the main lights during brief checks on the baby will no longer be necessary.

Its function

A baby movement monitor, just like its name suggests, is an apparatus equipped with sensors which have been programmed to detect even the slightest of vibrations. So when positioned in close proximity to the baby, the device will pick up the child’s breathing movements. If no movement is sensed, a very audible alarm will be set off. So should the baby cease from breathing for whatever reason, the parents or carer will be able to quickly attend to the baby to perform necessary intervention to save the latter’s life.

A variety of models

There are a handful of models and designs of baby movement monitors out in the market right now. There are the portable monitors and these are very popular among parents who need to bring their young children with them everywhere they go. These mobile baby movement monitors are very easy to use. Simply clip into the diaper waistband, switch the device on, and monitoring starts right away.

And you’ll be surprised as to the accuracy of these portable devices. Typically very small, yet are more than capable of tracking every movement of the baby. False alarms are very rare too because of the ideal placement of the gadget. So the baby can be in the car seat, with constant vibrations from the running vehicle, yet the device will only keep track of those movements that are generated by the child’s breathing.

Of course, there are also the bigger monitors. These contraptions are more popularly known as under-the-mattress baby movement monitors. And just like the name implies, the sensors, normally in the shape of thin square pads, are placed underneath the mattress where baby sleeps. As compared to their portable counterparts, the under-the-mattress types are of course more programmable. Some even come with handy features such as temperature controls, even built-in nightlights!

Well-known brands

Snuza is undoubtedly the most popular mobile baby movement monitor right now. Snuza has two models, namely the Snuza Halo and the Snuza Go. Both are handy and weigh only 30 grams each. Both are equipped with alarm systems that trigger really audible sounds. Both can be conveniently clipped into the diaper waistband as well. Snuza Halo features the rouse function. This works by releasing vibrations that attempt to wake baby up should there be absence of breathing movements for 15 seconds. Snuza Go, on the other hand, does not feature the rouse function. However, its timer can be configured to go off after 15 seconds, 18 seconds, or 20 seconds of non-movement.

Angelcare, meanwhile, is the well-loved under-the-mattress baby movement monitor brand. It comes with a nursery unit where all configuring of its various features are done. A parent’s unit, a hand-held device that receives readings from the nursery unit, is provided too. Of course, sensor pads, the ones that perform the movement detection and which are meant to be set underneath the mattress, are included with every purchase as well.

The cost of baby movement monitors go anywhere from $90 to a little over $100. Some might think that such a price range is a little too much, especially for a baby shower present. But if you think about it, you’ll be giving away a gift that says so much about your concern for your friends’ newborn. So all that extra expense should be well worth it knowing that you’ve provided your dear friends with a nifty gadget that will help them watch over their precious child.