It used to be that parents wanting the peace of mind of a motion sensing baby monitor were limited to crib-based models that used a pad. That is the kind that I’ve used for my two youngest daughters. More recently, however, companies have started marketing go-anywhere monitors that clip to the baby’s diaper. The Snuza Halo Baby Movement Monitor is the second such product I’ve seen since my baby was born in December. I like the portability aspect, which allows you to monitor your little one anywhere in the house or out. It also offers a vibration to stimulate a sleeping baby when no movement is detected. You can purchase one for $164.95 at babyearth.com.

Everyone seems to be creating new iPhone apps these days. Here’s one that has a real, necessary purpose: Baby Brain, by Maternia LLC. Created by parents of two babies ages 6 months and 22 months, Baby Brain allows parents to time and record breast or bottle feedings, diaper changes, and sleep habits with just a tap/touch on the iPhone/iPhone touch. It allows you to email reports to spouses, caregivers, or doctors, view daily/weekly/monthly stats, and see your baby’s natural patterns. Recently featured in Forbes magazine, Baby Brain can be purchased at iTunes app store for $4.99.

Many people are purchasing products that help them track their newborn’s feedings, naps, and diaper changes. While to me it sounds like more work (in part because it is one more object to keep track of), I do like the idea of a new product from Mobile Works Software that lets you do all of these things on your iPhone or iTouch. If you are already glued to your phone, why not put it to use? It seems worth a try to me, especially since it’s now on sale for $6.99. You can purchase it at the iTunes store, and read more at mobileworkssoftware.com. Unfortunately, if you’re a Blackberry user like me, you are out of luck!

When I was pregnant with my first daughter nearly eleven years ago, I wasn’t plugged into the Internet. I spent my pregnancy blissfully unaware of miscarriage statistics and horror stories. When I was pregnant with number two seven years later, I was a wreck. One of the things that saved my sanity early on was that my friend owned a medical grade fetal doppler which she loaned to me on occassion. With it, I was able to find my little one’s heartbeat at just 9 weeks’ gestatation–a week before my first prenatal appointment. Because my friend was also pregnant, she kept the doppler at her house, and I just borrowed it if I was worried. This was a win-win situation because I could use it to calm my fears, but I couldn’t obsess over it.

I have since encountered numerous women online who have either purchased these devices or rented them during pregnancy. There are many who are opposed to this, believing that it bothers, or perhaps even harms, the baby. In part because of this, and also in part because I was a little more relaxed with number three, I ultimately decided against buying one after much consideration. That said, anyone I know who has one or has rented one has been very happy with the decision. If you are interested in purchasing one, there is a booming trade on ebay. Top rental sites are bellybeats.com and storkradio.com. Just don’t waste your money on the cheaper BeBe Sounds monitor. I had one of those with number two as well, and the only thing I ever heard, even at the end of my pregnancy, was amplified noise (like the television that was on downstairs).

My last hit item is a baby monitor. I cannot sleep at night unless I can hear my baby snoring away in the crib or bassinet or even right beside me in my bed. Since I used our first monitor until it broke, we recently had to purchase the  Safety 1st Safe-Glow Nursery Monitor 2 Receiver Set and I absolutely am 100% disappointed with it.

Not only is it confusing to use (the on/off switch is no simple matter and fussing with it at midnight is not on my list of things I want to do), but I often hear nothing but static on it, and I can’t even tell if I’ve got it on the right channel. I liked the built-in soft glow nightlight and liked having two receivers but hated everything else about this thing. We are returning it in search of something better. It is listed on sale for $45 on Amazon.com but it’s not worth $5.

That said, once you find a monitor that works for you, they are completely invaluable for naps and nighttime.

I have a movement monitor that I used with my second daughter during the peak SIDS-risk months.  Unfortunately, it only works in a cradle or crib, and since my new baby will sleep in neither of those places, I am sadly missing the peace of mind that it gave me. I was therefore quite excited to discover the Respisense Movement Monitor. Because it clips onto the baby’s clothing or diaper, it can be used anywhere. The battery is designed to last for approximately a year, so you don’t have to worry about it giving out when you need it most. Like the product I currently own, it senses even the smallest of movements and gives off an alarm if movement isn’t detected.

While no product can prevent SIDS, this can help you feel a little more secure. I for one know that I am guilty of waking my little one up at times in order to check on her during the night. I haven’t seen a lot of reviews for this relatively new product, but I am going to take the risk and order it because it will make me sleep much better at night. You can purchase one for $139 (just slightly more than I paid for my more cumbersome model) at StorkRadio.com . 

As a mom, the first considerations I have about any product are its usefulness, practicality, and versatility. This MobiCam Wireless Color Handheld Monitor by Mobi Technologies is designed for easy mobility so that it can be moved anywhere in your home. If you’re monitoring your child(ren) you’ll want to be able to move around without having to detach any lines or equipment.

It also features night vision so that you can view your baby in total darkness up to 10 feet. As long as your children don’t get a hold of it, it can last through the years as they grow. You’ll be able to view your children when they’re playing outside or use the monitor as a security method for monitoring entryways.

The MobiCam Wireless Handheld Monitor includes a mounting kit and AC adapters and cables. You can purchase one for $83.99 (monitor only) at BabyAnt.com. The camera is sold separately for $89 at the same site.

If you want to harness the power of the latest technology to monitor your little one, look no further than this DECT monitor from Philips.  Many parents know the frustration of not getting good reception on their monitor.  I can’t tell you how mant times I picked up other people’s phones or monitors on our old model.

This state of the art monitor from Philips is continually scanning 60 channels to find the best, clearest connection.  That way, you don’t worry that you you’ll be hearing everything but your baby when it matters most.  It has a 900 foot range and comes with two parent monitors.  It can also be used as an intercom.  I like the sleek design and nightlight feature, too.

You can purchase one for $199.95 at onestepahead.com.

When I first got pregnant I decided not to register for a video monitor. Well, when our son was moved into his room I thought, hmm, it would be really nice to see him so we went out and got the Summer Day/Night Handheld Video Monitor. I don’t know how I lived without it.

Whenever we hear our son whimper or cry now we can just look at the screen and see if he’s sleeping or needs immediate attention. It’s very portable and has great range with 900 Mhz. I can bring it into the backyard and still get a signal. There is great sound with LED lights. The battery is rechargeable and lasts up to 10 hours.

It is wonderful to see my son playing in his crib and learning to roll over. The video in the dark is wonderful and easy to see. You can pick up the monitor at any large baby store chain. Retails for $170.00.

Although it can’t prevent SIDS, the BebeSounds Angelcare monitor helped me sleep a little better during the period of highest SIDS risk. At that time, my daughter was sleeping in a cradle next to my bed. The monitor is an extremely sensitive motion detector, which senses your child’s breathing, and sets off an alarm if no movement is detected for 20 seconds.

You can also choose to have the monitor give off a quiet ticking sound that lets you know that all is well. The system works with a sensor pad that goes under the child’s bedding. The sensor pad fit easily into my cradle, and the entire system was easy to set up and use.

It also functions as a traditional sound monitor. We had one false alarm, but it was more than worth it. I would definitely recommend this to others. This new deluxe model is slightly fancier than mine, adding in a temperature monitor and a night light. You can buy one for $124.99 at amazon.com.