Different Terms Used

The more traditional and common names for this disease are cot death or crib death, derived from its more likely occurring when the baby has been put to sleep. There are variations on its modern label ‘SIDS’ and the differences are based on which particular field is attempting to investigate the death and at what stage the investigation is progressing. Certain countries like Australia and New Zealand for example prefer to use SUDI or Sudden Unexplained Death in Infancy because coroners use the word ‘undetermined’ for cases that have unknown cause of death. Meanwhile the United State’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) use the more general term SUID or Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths because the cause is not immediately apparent before any investigation or study is executed.

History of SIDS

This phenomenon is not something new but its distinction as a separate disease has only been established recently. As far back as 2nd Century A.D., there are texts in surviving Greek medical writings that instruct mothers and wet-nurses not to fall asleep beside the infant for fear that they may accidentally roll on and suffocate the baby. This act was known as ‘overlaying’. At that time, it was the only acceptable cause which explained why a healthy infant would unexpectedly and peacefully die in sleep.

Sometime in the 19th Century, when medical science had gone through much advancement and clinical methodologies had become relatively more sophisticated, physicians began to look into respiratory ailments as a possible cause of sudden infant deaths. Then in the 1930’s, bacterial infection was also looked into. As study of the phenomenon progressed, more hypotheses of possible causes and contributing factors were brought to light and tested.

The first international conference on sudden infant death was held in Seattle, Washington in 1963. This marked a significant leap forward in terms of study and recognition of the disease in the medical field as well as awareness by the public. It was at the second conference in 1969 that the disease was formally defined and given the official name of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The proponent was Dr. Marie Valdes-Dapnea and it was her lecture titled ‘Progress in Sudden Infant Death Research’ that finally brought about this official recognition of the disease. Here, she presented nine theories that outlined the possible causes of SIDS studied up until that point. Although some of those theories have been disputed or disproved later on, her lecture was still considered a milestone in the history and research of the disease.

Contributing Factors

Exhaustive studies have been done and are being continued in the area of pediatrics but at the most only statistical correlations between specific factors and the disease are being discovered. Here are some of them:

• Time of day. SIDS usually occurs during sleep. According to a certain study, there’s a 50% chance of it happening between 12 – 8AM, 36% in the daytime 8 AM – 4 PM, and the least chance of occurrence at 14% between 4 PM – 12 AM.
• Climate. SIDS has been found out to be more prevalent in winter.
• Age. The disease happens to children aged 3 weeks to 1 year. The highest rate is said to be at 2-3 months old. In terms of the mother’s age, studies show that children of mothers aged 20 and below are more susceptible
• Gender. SIDS occurs at higher rate with male infants.
• Birth weight. Infants with low birth weights are revealed to be more vulnerable to the disease.
• Feeding. Infants that have been totally breast-fed are less likely to succumb to SIDS.
• Smoking. There’s a close correlation between mothers who smoke during and after pregnancy. The chances of their infants falling victim to SIDS increases with their amount of smoking.
• Drugs. Infants of mothers who have been treated with methadone or sleep affecting pharmaceuticals have a noticeable tendency to succumb to SIDS.
• Botulism. The botulinum bacteria have been implicated as the cause of 5% of sudden infant deaths.

To date SIDS remains a diagnosis of exclusion. No direct physiological or environmental causes have yet been uncovered conclusively.

SIDS

* Consult a doctor to help you come up with the most appropriate prenatal care program. Lack of proper prenatal care can result in baby’s low birth weight, an established risk factor for SIDS. So when you find out you’re expecting, seek the advice of a medical specialist at once. Doing so ensures that your yet unborn babywill get the suitable attention during this delicate stage in the womb.

*    Rule out smoking from your life.Secondhand smoke has been identified as one of the risk factors for SIDS. This being the case, it is crucial that you ensure your child does get exposed to the harmful substances that are present in cigarette smoke. And this applies to the early developmental stages of your child. This starts from when baby is still in your womb, up to at least his or her first year.

*    Make sure indoor air is clean and safe for baby. Ensure that regular checks and maintenance are conducted on your home’s HVAC system. This is to rule out any possibility of leaks of dangerous gaseous compounds which can be detrimental to human health. Also, doing so guarantees that molds won’t proliferate inside your home. Bear in mind that molds can cause bleeding on lungs of otherwise healthy adults. So just imagine the danger these microbes can pose to your very young and delicate baby.

*    Strengthen baby’s immune system by breastfeeding. A mother’s breast milk contains antibodies that help boost the baby’s immunity to illnesses. So if you can, breastfeed your child from birth up to at least 6 months. If you can’t, you can always express your milk and store it in clean feeding bottles.

*    Rule out exposure to bacterial infections. Some of the bodies of children who unfortunately died of SIDS have been found with unusually high levels of pathogens, specifically staph and E. coli. So perform all precautionary measures to make sure your baby doesn’t contract bacterial infections. Sterilize all of his or her personal effects, especially items that come in contact with the mouth such as feeding bottles and teethers.

*    Avoid putting baby to the prone sleeping position. Letting your child lay on his or her stomach during sleep increases the risk of SIDS as well. While the mechanics is not that clear, it seems that the chances of blocking airway passage is higher with this position than when baby sleeps on his or her back.

*    Assign a separate sleeping area for your baby. Co-sleeping arrangements, even with other young siblings, is not advised, as it increases the potential of blockage on baby’s airway passage too.

*   Ensure articles of clothing and beddings won’t accidentally smother your baby. Dress baby in properly fitting clothes always to rule out the possibility of the excess fabric accidentally choking baby.Use the appropriate size beddings at all times too.

*    Monitor the temperature in the nursery to ensure it’s within safety levels. It would be advisable to have a room thermometer set up in baby’s nursery. This is to ensure that baby sleeps only in the most favorable room temperature levels at all times.

*    Consult a health provider to help you identify baby’s allergies. Colds that don’t go away with the usual recommended medications should be taken care of at once. Such can be allergies of the severe types which can cause your baby’s system to shut down.

SIDS has been found to happen more during the night. So you can lose all the precious rest and sleep, or you can seek the assistance of an ingenious device to help you watch over your baby during these crucial hours. This is called a baby movement monitor. And just like its name suggests, it’s a gadget which you set up in close proximity to baby to monitor his or her breathing movements. Whenever non-movement is detected, you’ll be alerted at once so that you can perform the necessary intervention to save your precious child’s life.

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.

SIDS

During Pregnancy

A number of risk factors during pregnancy have been identified for SIDS. To ensure you minimize the chances of the syndrome from occurring when your child is born, keep in mind these things:

1. Pregnant women should not, at all costs, smoke at any time during the length of the pregnancy. The fetus’ exposure to nicotine seems to be the culprit in this case.

2. The pregnant women’s exposure to nicotine through second-hand smoke should be eliminated as well. So make sure no one in the household smokes, especially when in the same room with a woman who’s pregnant.

3. Delay in seeking prenatal care has been identified as one of the possible causes of SIDS too. So whenever pregnant, a woman should periodically see a doctor. This way, proper care and diet can be implemented to guarantee a healthier pregnancy, and ultimately,a healthier newborn as well.

After Birth

Once your baby is born, you must make sure to follow these pieces of advice to avoid SIDS from claiming the life of your beloved precious child.

1. Again, nicotine exposure is a big no-no. So do not, at all costs, smoke near or around the baby. If someone smokes in the household, ensure that the windows in the room where this person has smoked in have been opened to promote ventilation.

2.    Choose the materials where baby will sleep on. It would be best to use a firm mattress than a soft one. And use only a light sheet to cover the mattress. Ensure the edges have been tucked firmly into sides of the mattress when making the bed or the crib. This way, you won’t have to worry about your baby getting smothered by the sheets that have accidentally unraveled.

3. Avoid putting too many toys, especially stuffed animals, on the bed or in the crib. Your baby’s movements during sleep could unnecessarily cause the soft toys to smother him or her and possibly cause potentially fatal asphyxia.

4.    Minimize use of baby bouncers, strollers, and car seats whenever you can to avoid putting pressure on the back of your baby’s head.

5. Co-sleeping seems to increase the risk of SIDS so avoid sleeping in the same bed where baby sleeps. If you need to constantly monitor your child and want to be near him or her even during bedtime, then consider a crib placed inside your room instead.

6. Position your baby with his or her back against the bed. This position is the most favorable in terms of reducing risks of smothering, as compared to baby lying on the stomach, or sleeping on his or her side.

7.    Dress baby in light and properly fitting clothes. Doing so will ensure your child does not unnecessarily overheat or get suffocated with loose clothing.

8. Keep baby’s head clear of any obstruction when he or she is sleeping. Ensure to position your baby properly in the crib, with his or her feet to the crib’s foot. This way, the chances of the child accidentally squirming under the covers is reduced.

9. Presence of molds can cause your child’s delicate lungs to bleed. So ensure that your home’s ventilation system is at the best of conditions at all times.

10. Too low or too high room temperatures have been noted as a risk factor for SIDS. So make sure to periodically monitor the temperature settings in the room where your baby sleeps in.

Of course, to guarantee that you are constantly updated of presence of breathing movements from your child when he or she is asleep, opt to use an appropriate device. A baby movement monitor will be the ideal choice for this case.

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.

SIDS And How It Continues To Elude The Experts

Sudden infant death syndrome has long been claiming victims around the world. Sadly, it might just continue to do so as up until now, medical experts still don’t have a clue as to just what particularly triggers it. Of course, since this is the case, then doctors are also unable to issue concrete advice as to when it can happen to your child. We parents can continue to live in anxiety, or we can do all we can to educate ourselves about this child killer.

The Risk Factors

SIDS can happen anytime and anywhere. While experts have yet to pinpoint its exact cause, we parents at least are warned about the factors that can increase the potentials of the syndrome from happening to our child.

During Pregnancy

A handful of particular situations can make a still unborn child more prone to SIDS. These are:

•  SIDS is more likely to happen to a child of a young teenage mother.

• Lack or complete absence of prenatal care is one other identified risk factor. It seems that the lack of proper attention to the pregnant mother, and by extension to the fetus as well, is the culprit. When there is no prenatal care, or if it had been sought quite late into the pregnancy, the fetus then doesn’t get the adequate nourishment it needs. This is why most pregnant mothers who failed to receive prenatal care either bear their children earlier than the term, or bear a child who is lighter than the normal weight range. Both these situations make the child generally less healthy, thus making them more susceptible to dying in their sleep.

• An unborn child’s exposure to nicotine can be a contributing factor as well. Fetuses that have been exposed to this harmful substance are again generally less healthy, and they will most likely end up getting born early in the term or underweight.

After Birth

Once baby is born, he or she is still susceptible to SIDS especially during the first 4 months. Furthermore, the child likely succumbing to SIDS can be blamed to a number of these factors:

1.    Not breastfeeding the newborn can make SIDS a higher possibility. For one, the baby won’t be able to receive the antibodies that are naturally present in the mother’s milk. These antibodies are crucial as these strengthen the newborn’s resistance to a number of illnesses. Secondly, not breastfeeding also exposes the child to pathogens that commonly live in moist items such as feeding bottles.

2.    Using baby items, especially ones that come in contact to baby’s mouth, without first cleaning and sterilizing the former thoroughly, is another culprit too. In fact, studies have found that babies who died of SIDS have abnormal concentrations of the microbes E. coli and staph in their bodies.

3.    Exposure to nicotine can be risky to a child under one-year of age as well. Babies who were claimed by SIDS have been found to contain cotinine in their bodies. Doctors call cotinine a bio-markerand presence of this indicates inhalation of secondhand smoke.

4.    Exposure to harmful nitrogen oxides, common by-products of HVAC systems, is a risk factor too.

5.    Molds can likely increase the potential of SIDS from happening as well. Molds have been found to induce lung bleeding on otherwise healthy adults. So naturally, its effect is even more dangerous to a newborn’s still delicate and underdeveloped lungs.

6.    Sleeping positions have been pinpointed as a risk factor too. Babies that are put to sleep on their tummies face a higher likelihood of succumbing to SIDS since such a position increases the chance of airway blockage.

7.    Use of too much or too heavy articles of clothing and beddings can cause smothering as well.

We can only do so much to protect our children from this sinister killer. So instead of facing anxiety daily until our kids turn one-year old, we could instead educate ourselves so that we know what we’re up against.

Angelcare

Movement Monitoring

This baby movement monitor is hailed for its highly efficient sensor systems. The sensor pads’ sensitivity levels can be configured so as to minimize false alarms. The sensors are contained within sturdy and water-proof encasings as well. So the sensors getting compromised from accidental liquid spillage is virtually ruled out. 

Alarm System

The unit also comes equipped with an audible alarm that triggers beeps loud enough they can be heard from afar. Fast blinking lights are also set off along with the audible beeps to ensure that the child’s parents and/or caretakers won’t miss any non-movement incidents.

Components

Angelcare comes with three different stand-alone components. The nursery unit is the main component that plugs into the power source and the unit needs to be placed permanently and in close proximity to the monitored child’s crib. Sensor pads, usually two, are also included. These have to be set up beneath baby’s mat or bed. Lastly, Angelcare comes with parent units and charger cradles, typically two, and these look like your usual mobile phones. The parent units can be brought along so long as it’s within areas with clear and uninterrupted radio signals.

Handy Additional Features

Angelcare is perhaps the only baby movement monitor brand which comes equipped with additional functionalities which you will definitely find useful. The nursery unit is fitted with a nightlight. Whenever the baby movement monitor is powered, the nightlight automatically switches on too. Such a feature is useful particularly during the night when you need to check on your child. You no longer need to turn the main lights on so that baby won’t be unnecessarily disturbed from his or her deep slumber.

The nursery unit also comes fitted with a room thermometer. Plus, the device allows setting desired room temperature ranges. When the room’s temperature goes below or above and beyond the configured range, an alarm will be set off to inform you about the matter.

Angelcare can be set to issue audible ticking sounds as well. These ticking sounds beep continuously when movement is recorded. If none is detected, then the ticking will stop. Such functionality is very useful as it allows you to constantly “hear” your baby’s movements.

Assembly

Setting up the components so that they are all synchronized with each other can be somewhat complicated. But this is for good reason as the intricate assembly guarantees that all the device’s showcased features will be activated and thus become useful during monitoring situations.But once you overcome the initial hurdle of programming all the components, there is hardly anything you will need to perform further except to switch on and turn off the device.

Power Source

Angelcare requires that its nursery unit be plugged into a mains power source. But the nursery unit features a battery compartment. It would be advisable to put in backup batteries into the nursery unit. This way, you are guaranteed of uninterrupted monitoring even on cases where there’s a power outage in your location. The parent units, on the other hand, are built in with rechargeable batteries which require periodic charging.

Use for Co-Sleeping

As was said, the sensor pads of Angelcare are positioned underneath the monitored bed or crib. The sensors will then keep track of and record the movements and vibrations that come from immediately above. This then makes the model an unsuitable choice for co-sleeping situations. Say, baby sleeps with older siblings on the same bed which has been rigged with the Angelcare. Should the infant stop breathing and moving for whatever reason, the device won’t set off the alarm as it is still detecting vibrations coming from the other children on the bed.

Angelcare is surprisingly affordable for the purpose it serves. Imagine having a device that’s just a little over $100 and which will provide you with the crucial tracking of your delicate newborn’s breathing movements.

Snuza Go

Movement Monitoring

Snuza Go is a highly effective baby movement monitor and this is made possible by the superior design and engineering of the device. Its highly sensitive sensors are contained within a pliable rubber casing. This way, the sensors stay as close as possible to the baby’s skin to guarantee precise tracking every time.

Mobility

Snuza Go has been designed to provide a reliable baby movement monitoring mechanism even while parents and the baby are on the go. The device is very lightweight at just 30 grams so it’s not inconvenient to bring around at all. So you can bring your baby with you everywhere you go, even go out of town to visit grandma and grandpa, and still get to count on unfailing movement monitoring. Plus the device comes with a sturdy plastic case. So you can easily and securely pack away the device when baby is awake.

Placement

Snuza Go is positioned exactly where the concentration of the breathing movements are—atopthe baby’s abdominal area. Such a positioning ensures that even the subtlest up and down motion of your baby’s tummy is captured and duly recorded.

Perfect for Co-Sleeping

Aside from being the ideal brand for mobile use, Snuza Go is also the best choice for co-sleeping arrangements. Other baby movement monitors, most especially the under-the-mattress ones, detect all vibrations, even those that don’t come from the baby. This isn’t the case with Snuza Go as it is placed right on top baby’s tummy, enabling independent monitoring. So your child can readily share the bed, say with siblings, and you won’t have to worry about incorrect readings at all.

Compact

This baby movement monitoring device features a compact ergonomic design. There are no sharp edges that could cause cuts and scrapes on baby’s skin. Plus you won’t have to worry about electrical wires from accidentally entangling and smothering your child at all. What’s best, Snuza Go is securely sealed to ensure none of the parts, which are potential choking hazards by the way, fall off accidentally.

Audible Alarm

Snuza Go is equipped with a very efficient alert system. The alarm sounds it releases are very audible. You can be in the opposite part of the house and you’ll still get to hear the alarm clearly every single time it is triggered.

Highly Programmable

Snuza Go’s alarm will go off every time there is no movement recorded at any given 20-second period. But this is just the gadget’s default configuration. You can always tweak the settings so that the alarm sets off after non-movement either within 15 seconds or 18 seconds.

Power Source

Snuza Go comes equipped with a rechargeable battery upon purchase. This battery can withstand repeated draining and recharging cycles. Furthermore, the battery is guaranteed to last for at least one full year even with continuous use for 18 hours everyday. What’s best, the battery is user-replaceable enabling extended use of the device. So you can simply pack away Snuza Go after your baby’s first birthday, and just bring out thedevice for future movement monitoring of another newborn.

Snuza Go’s role in preventing sudden infant syndrome can’t be overstated. A very reasonable price indeed for the purpose it serves. This device has not only provided the reliable movement monitoring for my baby, but it has allowed us to get more resttoo. Before we acquired it, my partner and I had to wake up countless times during the night to ensure our baby’s just fast asleep in the crib. Needless to say, this lack of sleep made us cranky every morning. But thanks to Snuza Go, we’ve finally gotten the rest and sleep we needed.