Baby monitor?

Question

I was wondering how often you guys use your baby monitor...

I received one at my baby shower, and I have never used it. In fact, my daughter is 10 weeks old, and the monitor is still in it's sealed packaging. I am considering returning it, and here's why...I work 8 hours a day, so she is normally at a sitters for at least 8.5, I am never more than 10 feet from her in the evenings, and we co-sleep, because I breastfeed. Even if we weren't co-sleeping, she would be in the same room, because I'm a single mom, living with my parents, so only one bedroom for us.

Should I take the monitor back, or keep it?

Answer 1

keep it because when you have to go cook or use the bathroom its good to have ESPECIALLY when shes sick and you want to monitor her breathing or coughing/choking......you may want to go outside on the front step and talk to a neighbor or a friend that stopped pass...it will seem way way way more valuable as she gets a little older and starts climbing out of bed or when she starts rolling over....you will need to know when shes moving about....so by all means keep it...you'll thank me later!

Answer 2

Keep the monitor for special occasions, but don't feel weird about not using it. Ours is still almost new after 7 babies. Our first house was so small we didn't need it; BUT we used it when we went in the hot tub after baby was in bed (it was the kind with lights which is good). Our house now is really big BUT so tiled and high ceilinged that sound carries really well. Plus, we've always been of the thinking that if baby is not loud enough to wake you, they don't really need you. If they really need you, YOU'LL KNOW IT without a monitor. The only other time we've used the monitor is on vacation, like at the in-laws so we could go in the pool while baby napped.

Answer 3

I'd probably hold on to it...

I live with my mom too and the older my son got the more we used it.

That's the only way I was able to put up christmas lights this year...

Baby went down for a nap and I was out front with the monitor putting up lights til baby woke up.

I garden and water plants the same way...it's great.

If you dont think you'll use it much...and it's a good one...you may want to exchange it for a less expensive model...the Safety First Crystal Clear monitor works better than the expensive one I got and it's only 16 bucks at target...that way if you don't get much use out of it...at least it wasn't a huge waste of money..

They do come in handy...but I wouldn't keep a real pricey one around...those things get dropped and get wet and break...and half of them have super crappy reception anyway so you can't even hear baby through the static (that was the problem with our pricey one)...that Saftey First one...is called Crystal Clear...and they ain't lyin...$16 bucks and it's the best one we ever had...and if I drop it...no biggie, it was 16 bucks...

Answer 4

Take it back or take it to a re-sale shop (Once Upon A Child, etc.). Put it on craigslist. Put it on Ebay. You may not be able to return it because so much time has gone by. WalMart will take returns without a receipt, I think.

I used mine A LOT....but I did not co-sleep and baby's room was a ways down the hall from ours.

If you don't need it...return it. If you know someone else having a baby...re-gift it to them!

Answer 5

definitely keep it. just to see how sensitive it is to remote sounds, give it a spin. you may soon realize that you actually can have a few minutes to yourself.
and even if you dont use it for monitoring an infant, it's pretty useful for catching the older kids not going to bed like they should be. you can hear little/quiet noises, like typing on a keyboard, or even hitting the power button...haha...poor kids.
certainly you can find someone to blackmail.

Answer 6

Keep it......I still use mine and my baby is 11 months. My friend uses hers and her baby is 16 months. They are still great to have when the child is older, just in case. You can hear what your toddler is up to without going into the room and risk them seeing you and wanting out of bed.

Answer 7

keep it since eventually you will get her in her own room and will probably be worried since you are used to her being so close i coslept for about 2 months and then put her in her own crib in my room but now im in a house where she is on the first floor and im on the second and i want to be able to hear anything that goes on down there in her room (shes 8 mths) it really helped ease my mind since i knew she was safe and could easily wake to her cries

Answer 8

I'd keep it in case you decided to move out of your parents house. I hear they are great for "spying" and listening in on your kids when they're about 6 or 7. If they're used to it being around then they won't even realise its there LOL.

Answer 9

i would keep it just incase for when she is older you may find it handy esspecially when she is that bit older if she was ill one day and you wanted to hear her of a night when she has her own room

Answer 10

Keep it, I used mine more as my kids went into toddler stages. You will appreciate it later.