Baby monitors

[suespud]

Didnt want to discuss this further on the sad thread about the poor young boy.


"A monitor in a nine year olds bedroom, better safe than sorry"

Better safe than sorry... against what??

To me it doesn't seem right to have a monitor in a nine year olds bedroom!

It's like spying ....big brother....snooping.

[Jacknian]

I agree, baby monitors are great , -- for babies. Once a child is able to get out of bed and get their parent for whatever reason, then there is no longer a need for them. A monitor in a 9 year olds bedroom is ridiculous. The worlds gone mad !

[emjay45]

I actually never had a baby monitor. My baby monitor was ME. I was always a very heavy sleeper until I had my first baby. Even now I will wake if a pin drops. My eldest son suffered and still does from night terrors and also sleepwalked. I listened out for him every night. I caught him at the top of the stairs one night wrapped in his duvet just before he fell from the top. Many, many nights I would rush into his bedroom to prevent him hurting himself. We had window locks because we were afraid he would get out of the window.
When I babysat for my grandchildren as babies my son had baby monitors which actually I didn't find useful. I preferred to check regularly that they were still breathing which believe me I did probably too regularly. It's even more nerve racking being a grandparent I find.

[Jacknian]

True, grandchildren are more of a worry than children. When we babysat ours when they were young we used a baby monitor as that's what our daughter wanted, but I still checked on them every hour or so and left the doors open all evening. At night I too would wake if there was the slightest noise, the baby monitor was not really needed. When I had my own children there were no baby monitors, and parents coped perfectly well without them. To suggest using them for older children is really unnecessary, and how do they help if a parent was intent on harming a child ( thankfully this is very rare ) or any other person, they would surely just turn the monitor off.

[Boris+]

I still simply just 'don't know' on this one. I suppose to start with it depends on the size of the home that the child is living in, and then maybe (but I could be wrong) on how active (as in over active) the child is; and whether the child is just plain naughty at night.

I'm in a situation where people we know who have recently had babies (and those who are still expecting) are 'technics' and so any gizmo which looks technical/electronic is going to be purchased. I've heard chat about monitors with screens and Wi-Fi and goodness knows what, and I will admit that whilst I have taken an interest in other departments in baby stores, the monitor department is one which, thus far, I have avoided. However, I do have a sneaky suspicion that I will be expected to have one and use it if I am going to be allowed to babysit at any point.

If (and I mean IF) a baby is normal, healthy and content, then maybe when the baby has graduated from a cot to a bed and has settled into a normal sleep pattern in that new bed then perhaps the monitor can be less relied on. If you have a child though who is active at night (sleep walking etc) then maybe it's worthwhile still using the monitor?

I don't suppose there is any one 'right' answer, and it has to be remembered that no two children are the same, no two households are exactly the same, the variations are infinitesimal potentially.

However, as far as keeping a watchful eye and popping a head around an open door - I think it's a win-win situation, as going up and down those stairs repeatedly is good for the cruising wardrobe!

Em

[Onelife]

Baby moniters have there place as do all other precautionary measures that you keep your baby safe. I remember the second best thing we ever purchased was a play pen. Absolutely essential if you want to pop out for a couple of hours with friends

The best thing we ever purchased was a book entitled "Your Growing Child"...from birth to adolescence" by Dr David Fontana. This book needs to be sitting on every prospective parents bedside cabinet.

Regards

OL

[suespud]

Well my 7th granchild ( a boy) is due in march and he will be in my room when he sleeps over, till he is six months. Then in the big cot in another room after that.
We have a Moses basket, two travel cots/playpens. A cot bed and another smaller cot. A wooden high chair, a feeding chair that fits on a dining chair, a folding high chair. Baby bouncers, chairs, various car seats.....and enough toys to rival Toys R us....for boys.
So I'm now collecting girl toys...for Ruby !!! My only granddaughter.

Looking to replace the single bed with bunk beds next month. ( Lego themed room)
My fridge has a kids shelf...
they have a bookcase as I have so many books for them. I have basket full of various size nappies and wipes etc. changing mat.
shelf in cupboard full of baby snacks..rice cakes etc. and stuff for older boys. I have a basket in the bathroom full of toys for the bath.
Wardrobe in boys bedroom is full of dressing gowns, slippers, pj,s and various undies and spare clothes.
We have kites in the front porch.
Flipping heck!!!! Iv shocked myself as to how much stuff we have.

[Admiral of the Humber]

Best thing we ever bought were the stair gates. It was fantastic watching somebody who could barely walk and talk work out how to get over one then shuffle down a flight of stairs and climb over the second.

The second best thing were the mirrored doors on our wardrobe. It kept Miss AOTH amused for ages....she thought she had a twin.


Regards
Rob

[suespud]

Best thing we ever bought were the stair gates. It was fantastic watching somebody who could barely walk and talk work out how to get over one then shuffle down a flight of stairs and climb over the second.

The second best thing were the mirrored doors on our wardrobe. It kept Miss AOTH amused for ages....she thought she had a twin.


Regards
Rob

Ohhh I forgot about the gates..!!!!
One at the top and bottom of stairs, one at the back lounge door, and a new one just bough to fit across the open plan room..a big gap...took ages to find a pressure fit one that would do the job. "Dreambaby " if anyone needs one.

[Jacknian]

We also have a house full of baby and toddler equipment, I thought once our own children were grown up we could clear the house of all their stuff but we have more now than ever !

[greenfish187]

Baby moniters have there place as do all other precautionary measures that you keep your baby safe. I remember the second best thing we ever purchased was a play pen. Absolutely essential if you want to pop out for a couple of hours with friends

The best thing we ever purchased was a book entitled "Your Growing Child"...from birth to adolescence" by Dr David Fontana. This book needs to be sitting on every prospective parents bedside cabinet.

Regards

OL

I like that about the playpen LOL
Terry

[Andrea S]

I suppose baby monitors can be useful but I have yet to meet a Mum who doesn't hear every whimper and every movement.
Babysitting your Grandchildren is a big responsibility .
On Saturday night we did our first babysitting duties with an 8 year old and a 16 week old baby. This was a rare occasion for us as we only live 10 minutes away and normally all go out together .
A baby monitor was the last thing on mind, I had too many instructions running through my head. Gaviscon in his milk, Infacol prior to feeding, Calpol and cough mixture for the older one obviously not together, changing bag to hand with wipes, cotton wool, sudacrem, nappies and nappy bags.

Whatever happened to good old gripe water and water to wash their tiny bottoms and the lovely smell of talcum powder.

It was an amazing and very precious time.