Reviewing the Best Baby Monitors for New Mothers
In the early days of parenting a baby, when you feel a little lost, any tool that can put your mind at rest so you can sleep for 30 minutes straight is a godsend. The feeling of being lost never really goes away, but the tools available to parents are amazing.
Oricom offers the Babysense2 infant breathing movement monitor and Secure 850 digital video/audio baby monitor. Three Baby Domain Influencers, Madelin of the Bean Bible and Lisa from Exclusively Mum as well as myself, tested out the monitors. Continue reading to learn what we thought.
Lisa, a mother of three from exclusively Mum, is an expert when it comes to baby movement monitors. She tested Oricom Babysense2 with her four-month-old baby and used monitors for her five-year-old and three-year-old.
I’ve always used a baby monitor to keep track of the movements of each child. I find it reassuring.” The Oricom Babysense2, unlike other monitors I’ve used in the past, is listed as a medical product on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Products. The alarm will sound if there is no movement for 20 seconds or if the baby’s breath rate drops below 10 per minute. The Babysense2 has never given me false alarms. I’ve had experience with cheaper brands and they often do.
The video monitor’s added functionality provides greater comfort. Thanks to the infrared camera, you can enjoy a very high-quality picture even when there is little or no light. “The adjustable temperature alert helps me maintain a comfortable temperature in the nursery for my baby.
Even though nights out with kids are rare and even more so when you have three, Lisa feels more secure knowing that her family and friends will also be using the Babysense2 monitor.
Deauvanne, a stylish blogger from Mama Stylista and former presenter and model, is also a stylist and a former model. She doesn’t have the time to figure out complicated devices. She is juggling a 3-year-old boy, a 10-month-old baby girl, and blogging about amazing fashion and events. Who among us does? She was surprised by how simple it was to set up the Oricom monitors.
I was impressed by the Babysense2 System. It was easy to put together. I was worried that it would be difficult. The illustrations and instructions were very clear. After charging, it took me 15 minutes to set up everything. I didn’t even ask my husband.
The nightlight and temperature settings work well. This system is perfect for me to feel less stressed and reassured during those first important 12 months. “A definite sanity-saver!”
Madelin, from The Bean Bible, is our last external reviewer to test the Babysense2 video monitor. Madelin had a few glitches like accidentally turning on the music for her four-month-old’s bedroom. But she was soon up and running to compare her new Babysense2 to her previous Oricom monitor.
She liked the bright LED light on the camera, but her older model had a smaller red light. But she also loved the features of the new model: the temperature display controls on the monitor and the microphone built into the camera. This feature was liked by all parents as it allowed them to soothe their babies using their voices.
Madelin had “[wanted] to test out the Babysense device for some time so it was nice to be able. It’s perfect because it doesn’t have to be attached to a baby.
It’s a great relief to know the monitor will detect if she stops breathing. It was great to be able to move around my house and yard and bring the monitor along with me.
As for myself, I have two sons, ages four and one. I use a camera monitor to keep a close eye on them and to look at them with love while I should be spending time together with my husband.
The Oricom’s monitors and cameras are of a high-quality and solid construction. The rubber base on the camera is great because it prevents the camera from skittering if the power cord is knocked. The controls are intuitive and the screen is large on the parent monitor. The buttons were intuitive and I didn’t need to read the manual. However, like Madelin, I accidentally blasted Twinkle Twinkle Little Star into the room where my baby was sleeping.
I wish I had Babysense2 when I was a new parent or my second child was a baby. This would have been a great help to me as I am a parent who is constantly worried. It was easy to install and the alarm was loud when I tested it. The sound carried through the closed door down the hallway and into the living room. It never went off in real life, which is something I am glad about.
The Best Baby Monitors for 2024
Finding the best baby monitor for a new parent was a vital purchase. I shudder at the thought of Jasper, my 14-month-old toddler, taking a nap without being monitored. Call me paranoid but I have rigged two up. One that connects to my phone’s app and the other with its screen, as a backup.
After testing more than a dozen baby monitors, I consider myself a connoisseur. From the Owlet smart sock that Jasper wore in his first few months, to the VTech range, and my latest favourite, the Nanit, I am now a true expert. Technology has advanced since the days of glorified walkie-talkies. However, for those who are on a tight budget, they still offer a reliable option.
Even if you spend a bit more money, most of the models we tested have features such as built-in temperature sensors and the ability for the user to zoom and pan remotely. You can also get high-end systems that track breathing, differentiate between background noise and your baby’s sound, and provide impressive sleep analytics to mums who want hypervigilant monitoring.
What to look out for when buying a baby monitor
Millie Poppins is a motherhood mentor and baby expert. She tells me that the first thing to decide is whether or not you want audio and video. Second, you should consider whether the camera has a monitor or is connected to an app on your smartphone.
The range will also be a major factor when choosing the right monitor. Choose a monitor that has a direct connection between the camera unit and the parent unit or one that connects via Wi-Fi. In many cases, you can choose both. The range, or the maximum distance between the camera and the parent unit, was rarely as advertised. The range is reduced by walls and floors, so it will be determined by your home as well as the strength of the internet. Choose a monitor that can work without Wi-Fi if your Wi-Fi is faulty.
Millie says that a good battery life is important. “My number-one tip is to charge the battery fully before using the monitor for its first use, to maximize the battery’s life over time. I love monitors which can be moved around, rather than being mounted on the wall. You can easily move the monitor between rooms, or even on trips.
Remember that you are on camera as well as your baby. Jasper’s granny had to tell us several times that we were being watched by a live feed of our bedroom from the screen in the kitchen. Be careful when changing clothes or having private discussions! Apps that let users peer in remotely are also a good idea.
We tested the top baby monitors.
I began with the Owlet which includes a “smart sock” that tracks your baby’s vitals. I used it when Jasper was first born and then tested the other cameras as Jasper grew up and our needs changed. I have tested the cameras both at home and on my travels and in three different countries.
I graded them on the following: how easy it was to set up, along with any app, how reliable the connectivity was at different distances, what quality the audio and video, and the extras such as temperature sensors, and how they performed over several months.
Oricom Secure 870 monitor and Babysense2 Review by Mummy
Oricom monitors are nothing new to us, we’ve used them before with the Oricom Secure705, but the Secure870 has many features that our previous monitor lacked.
There are lullabies and a colourful light projection. Also, there is a touchscreen, feed notifications, split-screen viewing for additional cameras as well as automatic tilt/pan.
We decided not to get a Babysense 2 breathing monitor because our baby would be sleeping in her room for the first six months of her life until the SIDS critical period was over. Bubs, who was less than four months old, outgrew her bassinet and moved into a cot in her room. We were filled with parental anxiety, and we had to rethink our decision. The Oricom Secure870 monitor and Babysense2 are available in a convenient value pack!
First Look at the Secure 870
The camera and monitor can be connected in a matter of seconds. Charge the parent unit at least 5 hours before first use.
The 870 is intended to be placed on a flat, non-slip surface, away from the cot. This allows the light show to project onto the roof. The monitor should not be mounted to the cot to avoid the cord posing a risk to your baby.
Improvements of the Secure 870
1. Cry Alarm
The feature that I was most excited about was the “Cry Alert”. The ‘Cry Alert’ feature allows you to turn off the screen and mute the parent unit (ideal for overnight use). It will then alert you only to the baby’s cry, not to every groan and grunt.
The Babysense2’s audible alarm, which is activated if your child stops breathing, wasn’t loud enough to trigger 870’s cry alert. This means that we will have to use the monitor’s volume at all times, and even during the night.
2. Sleep Mode
The baby likes to sleep with white noise. Our previous monitor would record the noise as constant and go into “sleep” mode regardless. (So, it would turn off the screen and sound until the baby started crying). The white noise on the 870 keeps it active all the time, and there is no way to change the Vox settings or the sensitivity.
3. Range
According to the 870, it has a range inside of 50m and outside of 300m – under ‘optimal conditions’. The range is not optimal in our longhouse, which is not open-plan. However, it does extend from one end to the other. This is vital because the baby’s bedroom is on the opposite end.
4. Babysense2 Breathing monitor
The Babysense2 was not as complicated to use and set up as I had expected.
The monitor hangs from the side of the crib. You simply lift the mattress and place one (or two) sensor pads on the base. Feed the cord through the bars.
Conclusion:
A baby monitor is a great way to improve the safety and convenience of new parents. You can provide the best care for your child by choosing the best baby monitor that has all the features you need.
