Monday, December 6, 2010

Make your own video baby monitor with skype

Now you can create your very own video baby monitor using Skype. If you have the infrastructure in your home already then you wont have any expenses. Meaning that your baby monitor will be free.

  1. First things first. Set up your webcam on your PC or netbook. If you have a webcam you most probably would have done this already. Make sure that the audio is also enabled.
  2. Download and install skype. You can also download it to your Android phone or any phone that can run Skype. Create an Skype account for your baby.
  3. Sign in with the account you created for you baby. Now you have to customize your Skype settings. Go to tools and then options.
  •  Under General Settings, choose "Start Skype when I start Windows" This is dependant on your operating system. 



  • Under Video Settings, choose "Automatically receive video and screen sharing from...people in my Contact list only."

  • Under Privacy settings, choose to only allow people in your contact list. Then click on the "Show Advanced Options" button.


  • Now in the advanced privacy settings select "people in my Contact list only" for all settings.
  • Now click on the Call Settings tab and select "Only allow people on my Contact list to call me". After that click on "Show Advanced Options" button.

  • Select "Answer incoming calls automatically" and "Start my video automatically when I am in a call".

  • Do not forget to save all the settings, otherwise all your work will be in vain.
   4. You must add your own Skype account to the contact list of your baby`s account and vise versa
 
You might want to keep the volume low on the computer that will be in the baby`s room as you do not want to wake him or her up when they are sleeping.

You can now phone your baby and it should answer the call and start the video stream if everything was set up correctly. There are some other things you can do to make this whole system work nicely in your favour. If you have a phone that can run Skype like a Blackberry or Android phone you could use the phone as a mobile baby monitor wherever you are as long as you have a wifi connection or a 3G signal.You could also monitor your baby from your home office so you can get some work done or you could keep an eye on the little one from work, basically anywhere there is an internet connection and a PC. You can also place a Skype enabled phone in the baby`s room of a computer is too noisy.

Hopefully this will help you to keep a better eye on your baby and give you that extra peace of mind.

Article source and pictures from wikihow.com .

Sunday, November 28, 2010

How a multi room baby monitor can help you

A baby monitor can definitely give new or experienced parents a great deal of help. It allows you to do things around the house, like cleaning, while your baby is peacefully sleeping in another room. You also have the luxury to buy multi room baby monitors that will give you more convenience to you.

Multi-room Monitoring

Most baby monitors on the market come out with only one transmitter and one or more receivers, that parents can use to monitor their baby`s with. If you would want more than one receiver , so you can put one in every room in your house then the choices you have is rather limited.

For some parents to set up a multi room baby monitor system in their house, they have to buy more than one monitor set.By placing one monitor in every room you can listen to the sounds that come from the baby`s room while you are busy in another part of the house, like packing the dishwasher in the scullery.

This situation does come with it`s disadvantages. The number of baby monitors could interfere with each other. To solve that problem you have to make sure that you set the monitors on different frequencies from each other. Otherwise you will hear very unpleasant white noise the whole time. The best option however would be to buy a baby monitor system that is made for multi room monitoring.

Other Practical Features

Baby monitors have made the life of parents easier for a few decades now. The wonderful thing is that they give you an extra set of ears and eyes (video baby monitors) that help you to look after your baby when you otherwise could not have. By being able to listen in on your baby from else where in your house you could do some chores around the house, or be alerted when your baby needs a diaper change or when he needs to be fed.

With the video monitors you can watch your baby with a LCD monitor.These are also known as baby cams. Some concerned parents have also used baby cams to see if a baby sitter abuses their infant, which is unfortunately something that does happen. Some even have wi-fi capabilities. This is perfect for when a parent is away from home on a business trip. They can then log onto the internet and monitor their baby from anywhere in the world. Parents who work abroad for extended periods of time will find this extremely valuable as they can still in some way see their baby grow up.

Two way baby monitors allows you to talk to your baby from your receiver. This is a very nice feature. It allows you to sing lullabies to you r baby or you can play music to them from your receiver.

Some other notable features are:
  • Monitors that play lullabies
  • Baby breathing monitors that detects when your baby stops breathing and alerts you.
  • Rechargeable baby monitors, although most are rechargeable these days.
  • Night vision so you can observe your child in the dark of the night.
There are still some more features that could be added as there are new baby monitors that come onto the market on a monthly basis.
When you decide to buy a baby monitor do some research and establish what features you want your baby monitor to have. Then go out and compare the different models that fulfil to the features you require. You can then read some customer reviews to see if they are really good. After that process you should you decide to buy one, you will most probably have a good quality baby monitor.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Buying a baby monitor is an excellent investment for any parent or parent-to-be. We take a look at six baby monitors that are available on the market.

Years ago when people had much larger families and most mothers were home makers, it was much easier to keep an eye on the baby. One of the children could also be assigned to watch over the baby, and overall babies were not really left alone very much. In modern times things are quite different. After giving birth the mother is very busy at home to look after her newborn baby. No mother wants to neglect her child at any time. Luckily there are baby monitors that has given parents a huge amount of freedom and peace of mind.

Now you can leave your baby alone in his or her room and you will be alerted when your baby cries or does not move for a while.This allows a mother to continue washing the baby`s clothes and do the other things like taking a much needed nap.

What you should look for in your baby monitor.

It should have a baby station (transmitter) that is placed next to the baby and a receiver that is carried by the parent. The longer the range the better. Volume control will also help a lot as you can adjust the volume to your situation. The better the sound quality the better for you. This help you to distinguish between harmless gurgles that you know and between sounds that will require your immediate attention. Rechargeable batteries with a long battery life will help you very much. You will find light signals and a temperature sensor very useful. Movement alarms or baby breathing monitors are also brilliant as it may help you to prevent your baby falling victim to sudden infant death syndrome. We had a chat with a few mothers with baby monitor experience, and looked at the units available to give you a better insight of what is available out there.

We take a look at a few monitors on the market:

  • Angelcare AC 420 sound monitor
  • Chicco  Baby Control Video Digital  Monitor 
  • Angelcare AC401 – Movement and sound
  • TOMY Digital Plus
  • Phillips AVENT DECT SCD530 
  • Lindam Baby Talk  

Angelcare AC 420 sound monitor:

This is a very reliable baby monitor with all the basic functions that any would expect.


Features:

    * Range: between 80 meters and 100 meters (indoors)
    * Volume control
    * Sound lights to see and hear baby's sounds
    * 8 channels to minimize interference
    * Battery or AC adaptor operated
    * Voice activated
    * Parents Unit rechargeable

This is an extremely reliable monitor.The magnetic field strength is very low which is a very worthwhile point to take notice of.Extremely reliable and hardy unit. Magnetic field strength is low, which is a very worthwhile point to note. This is not the model that everyone is talking about. That model is the AC 401. This monitor does not have the sensory monitor pad and has no movement or temperature detection.


This unit is best for:Any parent looking for basic functions that is very reliable. Use the money you save to buy some extra diapers.


Chicco Baby Control Video Digital Monitor:

This baby monitor is for parents who does not trust everyone and like to keep an eye on the situation. Also great if you love to look at your baby the whole time.

Features:

    * Video camera which works in the dark and can be adjusted to suit your needs
    * Voice activation
    * 150m range of use
    * digital technology for interference-free reception
    * rechargeable batteries

The main focal point if this monitor is that you are able to look at your baby. It is a very classy product and the camera function is certainly fantastic. It is however not a "must have" to have a video baby monitor, but it does have its advantages.

Best for: Those with really cute babies and the less trusting mothers who need an eye on the situation all the time.

Angelcare AC401 – Movement and sound

This is the ideal monitor for parents that like a lot of feedback.

Features:

    * Under-the-mattress Sensor Pad detects every movement baby makes
    * Optional 'tic" sound to hear baby's movements
    * Adjustable sensitivity
    * Alarm sounds after 20 seconds if absolutely no movement is detected
    * Sound lights to see and hear baby's sounds
    * Nursery room temperature display on the Parents unit
    * Choice between voice activation or  continuous sound reception
    * Alarm vibration option on Parents Unit

After all the talks with the mothers, this unit was chosen as the favourite.The main reason they chose this one is because of the sensor pad.This is recommended by many mothers that enjoy the extra sleep that this monitor affords them. For paying a bit extra we found it to be better than the AC420 because this one  has the temperature and movement sensor.The screen that the chicco have is also nice but if you are watching the price then this is the ideal baby monitor.

Best for: Those who would like as much feedback as possible. My favourite of the bunch.


TOMY Digital Plus

Most people will be satisfied with the look, feel, and performance of the TOMY baby monitor.

Features:

    * DECT technology interference free, clear sound and 100% privacy
    * Low battery and out of range alarm
    * LCD temperature display
    * Two way talkback so parents can reassure baby from afar
    * Belt clip for hands free convenience
    * Vibration mode
    * A pager to help locate the parent unit if misplaced.


This is in the same price range as the Angelcare 401. Although this monitor offers all the functions you need it is not as sharp as the AC401. If Philip Stark turned his attention to baby gadgets he would be drawn to the TOMY. The two way talk function of this monitor is also a very nice function to have and is not found on many other baby monitors.

This monitor is good for anyone. It has solid performance and any person should be happy with the look and price of the TOMY

Phillips AVENT DECT SCD530

If you do not know how to sing lullabies then this is the monitor for you.

Features:

   * 5 Lullabies
   * Battery low indication
   * Monitor the humidity and temperature in the baby`s room
   * 330m operating range 
   * Belt clip, neck cord and travel bag
   * 24 hour operation time
   * Vibration alert
   * Two way communication
   * Auto out of range warning

With such a long range it is almost possible for you to take a stroll around the block and still listen in on your baby. Another top end monitor that might actually have designed around iPod docking station to promote the lullaby option. As impressive as any other, but once again, not all the functions focused on are essential.

Best For: Quality audio and parents who can’t sing lullabies.


Lindam Baby Talk Baby Monitor

If you are on a tight budget the this monitor is for you.

Features:

    * Digital thermometer
    * Adjustable volume control
    * Rechargeable and portable
    * Range of up to 200m
    * Built in night light
    * The Baby unit features a comforting night light and a choice of 2 channel frequencies reduces the risk of interference


The Lindam is lowest in price by quite a long way. That does not mean it’s not a decent buy. The standard is really high with a fantastic choice of monitors. The Lindam still does the job but beware of less clarity due to only two channels frequencies – the others all have many more channels and better systems for more efficient clarity.The range is also quite good.

Best if you are on a tight budget, but you might want to spend a little bit of extra money to go for something a little better.

If you want to have a look at more baby monitors and baby breathing monitors please click here to visit our amazon powered store.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Samsung releases new high-tech baby monitor.

A Wireless baby monitor that hooks up to your TV and internet!

Samsung has released their first wireless baby monitor, and they claim that because of its advanced features it will provide the ultimate peace of mind for parents every where.

The Samsung SEW-3030 baby monitor comes with a 3.5 inch full colour LCD screen, a rechargeable battery and a portable wireless camera.

You are not only able to watch and listen to the baby in the usual way, but you can also connect it to your television. This allows you to monitor your baby while watching TV because it gives you a "picture in picture" option.You can also connect it to your computer and integrate it with programs like MSN,Skype and Yahoo.Using Skype it is possible to set Samsung's baby monitoring system to automatically answer your call making it a piece of cake to remotely view from anywhere in the world.

Samsung baby monitor

This is a very new product and we were not able to find many customer reviews.Here is a customer review from amazon.co.uk : "I bought one of these to keep an eye on my 18month old Daughter. I can honestly say it's the most useful bit of tech I have ever bought.
It's great as now when she makes a noise in the night we can actually see if there is a problem. Even in the Dark :) the night vision is brill.
For me though the Skype connection is just amazing.
I spend a lot of time away from home so worry that I miss her growing up. Now my wife leaves the monitor connected to her Laptop at home and I can dial in from anywhere on my Skype video account and see my wee angel.

Thank you Samsung Top Top Product "by Whinbush

We will report back any additional reviews we can find to see of it is a worth while investment.In the meantime you can view full baby monitor customer reviews on our baby monitor store page by clicking on the product.

The only price we were bale to find was £149.99 on amazon.co.uk. It seems that the monitor is not yet available on amazon.com. However you are able to buy the additional cameras on amazon for $89.00. We will add the product on our amazon baby monitor store as soon as it is available.Here are some specs for the baby monitor:

  • secure digital wireless monitoring - no interference from other wireless devices;
  • infrared light sensors to switch between colour images for day, and black and white images at night - no need for extra lighting;
  • a built-in night light - allowing you to see up to 3 metres in darkness;
  • a room temperature monitor - alerting you if the temperature gets too hot.
Samsung claims that the baby monitor has an interference free range of 100 meters (110 yards/328 feet) and has the capability to support 4 wireless cameras. The 3.5" colour LCD screen on the parent monitor delivers high resolution viewing and with the latest GFSK wireless technology. The audio is also 2 way which allows you to sooth and talk to your baby over the monitor when he or she is crying.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Baby apnea monitor information

Most people will experience some pauses in their breathing once in a while.This is not exclusive to adults, but can affect babies too.This type of breathing pattern is known as apnea. This is quite normal for some people, but for other people it could be a sign of health problems.Especially if a baby suffers from it. If you find yourself in this type of situation you may want to acquire the help of a baby sleep apnea monitor. 

The Different Types of Apnea

The meaning of the word "apnea" has it origins from the Greek word and it mean "without wind".This is the medical term used to describe when a person`s breathing stops occasionally.This is normal, but for some people it may be a sign of more serious medical conditions.

There are basically the main types of apnea, and they are: obstructive, central, and mixed. Obstructive apnoea is the most common type found in babies and children. It is usually caused by obstructions in the airway by enlarged tonsils or adenoids.This can be quite dangerous, particularly for infants as it mostly occurs during sleep time. As we all know, babies are not able to tell us about the symptoms.Symptoms of obstructive apnoea includes laboured breathing, snoring, changes in colour and gasping of air. The main sign however is if the baby just seems very restless.

The second type of apnea is central apnea. The most probable cause of this is caused by a defect in the part of the brain that controls the breathing. n  In babies this could be a congenital defect. Luckily central apnea is not that common in adults, but unfortunately it is common in babies who were born prematurely. Unlike obstructive apnea, central apnea can occur any time of the day.

The third type of apnea is called mixed apnea. This condition is the combination of the above mentioned two types. This is quite common in infants and can occur whether the baby is sleeping of awake.

What should I do if I think my baby has apnea?

When your child is born, he or she is evaluated to see if there are any problems.This is however just an initial examination and the baby`s condition can change in the following months.It is advisable to have your infant re-evaluated by their doctor. If apnea is detected the doctor will suggest which ways you can monitor which will most likely be to make use of a baby sleep apnea monitor.

What must I look for in a baby sleep apnea monitor?

There are a lot of different baby apnea monitors each with different features. When you choose your apnea monitor there are certain features that the device should have to ensure that you can properly monitor your baby.

Your monitor should have a heart beat monitor.No apnea monitor is 100% accurate in detecting the cessation of breathing.This is the ideal back-up in case the baby apnea monitor fails to detect apnea, because it will show in the heart rate of the baby.The monitor will also have the sensor to detect the child`s breathing.It is usually a sensor pad that is placed under the infant`s mattress and detects the child`s breathing.You also get the clip on type monitors, which clips onto the baby`s diaper and detects the child`s breathing and abdominal movements.

Another important feature that you should consider is the remote alarm.This alarm will notify when something is wrong even if you are not in the same room as your baby.It also have a power loss alarm.Lastly your baby monitor should also be able to run off AC power, to enable the monitor to work without batteries and to also charge flat batteries.




For full reviews of baby monitors please have a look at our baby monitor store.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Information about baby monitors that every parent should know.

New parents find it hard not to worry about the challenges they face with a newborn baby in the home,even if they are not present for a few minutes. There are a lot of chores parents need to do around the house, and this means they need to spend some time away from their baby.Baby monitors are made for this reason.It helps the parents keep an eye on their baby from anywhere in the home. The parents are able to see and hear the child without being in the same room as the child.

A baby monitor is a wonderful piece of modern technology. It is very easy to operate the device. You just set up a camera in the infants room, the camera records the baby, whether sleeping or awake, using a standard video recorder.The monitor transmitter then send a signal to a receiver.The signal can be send with a cable or with wireless signal.You can the observe the baby on  a stationary monitor or a hand held monitor.The hand held models works with rechargeable batteries.

If you live in smaller home a simple monitor set is more than sufficient. Larger homes will most likely require more complex systems especially if your house has multiple levels.The baby monitors these days are technologically a lot more advanced than the ones people use to use in the eighties. Some baby monitors will even play lullaby`s to your baby if program it to do it.

There are few different types of baby monitors.Here is a list of the types of baby monitors:

Audio monitors: As the name says, this type of baby monitor only make use of audio. You can listen in on your baby using a receiver and transmitter.This is the most basic type of baby monitor. You do however get 2-way systems, where the baby can also hear the parents on the other side.

Audio/Video monitor combination: These monitors make use of both video and audio. They have a baby cam that is placed in the infant`s room which is usually plugged into the plug socket. Then you have the monitor receiver which is a TV type monitor or a portable monitor that you can carry with you. You even get baby monitors with infra red cameras which enables you to observe the child during the night.

Breathing Audio monitors: The baby breathing monitor is capable of detecting if the baby stops breathing.You usually have a sensor that is placed underneath the mattress. The sensor then detects the baby`s breathing and if the baby`s breathing stops for about 20 seconds it will sound an alarm alerting the parents that there might be something wrong with the child.Baby breathing monitors are very important to use when there is a premature baby as the are very likely to stop breathing.

Other than the baby monitors listed above, you get more combinations of the above monitors. One example is a baby breathing monitor with video capabilities.

Here is a list of special features of baby monitors:

  • Baby monitors with a sound activated bar.This shows the parents the amount of noise pollution in the child`s room.
  • There are advanced baby monitoring systems equipped with top of the line infra red cameras which enables the parents too look at the baby in even the darkest room.
  • Monitors with lithium ion batteries which results in turn means longer operation between recharge cycles.
  • Newer models of baby monitors are able to work both ways.Meaning that the baby can also listen to the mothers soothing voice.
  • Baby monitors that gives off a light alarm.This is ideal when the mother is busy watching television or busy with the vacuum cleaner.This allows the mother to see a light flashing on the monitor when she is not able to hear the normal alarm.
  • There are specialized video monitors that can help to view the baby on screen with all his different gestures. These specialized monitors also help monitor the temperature in the baby's room.


How to select the right baby monitor for your baby:

  • First of all,you should choose if you would like a one way system or a two way system.
  • If you would like a baby monitor with video capabilities.Some parents prefer to also look at their babies while they are in another room.
  • Most parents prefer to have portable baby monitors as this allows the parent a lot more freedom.You can easily clip it to you pants and do work around the house without any troubles.
  • Durability.This is very important.You do not want a monitor that could fail you at a critical moment.That is why it is better to buy a well known brand where you know that you will get quality for your money.
  • It is better to choose a baby monitor that is not affected by any interference.
  • Long battery life is always a huge plus and if they are rechargeable then it is even better.
  • Some monitors also have lights that flicker when the alarms goes off.This allows the parents to have a visual alarm when they might not be able to hear the audio alarm.
  • Newer models of baby monitors have double monitors and you can also add additional monitors if you want.This is ideal if you live in a large home.Some of the newer models now have double receivers.


Here are some tips when using your baby monitor:

  • Always check your batteries and the electrical cord of the monitor.This will decrease the chances of you monitor malfunctioning.
  • Do not put any thick blankets,pillows,stuffed toys, etcetera close to the baby`s crib as this could interfere with the baby monitor.Meaning that you will not be able to hear your baby properly.
  • Place your monitor as close to the infant`s crib as you can.This will allow you to pick up even the slightest sound coming from your child
  • A baby monitor is an electric device. It should not be used around water to reduce the risk of electrocution.
  • Never allow your child to play with the monitor,this is highly dangerous.

A baby monitor is quite a versatile device.You could use it even for older children.A baby monitor is a great help for any parent especially new parents.

How much does a baby monitor cost?

A baby monitor can cost anywhere from $ 40 to $ 90 for audio models.The video monitors will cost a bit more but they average around $160.It all really depends on what features you want your monitor to have and what you can afford. A monitor is no substitute for personal supervision by the parent. An infant waking in the middle of the night cries because he or she needs to be fed or changed. Always make sure that the baby is reached within a few seconds and comforted. Nothing in the world can be more reassuring for a baby than the mother's hug.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Which type of baby monitor will suite your needs?

If you are busy searching for a baby monitor, you will discover many things that you should know before you decide which baby monitor to invest in.First of all you should decide what type of monitor would best suite your needs.There are mainly three types of baby monitors that dominates the market.They are :The traditional audio wireless baby monitor.Lately the makers have begun to make use of DECT technology which gives you much better transmission and it doesn`t accept any interference.This used to be a problem a few years ago when baby monitors used to make use of analog signals.If you neighbour used the same type of monitor then the monitors would interfere with each other and this use to cause a few headaches for some families.The second type is the video baby monitor.With the use of a baby camera placed in the room where the baby is sleeping, the parents could keep an eye over the infant with the use of a video monitor.The video monitor is usually powered by rechargeable batteries,so you could carry it with you through out the house.This is ideal so you could still do your daily tasks like washing baby`s clothes and keeping an eye on him or her.This allows you to accomplish a lot more during the day so your other family member will not feel neglected.The third type of monitors are the baby breathing monitors.These type of monitors make use of a very sensitive movements and sound sensor.The sensor is typically placed underneath the baby`s mattress.You also have the clip on types which are clipped to the baby`s diaper by the infant`s abdomen.If there sensors do not detect any movements from the newborn for about twenty seconds it sets of an audio alarm and a light that flashes on the monitor that the parents is carrying with him.You mostly get the baby breathing monitors in the sound models or with video capabilities like the video monitors.

When selecting a baby monitor parents should also decide if the would like a one-way or a two-way system.In one-way system the parents would hear the baby and in two-way systems the parents can hear the baby and the baby can also hear the parents.Durability is an essential factor that should be to considered.If your baby monitor is going to fail then it will not be able fulfil its purpose and unfortunately the consequences could be dire.That is why it is better to have a look at the well known trusted brands.The best would also be if you could have a baby monitor that would use rechargeable batteries and have a long battery life.If you would like to have a look at a wide variety of baby monitors with full customer reviews please have a look at our associates baby monitor store.