Baby Monitor Round-up: Take 2

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Baby Monitor Round-up #2: The Angelcare AC601

Last time, I briefly went over the Owlet Smart Sock baby monitor. That monitor is a pulse and oxygenation monitor, and it’s particularly helpful to have if your little one has health concerns. It can really relieve some stress and let you get some sleep with the assurance that if there is a problem with your kiddo’s pulse rate or oxygen levels you will be notified immediately. This monitor has provided a lot of relief for me, but being the worrywart I am, I also have the Angelcare monitor as a back-up.

Now, there are many different models of Angelcare monitor; some have video monitoring, some have room temperature monitors, and others have a two-way, talk-back feature. I have one of the simpler models (the Angelcare AC601), and it has honestly provided that extra stability so I can get some sleep at night.

Important Features:

-Movement sensor pad (goes under the crib mattress)

-Parent Unit

-Nursery Unit

-Optional audible tick (to assure that it’s on and working)

Pros:

-Alarm sounds if the baby doesn’t move within 20 seconds

-Alerts parents with an extremely loud, continuous beeping (There’s no way you’re going to sleep through this, believe me!)

-Nothing has to be attached to baby for monitoring to occur (as opposed to the sock for the Owlet Smart Sock)

-You can order online or buy at your local Walmart (This model is in the baby section with the other sound monitors available for purchase, so there’s no order waiting period.)

Cons:

-Some cribs don’t have a firm enough base underneath the mattress to support the motion sensor pad (We had to measure and cut a flat piece of wood to support the pad in our Ikea crib. It was an easy fix, but it wasn’t convenient.)

-This particular monitor only monitors movement; there are no specific measurements that it takes or transmits.

In my opinion:

Honestly, it’s probably completely unnecessary to have both the Owlet and the Angelcare monitors going at once. We bought the Angelcare because we wanted something to monitor Clark until the Owlet was released during the spring of this year, so it has just become a habit to turn it on after I set him down in his bed. If I had to choose between the two, I would say the Angelcare is easiest to use, but the Smart Sock provides the best information on a consistent moment-to-moment basis. I really do love them both!

What type of monitor do you use to monitor your little ones during the night? What has provided you with peace of mind?