External And Internal Baby Heart Rate Monitors

Baby heart rate monitors were first used in the fifties to check for pregnancy abnormalities. Today, they are used as part of routine pre-natal visits to ensure the health of the baby.

A baby monitor system is also used during labor to monitor the strength and duration of the contractions. The fetal heart monitor uses Doppler ultrasound technology to detect blood flow, oxygen levels and heartbeats.

External fetal heart rate monitors are used to keep track of the baby's heart rate, ensure that the baby isn't stressed out by the labor process, measure contractions and determine whether there is a possibility of pre-term labor.

Through this baby breathing monitor, doctors can check the baby's heart rate while moving and while at rest. They can also see if there is enough oxygen in the placenta.

During contraction stress tests, the doctor can then decide if a vaginal or cesarean section delivery method is the safest. The baby's growth and blood pressure can also be monitored in the same way.

During heart rate monitors testing, women lie on their backs or sides. Sometimes this can be uncomfortable, particularly if labor contractions are taking place, and also because the belts holding the monitors in place are often tight to get a more accurate reading.

There are slight risks associated with external and internal digital baby monitors testing. For one, there is an increase in cesarean deliveries during fetal monitoring.

Also, there may be a slight risk of infection during internal monitoring as well. However, for many mothers, this is an essential part of pregnancy to ensure the safety of their babies.

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Making The Right Choices With The Summer Infant Monitor

The Summer Infant monitor products include the widest selection of digital monitors on the market. Parents can choose from the Baby's Quiet Sounds Video Monitor, Day & Night Baby Video Monitor, Day & Night Color Flat Screen Video Monitor, Day & Night Handheld Color Video Monitor, Day & Night Color Flat Screen Video Monitor Set, Day & Night Handheld Color Video Monitor, Secure Sounds Digital Color Video Monitor w/ Remote Controlled Crib Soother, Best View Handheld Color Video Monitor or the Complete Coverage Color Video Monitor Set. These systems range from $119 to $298.

The Summer Infant monitor "Day & Night Video Monitor with 5-Inch Screen" is their least-expensive model. The picture only comes through in black and white, but the camera has LED lights to enable you to see in the dark room.

You can adjust the camera in any direction you need and mount it on the wall if you'd like. The 900 MHz technology ensures that you get clear sound quality that doesn't interfere with nearby electronics. Extra cameras are also available, as are handheld sound monitors, making this a versatile system.

Not everyone loves the Summer Infant monitor products. For instance, at Amazon, 19/194 consumers gave the "Handheld Color Video Monitor with 1.8-Inch Screen" a 1/5 stars in their baby monitor reviews.

One consumer worried about security, saying: "During setup, I had not yet plugged in the camera... yet when I turned on the handset, I could see someone else's crib." A few other consumers mention they heard static, crackling and popping through their monitors as they tried to sleep.

Several people reported that their rechargeable batteries died after 2 to 7 months, which meant they could only use the system if they plugged it in. One person went so far as to say, "Glad I got this as a gift, I can send it off to the recycling bin without attempting to get a refund."

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Making Informed Shopping Decisions On Safety Baby Monitors

As a new parent, you may be wondering, "Are safety baby monitors really necessary?" In the 1950s, baby monitor reviews claimed that "These gadgets can enable mom to do all the cooking and cleaning, without worrying about the baby" and called them "the nannies of the future!"

The early monitor systems involved a baby transmitter and a parent receiver, with audio signals transmitting every cry, gurgle and baby talk. Modern digital monitors have cameras that allow parents to see every move, yet are cameras essential or just a parent pacifier? Really, the answer depends upon the individual, but here are some things to consider if you do breakdown and buy one.

There can be some problems with safety baby monitors from time to time, making them less safe for your child. Some digital monitors may be overly sensitive, signaling every little gurgle, roll-over or sound.

After a while, it becomes a case of "the baby monitor who cried wolf," where you'll be so desensitized to the constant alarms that you might miss a real emergency. Also, many monitors do not have a very extensive range, which can make you think everything is quiet and lovely, when in reality, your baby is shrieking out of your range.

Sometimes electronic devices like cordless phones and microwaves can also cause interference, making sounds muffled and distorted and leaving you to wonder, "Why did I buy this useless thing?"

Safety baby monitors come in all price ranges with all kinds of features. For just a bare bones basic audio model, you can pay $29.99 for the Ultra-Clear Graco Baby Monitor, which is considered a great buy for the money.

Another inexpensive model is the Safety 1st Baby monitor, which sells for $75, and is very quiet to have on in the background. At the high end, you can pay $299.99 for the Summer Infant Complete Coverage Video Monitor Set, which offers TV output, two video monitors and a whole host of advanced features.

The Philips DECT baby monitor ($149.99) is another high-quality selection that offers minimal-to-no interference.

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Knowing You Are Needed With A Wireless Baby Monitor

The wireless baby monitor is the most popular type of baby monitor system on the market. Each system comes with a monitor, which is placed in the infant's room; either mounted to the wall, attached to the crib or placed on a table.

Then there are one or more parental units, which usually look like walkie-talkies (if handheld) or like LCD screens if it has video capabilities. Parents can then accomplish chores and have some down-time while the baby sleeps, without worrying that their infant may be in distress.

While a digital or analog baby monitor isn't an essential child-rearing item, many parents feel they are being more attentive when using one.

The Graco iMonitor, which is the next level up in the Graco baby monitor series, is more sensitive, has lower interference and ensures that there will be no accidental eavesdropping from neighbors who also happen to own Graco monitors.

The downside to this wireless baby monitor is that the battery run-time is relatively short and the range is not as far as advertised. The average price is $80 to $105, depending on where you buy it. If you want a unit guaranteed to have zero interference, then you might want to try the Philips baby monitors, but you'll be paying considerably more.

Nothing is worse than knowing your baby has been screaming his or her lungs out for the past hour, while you were out of earshot range, doing laundry, cooking or watching television.

The wireless baby monitor enables parents to give the baby a little bit of encouragement from afar, while not caving in to the fussiness and whims of the child. Digital baby monitors are a great way to get chores done around the house and take a little break, without having to worry about the safety of your little one.

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Analog And Digital Baby Monitor Types

Advocates of the baby monitor say that these systems allow parents to better meet the needs of their children, as they can see or hear everything that's going on even when they're out of the room. Special devices placed beneath the crib mattress can even track body movement to alert parents of any abnormal activity or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

However, critics claim that even the best baby monitors only provide a false sense of security and have not been scientifically proven to benefit babies or parents. It all boils down to parental preference about whether they want to "spy" on their infants or not.

Analog and digital are the two main baby monitor types. Analog monitors transmit signals straight across a frequency band, much like a radio, whereas digital monitors encode the signal prior to transmission for greater privacy. Generally speaking, the digital variety are top-rated, although there's no guarantee that interference can be completely prevented.

Even video monitors can fall prey to interference, particularly from microwave ovens, so it's buyer beware for many of these products. It's important, then, that parents check the warranty policy to ensure they can get their money back or exchange the monitor system, if need be.

There are many different brands of baby monitor systems available today, with some of the most popular being Graco, Philips and Summer Infant. The Philips SCD 589 ($200) has a ton of features and has had many positive reviews, where customers say they suffered no interference.

The Graco iMonitor ($90) has two parent receivers and is also rated good for reception. Similarly, the Summer Infant Secure Sounds ($50) offers a lot of privacy, without all the special features of the more expensive Philips baby monitors.

For pet owners, the Evenflo WhisperConnect Sensa ($50) will detect motion around the baby's crib to alert parents when the cat or dog is nosing around the crib. The high-tech Mobicam ($190) lets parents tape their video monitoring or watch the videos on the TV screen.

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Solving Interference Problems With The Philips Baby Monitor

If you've used cheaper baby monitors in the past, then you know how frustrating it can be to hear sirens, car traffic and other babies coming through your baby's monitoring system. Through all the static, it's hard to hear what's going on.

When you're out of the room, it can be difficult to tell if the baby is screaming because it's too hot or too cold to fall asleep too. If only you could talk back to your baby through the baby infant monitor and tell him/her it's okay! All of these problems are solved with the Philips baby monitor.

Sometimes it can be terrifying to hear a sudden, shrill baby screech. Light indicators are a useful feature on the Philips baby monitor, which lets you keep the volume turned off but still see how loud your baby is yelling, depending on how many lights flash.

To soothe your baby from a remote location, a Philips monitor let you speak to your baby through the parental unit, which functions like a walkie-talkie. You can also cue up five 30-second lullabies from your handheld unit or turn on a night light that projects little stars onto the wall.

One of the complaints with the Philips baby monitor is that the charger function doesn't seem to work. The units often don't hold their charge, causing consumers to have to send back monitor system after monitor system.

The rechargeable batteries get fried, regular batteries melt -- it's all around bad news. Other customers say they avoided this problem by using a separate Sony recharging station, instead of the one that came with their baby monitor.

Many problems occurred when purchasers put regular batteries in the unit and also set it in the charging cradle. You must also see that the indicator light comes on when you set the units in the cradle to ensure it's actually charging.

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Keeping Tabs With A Digital Baby Monitor

The digital baby monitor is a marvelous invention that allows parents to keep tabs on their crib-side baby, while watching TV, cooking, gardening, finishing chores or simply relaxing.

The drawback of the old analog baby monitors is that they are often prone to interference from household appliances, the neighbors' baby monitors, microwaves, radio signals and ambient traffic noise.

In some cases, the neighbors may even hear your baby's frequency! In areas that aren't densely populated, an analog monitoring system may work just fine, but for everyone else, digital baby monitors are the way to go.

Parents who are very concerned about security should consider a digital baby monitor, rather than analog. It's possible that neighbors who are also using the same baby monitor system will be able to hear your infant's coos and cries.

It's not that your baby is likely to be endangered by this, but that sort of invasiveness is creepy and disconcerting to a number of people. Secondly, you should consider a digital baby monitor if you live in a busy neighborhood where a lot is going on.

Cordless phones, TV signals, wireless internet signals, radio broadcasts, microwaves and even passing traffic can all cause exorbitant amounts of static to come through your monitor, which will make the whole system more trouble than it's worth.

A digital baby monitor makes a great baby shower gift for an expectant mother. For less than $100, you can find a pretty decent baby monitoring system that gets the job done. The parents will be able to go throughout the house and finish chores or relax, while knowing the baby is sleeping soundly.

The worst thing for new parents is not knowing how long the baby has been screaming for them because they were in another part of the house, out of earshot. Digital, as well as video baby monitors offer freedom, security and comfort, while providing the baby with the parental attentiveness he or she needs for a happy development.

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Better Features For Your Video Baby Monitor

There are many features to consider when picking out a video baby monitor. Can you control the screen brightness? Can you pan or zoom in, remotely? Is there black & white image night vision to let you see in the dark? Are there battery saving features?

Is voice-activated video available? Can you use rechargeable batteries, as well as an AC adapter? How many parent units does the infant monitor come with? Here is a run-down of some of the top-selling video baby monitors on the market.

The MobiCam Color video baby monitor retails for $179, but can be found on Amazon for just $117. This price is surprisingly low for a high-end, feature-laden video infant monitor. You'll be able to use night-vision to view your baby's status even in the dark and hook up the receiver to the television or computer to see the bigger picture.

The units are lightweight and portable, coming with belt clips, hanging loops and table stands. The sound quality is superb, with no cordless phone interference as well, making it a top choice.

Critics argue that baby monitors with video capabilities are over-priced and unnecessary. Technically, you could buy an audio baby monitor that has a "flashing light" mode for when you don't want to be frightened by a sudden baby shriek. The louder your baby is yelling, the more lights light up.

You don't need to see your baby's flushed red face and tonsils to know when he or she is yelling. Yet, other mothers say they just couldn't live without a video baby monitor, since it lets them peek into so many rare moments, without disturbing the baby's sleep or quiet time.

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Keeping Your Peace Of Mind With A Wireless Video Baby Monitor

Most consumers admit in their baby monitor reviews that they initially scoffed at the idea of spying on their babies with video monitors. At first, it just seemed excessive, as who needs to see every yawn, gurgle, giggle or sour-puss scream anyway?

Yet, often, an expectant mother gets a video monitor at a baby shower or the tech-geek spouse convinces the frugal spouse that this would be a cool idea. Unsurprisingly, even the most reticent consumers instantly became hooked to the concept of having a wireless video baby monitor around the house.

Another feature to consider for your wireless video baby monitor device is how many of each unit you'll need. For instance, a standard baby monitor system will come with one camera and one screen.

However, some systems offer an optional two-parent handheld unit, a video screen and a handheld unit, or multiple cameras for watching more than one room and baby at a time. For some people, a more advanced system might be the best fit.

A wireless video baby monitor is an excellent way to keep tabs on your baby. Some parents revel in the joys of parenthood and love to watch their baby chatter in the crib, laugh, giggle or call for mommy and daddy.

After all, these quiet moments can be an ideal time to capture some great footage for a family video! Other parents like the ability to switch on the screen and see if their baby is awake yet, so they don't have to open the door and disturb the baby's slumber.

Additionally, these wireless baby monitors are great for babies with colds, colicky kids, premature babies, handicapped children or for a number of other situations where vigilance is crucial.

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Baby Alarm To Assure You The Baby Is Safe

Baby alarm can be located in close proximity of your newborn. You could have a little camera facing the baby and when the baby wakes up and needs assistance, you will be alerted by the baby alarm.

Meanwhile you can work in the kitchen to create the family meal or do your household chores, safe in the knowledge that everything with your baby is fine. No need to panic when there is a baby alarm to alert you.

There are so many things that have to be done around the house, including all the regular household chores and preparation of meals for your family and your baby. A lot of these household chores in rooms around the house can be done while the baby is asleep.

Take advantage of the baby alarm, monitors, tracking devices and leashes if you can afford to. These are all designed to make your job as a parent, much easier. Do your best to keep your little one safe.

You might consider some of the devices rather expensive. To keep costs down you may only buy one baby monitor and keep it in the baby room. You can keep the camera facing the baby and you will be alerted if the baby needs you.

You may consider the tracking watch once the baby starts crawling about the house and you don’t know where the baby is located, or you may have gone to a shopping mall and in a split second the baby has crawled off to who knows where. Authorities will help you quickly track the baby for you.

You will find in the long run, for that peace of mind, all you need is a baby alarm.

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