How can I use my video camera for a baby monitor?

Q. I have an older digital video camera that I really don't use very much. I am trying to find a way to hook it up in the baby's-to-be room and connect it to our TV in our bedroom.

Are there certain cords that I need? Is this possible? I'm hoping to fix it so that it is on, but not recording.

A. You can get a wireless transmitter, or buy some extra long Video Cable.. But you may have a problem with the camera's auto off feature. if its not recording it will go off after a certain amount of time.

Original Question

Moms: What are things that I should absolutely register for?

Q. for my baby shower. In other words, what will I not be able to live without. So far, I have:

high chair
travel system
breast pump
baby monitor
safety gate
thermometer

diapers and wipes go without saying but I don't think people actually register for them.

A. well, u can go to babies r us website and they have a list for ppl who are going to register..of course it has a lot of things on there that you don't need, but if you weed through you can get what you need out of it...the things i liked;found most useful, etc......

.i would def recommend:
a diaper genie 2; idk why ppl don't like them, there is NO smell in my dd 's room
changing table..will save your back, good for diap changes, clothes changes, sponge baths, etc and you have shelves to store your new baby must haves....i have canvas bins on the shelves to store things that are good to have in reach or easily available...
monitor--i like the graco imonitor, recently bought a second one for another room in the house bc i liked the other one so much, it has been working well for over 8 mos now, and it has good range, battery life, and i can hear EVERYTHING; never any interference....it works great..
boppy pillow with cotton covers, soft ones don't fit as well for some reason
lots of baby hangers, and baby hangers with clips to keep outfits together
primo euro bathtub
prince lionheart diaper depot and wipewarmer; ours works well and the wipes are still very warm when we get them to out dd's bottom; and she doesn't freak out when we are out and they aren't warmed, but seems to appreciate it when they are..
health kit: brush, comb, thermometer (not an ear one, not as accurate), nail clippers, etc.
baby meds, generic is just as good and a lot cheaper...desitin(or plain zinc oxide if you can find it)..not creamy, has less zinc ox in it....infant mylicon and tylenol
lots of diapers , make sure wherever you buy them will let you exchange them for a diff size if you need to even after the return period...brus let me do that, and buy a small pack of a couple brands to see which you prefer before you open the big boxes...wipes, lots of them, without alcohol or fragrance! we use swaddlers diapers and pampers sensitive wipes; no rashes, no reactions to their ingredients, diapers hold a lot when they have too and the netting tends to keep the wet off her bottom...
lots of baby washclothes, you may have to use them on baby's bum if it is really sensitive and gets a rash....and baby towels, but you could use your reg towels if money is an issue

swing, pref swings two ways and plugs in instead of batteries
bouncy seat
infant travel system! easy, easy, easy--we got the graco tour deluxe; it is great, folds with one hand, several seating positions, lays flat for sleep; has a big basket underneath and cup holders for mom and dad, one for baby , place for snacks for baby, and a 'pocket' up top for keys, cell phone, whatever you wanna put there...
play yard, get one with bassinet feature if you want to, easier to keep baby in your room for a while before putting them in crib in their room=we have chicco discovery and it is awesome, has more padding than most, easy to wash..machine wash, most are wipe down...very sturdy, has nightlight, vibration, etc and a flip up change table, has wooden slats that slide in under mattress for support...not that much more exp than the others and much better in my opinion
passys--she loves soothies and that is all she will take..
baby wash, again frag free, dye free
frag free , dye free laundry detergent
clothes hamper or basket
lingerie bag for socks, mittens, anything little so they don't get lost in the wash...
something to put baby toys in
extra toy links
lullaby cd and small cd player; my dd has come to love white noise, she naps with a fan and a womb bear; sleeps at night with a fan....
oh, mosquito cover for your infant carrier..it's where you can see in , baby can see out, but strangers cant just walk up and touch your baby, and they will!!!!!
all i can come up with now...LOL
diaper bags; big one for everything you may need, leave in car unless you will be somewhere a long time, and a small one to stick what you will need for a short run in so you don't have to haul the bigger one

if ffing:
avent formula dispenser; has better review than the ones made by sassy, and convert to a snack cup later...i loved it so much i bought a second one!
bottles--really liked playtex ventaire advanced when she was young, more pieces but it's easy to get them clean when the top and bottom comes off...and they vent through the bottom instead of the nip so no bubbles or foam going back up into baby's milk; they will leak if you don't put them together correctly, but we have had no probs with them and have never had to replace any parts on them..if u decide on them and have leaks, email me and i will explain how to keep them from leaking...:O)
bottle and nip brushes--i really like the ones by munchking that don't have a sponge on the end of the brush, they come in diff colors mixed with white and have a great nip brush in the handles....
drying racks--again, i really like munchkins...
formula mixer: i like dr brown's formula pitcher bc you don't shake it it is only abo

Original Question

Does the Angel Care baby monitor really work? Does it really detect your babies breathing?

Q. We just wanted to get some more information on how it really works. The FAQ on the site was pretty vague. Thank you!

A. It detects movement in the crib. Breathing = movement. But you have to remember to keep anything that would create movement artificially away from the crib. That means no mobile, no fan blowing directly on the crib (not like you would anyway), and no toys that create vibrations. If your baby stops breathing, there is no movement, and the alarm would sound off. But if something like a mobile is moving and preventing the sensor from picking up this lack of baby movement...

We have one and love it. We have a very small house and we both never really felt comfortable having our daughter sleep in our bed with us. We literally did not have the room next to the bed for a bassinet, so she was in her crib from day 1.

You can set your parent's unit to continuously monitor the noises in the room, like a regular monitor, or you can set it to only pick up noises like coughs, rolling around, and cries. This was huge for me, because with a regular monitor, I wasn't ever getting any sleep. I was listening for noises which weren't there, and the constant static would drive me crazy (static is non-existent with this).

As far as the movement part of it, we never had a false alarm. The only times the monitor ever went off was when we took our baby out of the crib without shutting the nursery unit off first. There is a setting on your parent's unit that you can turn on or off, whatever you prefer...it's a rhythmic "tick" sound. As long as it ticks, it indicates that the movement sensor is working. Or if you're like us, you can turn it off and just test it once a day. My daughter is healthy, but it gave me extra piece of mind knowing that we had it. No, it doesn't *prevent* SIDS, but it helps to keep you in check with your baby. If we didn't have this monitor, I'd be going in her room while she was sleeping all the time and putting my hand on her chest to make sure she was breathing. As a new mom, I was completely petrified of everything.

Another great feature I loved is that it detects and displays in digital format the temperature in your baby's room on your parent's unit. You can set it to sound off an alarm if the temperature in the nursery drops too low or kicks up too high, at temps specified by you.

The parent's unit is cordless and rechargeable, and the charge lasts a full day and night, and probably longer, but we've never let it go that long.

My daughter is 14.5 months and we still use the unit as a sound monitor only. After trying all kinds of monitors, even as a sound monitor I would have spent the extra money for it.

To me, the cost of the monitor is pennies to give you that extra piece of mind.

Original Question

How many of you let your babies sleep on their stomach?

Q. My baby sleeps really well on her stomach. but the pediatrician only wants me to let her sleep on her back which she doesn't do well with at all. How many of your babies sleep on their tummies and have you had any problems with it?

A. If your child sleeps better on her stomach then let her. Start off trying it only at nap time when you can sit there and can monitor her. Take all that extra crap out of the crib so she isn't sticking her face in a stuffed animal or a pile of fuzzy blankets. Then progress at your comfort level. That is what I did. As soon as she learns how to roll over she is going to do it on her own anyway, if that is how she likes to sleep.

Do what works for you and your child, don't let people scare you by telling you your child will die because of it. Sadly, yes babies have died but they have also died while sleeping on their backs. 20 years ago they told us that babies had to sleep on their stomach now its their back and 20 years from now they will come up with something different to say.

I hope you and your baby have a great nights sleep:)

Original Question

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When did you remove the baby monitor from your childs room?

Q. My daughter is 8 months old so she's obviously way too young to remove the monitor and I probably wouldn't consider it before she was 2 or 3, but I was thinking about it and I don't really know at what age the baby monitor is typically done away with.

A. I know we're in the minority, but I still have monitors in both my girls' room (ages 5 and 6) and in my son's room (age 2). They're there mostly so that they don't have to yell for us if they need something and we're downstairs. Having the monitors helps me determine if I need to intervene in an argument while they're playing, allows me to hear a child who needs help in the bathroom, and generally helps me be more aware of what's going on upstairs while I'm downstairs.

We don't use the monitors once we go to bed since all the bedrooms are right next to each other. Sometimes I wonder if I should take the monitor out of my girls' room since it's clearly not a necessity, but they don't seem to mind it. They know it's there, and they know we can hear them if they call for us quietly (which keeps them from yelling and waking up their brother if he's asleep).

Heck, I use the monitor to call things down to my husband or the kids, too -- like my own personal PA system. ;-)

I think it just depends on the size/layout of your house and what works for you and your family. There's no right or wrong answer here.

Original Question

What baby monitor(s) don't interfere with each other?

Q. I have 2 kids under the age of 2, each with their own room, at an opposite side of the house from my husband and I. We need to find a monitor(s) that doesn't interfere with the other so that we can hear both of them at night.

A. It's not the monitor, but the frequency it uses that interfere with another. TYou'll need to find two monitors that work on different frequencies or there are some that come with a switch allowing you to choose from two frequencies.

Original Question

Does anyone know where I could find a double baby monitor?

Q. I need to find a double baby monitor for my sisters new house. She has 2 babies (16 month and 3 month) and needs a double monitor. What I mean is 2 receivers and 2 speakers that all work together so she can put a receiver in each of the babies rooms and 1 speaker upstairs and one downstairs. If anyone knows where I could find one online or in a store that would be great thanks :)

A. As far as I have been able to find, there is no such thing. You can't have two transmitters because they use the same radio frequencies - the signals interfere with each other so you just get static on the receiver. Same thing applies if you try buying two different sets of monitors - one for each baby - because ALL baby monitors share the same narrow range of frequencies due to government regulation of the radio frequencies.

My solution is to have one conventional baby monitor with 2 receivers (for one kid) and one intercom set for the other kid. The intercoms I'm using are a 3-piece set I bought from radio shack. They plug into the wall and will work 2-ways. You set the one in the baby's room to "lock" and turn the other ones on and it works just like a baby monitor. Since the baby monitor is wireless and the intercoms send the signal through the electrical wires of the house, the signals don't interfere with each other.

Original Question

Can the start of labor ever feel like a kidney stone?

Q. I've had 2 kids and 30 kidney stones, but last time I was checked (a year ago) I had no stones left. It is possible one has formed since then. I am 36 weeks pregnant. I'm having a pain in my side that reminds me of a kidney stone but like I said, last check I had none. Can labor ever start on one side and feel that way? I don't want to go into the ER just for a stone.

A. I had a kidney stone while I was pregnant with my 1st child. I didn't know what it was at the time. I thought I was in labor so I went to the hospital and they told me to go home and wait it out. All they were able to do was to listen to the baby's heartbeat and monitor my contractions. They said my contractions weren't able to be timed so I should come back later. Then a week later the same thing happened again. (I had this happen to me 3 different times before I finally went into labor for real). My dad suffers with stones too and I told him what it felt like and he knew exactly what it was. (It's sad my own dad can tell me I'm not in labor and diagnose my problem when a doctor can't). But anyways, they can't do a CT scan since your pregnant so it's really hard for them to tell if that's what the problem is. Take my advice and call your doctor about it anyways, because it is better for them to know about what's going on than not. If you get to the hospital and they tell you that you aren't in labor then ask them to do an ultrasound; they had to do that with me (even though they still weren't able to find one). But most of the time they will be able to see if there is one in there. Labor can start almost any way it wants to. Some times it is called "back labor", but either way, I would let my doctor know what's going on.

Be Blessed and congrats!

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Where can I buy BT Baby Monitor Plus For the best price?

Q. Ive done my research, and the BT BABY MONITOR PLUS I think is worth the money - but its a lot of money! Anyone know where to buy one relatively cheaply?

A. compare the prices online on
target.com
babysrus.com
walmart.com
and stores like that =]

Original Question

What are you're opinions on the color video baby monitors?

Q. My aunt asked for a new baby minitor in her baby gift registry and I was thinking of getting her the Handheld Color Video Monitor from Target. Its $199.00 and I want it to be worth the money. Is it worth it? Anyone like it/dislike it? Please give me your opinions. I think it is really neat that you can see the baby and everything, but is it too good to be true?

A. I disagree with the above answer. We actually have a video monitor for our 6 month old son, and it's great! With regualr monitors, all you hear is the sound. You cant always tel whats going on just by the sound you hear. With the video monitor, you can hear the sound, and see what is going on as well. Sometimes, with just a regualr monitor, you will hear somthing strange, and run in to check it out, and it really be nothing. We had many false alarms becasue sound alone doesnt answer concerns.

The video on the monitor is actually pretty clear. On some, you can actually record on it too, incase you want to use it as a security camera!

Original Question

Have you ever tried at home baby heart monitors?

Q. I am considering getting a baby heart monitor so that we can see if we can hear her heartbeat at home. Has anyone ever had any luck w/ the ones from target?

A. i'm not sure about the target ones but i was thinking about buying one from walmart and based on the reviews i read for it i'm unsure whether or not to go ahead and get it.
2 reviews said gave it good rating and 2 gave it bad ratings.

heres the link for the one i was looking at:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5983010

its only $20 so i guess if it doesn't work it isn't too big of a loss. plus you can always return it.

if you do decide to get one make sure you read the reviews. they're very helpful.

so i couldn't be more of a help.

Original Question

Would you go over to your neighbors house while your child was napping?

Q. ...if you brought the baby monitor or if you had one of those video baby monitors? My friend and I are debating about it.

A. NO WAY

Well. a mom did this in our town a couple of years ago. The hot water tank exploded and all three kids died in the fire. She was unable to get into the house to save them, and all under age 5 so they were probably terrified. They were found on the floor in their rooms, probably trying to escape or find mom. And then last summer, I think, there was that Texas day care fire in a home. The day care lady put them down for nap, and went to Target. She returned the smoke was too thick to go inside. Kids died.

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What health conditions on my baby's father's side would my ob/gyn need to know about?

Q. I have my first prenatal visit today and I was wondering, they are going to ask me about my family history, will they ask about my boyfriend's? Does it even matter if there are family members on his side with diabetes ect.? And what health problems would my doctor need to know about on my boyfriend's side (if any)? Smoking, drug use, ect?

A. Your OB is mostly concerned with your health and your family's history. If your mom or sister has diabetes your doctor will want to monitor you for gestational diabetes more closely. Your boyfriend's mom having diabetes isn't going to effect your pregnancy in any way though. The main thing your OB will want to know about your boyfriend is if birth defects, excessive miscarriages, still births, etc, run in his family, and if he knows that hes a carrier for any rare diseases.

Original Question

Im on my 3rd baby is it normal to start gaining a little weight?

Q. Im already growing out of my bras and pants and im only 2 months pregnate today. Is it normal after 2 babies?
Im only 2 months pregnate now and i havent had it yet it will be my 3rd. and its been 3 years since i had my youngest son. Is it normal to start gaining weight right away? Ive been real active also and i went from 120 to 138 really fast. I also had gestational diabeties with my 2nd son too.

A. Yes, it is normal to gain weight after and during pregnancy but you have to watch it since it looks like you already have a history of gestational diabetes which would be a more serious problem than gaining weight. I suggest you to seek consult with your OB and always monitor your weight weekly.

Original Question

What concerns should I have if any about high blood pressure and pregnancy?

Q. My blood pressure is slightly elevated. I'm concerned that if I got pregnant that it would affect the baby negatively. If there are any health professionals out there who can give me sound advice on this please respond to how high blood pressure would affect a pregnancy and should I be concerned and what are the problems that could/would occur. I hav no knowledge so any information would be helpful Thanks.

A. That all really depends on exactly how high sightly elevated blood pressure you are talking about. Is this a diagnosis you got from the doctor, or just something you believe is a problem? The first thing you need to do, regardless of your pregnancy plans, is to get the blood pressure taken care of. Your doctor is the best one to advise you on that, but for starters, they usually begin with recommending a low salt diet, getting your weight to a normal level, and exercises. If those don't lower it, then you are talking medication, usually starting with a diuretic type medication. And if that still won't lower it enough, you look at stuff like beta blockers. As far as the effect on a pregnancy, that all depends again on how high you are talking, and what is controlling it. If you are controlled with diet and exercise, it should still maintain the control during pregnancy. They don't particularly like to have expectant ladies on medications, but with monitoring it can still be done safely for you and the baby. The first place to start is with your doctor though, for a full workup to determine if you actually have a problem. High blood pressure during pregancy does pose a few risks, yes. For you, the high blood pressure puts you at risk for pre-eclampsia, kidney failure, and gestational diabetes. It raises your later risk for kidney disease, diabetes and heart disease. High blood pressure puts stress on the placenta, and therefore the baby, because not enough oxygen and nutrients can be delivered. That may result in a low birth weight, premature delivery, and developmental problems. The high blood pressure also puts you at risk for a condition called placental abruption, where the placenta is separated from the uterine wall before delivery can occur. That condition causes you and the baby to bleed, sometimes it can be fatal for both of you. You are further at risk during delivery, when blood pressure naturally rises, for a stroke. Immediately following delivery, your chances for bleeding are increased as well. Although you can and would be monitored closely during the entire pregnancy, and likely would be delivered via c-section, it's worth your time to do what you can to lower your blood pressure before you actually get pregnant. Then of course, you would still want to advise your OB about your past history of hypertension, as you would still be considered higher risk because of it. How likely the complications would be is really dependant on how bad your hypertension is, and how well controlled it is, and how it is controlled. If it is only borderline, then it should be easy enough to control with diet and exercise- not actually a bad idea for anyone really- pregnant, hypertensive or not. And the diet would be good for pregnancy as well. So start with visiting your doctor for the workup, and then go from there once you have advice tailored to your particular situation and needs. Don't get scared by all the stuff I wrote, as I gave you the fullest picture and worst case scenarios. It doesn't mean it will happen to you, but you asked for the truth and I felt you deserved the fullest picture I could give you. Don't let it scare you out of motherhood, let it motivate you to get into control and be a healthy mother. Good luck, and may you be a healthy mom to one cute and healthy baby.

Original Question

What's the average timeframe that a stillborn can stay in the womb before she naturally goes into labor?

Q. I'm trying to write a report but I'm having a tough time finding some of the information I need. Such as when a baby is stillborn, how long can it stay in the mother before her body naturally goes into labor? and when she does go into labor, without being induced, does the labor happen normally as if the baby were alive? I need answers that don't involve modern medicines and practices.

A. When a baby dies in utero and is considered stillborn, it is often "missed" meaning a woman doesn't bleed, feel pain, or cramping. The only outward sign might be that she doesn't feel her baby move one day and wonders if something is wrong. It is almost always confirmed by a doctor with a fetal heart rate monitor or an ultrasound showing lack of a heartbeat. In early pregnancy, the body begins the motions of expelling a deceased fetus between 2days and 2 weeks, but as pregnancy continues, the woman's body is much less likely to go into labor once a baby has passed away. Between 10 and 15 or so weeks, the body might go into labor on it's own after a week or two, but often it does not. And after 16 or 17 weeks, the body often doesn't go into labor on it's own. A woman must be induced. History shows that before modern medicine, many babies that died late in utero stayed in their mother's bodies for months, years, and often indefinitely.

Original Question

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How do I choose the best frequency for my cordless phone?

Q. What is the difference between the frequencies?

A. the best a safest you can get right now is the DECT6.0....

http://www.101phones.com/browse/18b145148f9d8fa63849b02bfc08698e/DECT_6.0_phones/?link=leftmenu

What's the difference between 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz phones?

Your average cordless phone is actually a radio transmitter/receiver that operates across various radio frequencies. The three currently used frequencies are 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz. As you step up in frequency, you'll experience an increase in the signal clarity and the range your phone can reach from its base station. However, the actual range and sound quality of your phone can be affected by obstructions within your home and interference from other electronic devices. Here are some general guidelines for choosing one of the three frequencies:
900 MHz

Most manufacturers have begun to phase out 900 MHz phones with AT&T having phased them out completely. Phones operating on this frequency are fine for household use and reasonably priced, though the features offered with these phones are limited.
2.4 GHz

The majority of phones on the market today operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency. This higher frequency provides better performance and sound quality than 900 MHz models. With more models to choose from, you'll also find more available features, including integrated speakerphones and support for multiple handsets. One thing to keep in mind is that other electronic gadgets, from baby monitors to wireless networking gear, increasingly use the 2.4 GHz band and may cause interference. If you use these items in your home, consider purchasing a 5.8 GHz phone.
5.8 GHz

5.8 GHz phones offer the latest in cordless telephone technology with the best clarity, range and possibly security. The biggest advantage to a 5.8 GHz phone is that its frequency band is less trafficked than the 2.4 GHz band, resulting in less interference. The chips that generate the 5.8 GHz signal are more expensive to manufacture, so expect to pay a bit more.
Analog versus digital

You can find both analog and digital models within all three of the main frequencies (900 MHz, 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz).
Analog

Analog technology applies to a system of recording or transmitting sound. In an analog system, the changing energy in the sound is converted to energy variations in another medium, for example, magnetism in a tape.

Analog cordless phones are the most affordable and available option. You will experience adequate range and good voice quality. Drawbacks include poor security (anyone with a radio scanner will be able to listen in) and static when you move too far away from the base station.
Digital

Digital technology is also system of recording or transmitting sound. In digital systems, the changing energy in the sound is continually measured.

Original Question

How easy is it to tap someones phone?

Q. I have a friend who recently broke up with a boyfriend. He is still trying to contact her, but she tells me he seems to know unusual details of her private phone conversations and brings them up to her. How can I help her, and how would I help her find out if her phone was tapped?

A. very easy to tap a POTS (landline phone) or a VoIP phone that has been connected to your existing wiring, and the wire still goes outside of your home to the NID box...

VoIP is not easy, if not impossible to tap (illegally)
cellular is not easy if not impossible to tap..

feds can tap anything... but it usually requires connections from the telephone company office, not something the average person has access to...

if you have any 900Mhz cordless phones, throw them out.. replace your cordless phones with any technology that has DSS or FHSS (2.4,5.8, DECT)..... DECT is the best choice...

if there are any baby monitors, or wireless intercoms, or any other device that transmits sound wirelessly, remove them or turn them off..

Original Question

What are the cons of running Wi-Fi in a home setting?

Q. I want to set my new lap top up to my wireless router. If I used Wi-Fi the signal would run through the kitchen. I've previously tried sending a signal to a desktop computer in the back of my home but it failed to receive it. What kind of distractions could I experience? Does the phone effect a signal? A friend told me my giant speakers also effect the signal? Is this true? What do I need to watch out for to have wireless signal in my house?

A. Wi-Fi is simply data being transmitted over the air in the same way that analogue TV or Radio is.

There are LOTS of things that will interfere with the signal - here are some of the more common ones at home:

Walls (Brick, plaster, most anything!)
Floors (as walls)
DECT telephones
Analogue wireless telephones
Baby monitors (not necessarily yours)
Overhead power cables
Water pipes
Microwave ovens
Televisions
Radios
CB radios
Walkie Talkies (kids often the culprit on these!)
Other wireless networks
HiFi speakers

and so on

There are lots of ways to measure the signal - but my preferred route at home is to use the Homeplug system - it always works and I have the version that is almost the same speed as my broadband - in fact it is my 100mb LAN card that is the bottle neck.

Homeplug sends the data over your existing AC (electrical) cabling and the units can be bought freely on line or eBay.

++++++++++

To answer Hunter's criticism below.

1. Research is key Hunter - here's a couple of links so you can go and buy the right gear

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SOLWISE-PL-85PE-85MBPS-HOMEPLUG-ETHERNET-ADAPTER-NEW_W0QQitemZ150148599955QQihZ005QQcategoryZ40995QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
(85Mbps)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-x-HomePlug-200Mbps-Very-Fast-Ethernet-Over-The-Mains_W0QQitemZ300138577955QQihZ020QQcategoryZ40995QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
(200Mbps which is the version I have)

2. Not knowing is not a problem - not checking makes us look silly.....

Original Question

Is it better to select a specific channel instead of auto on my netgear router to reduce...?

Q. ...interference problems?
A few times w week family members experience the inability to connect to my wireless network. I am thinking it may be interference of some sort. Sometimes it lasts a the better part of a day. I already changed my cordless phone system to a DECT 6.0 which helped greatly, but it still happens sometimes. Will selecting a specific cahnnel help? If so, which one?

A. If you live in an apartment complex, while you might have changed out your 2.4GHz phones with DECT 6.0 phones (which actually operate at 1.9GHz, just in case you were curious; DECT6 is a standard number, not a frequency), your neighbors might not have changed out theirs. Thus, you could still be getting interference from such phones. Also, there are other devices that tend to work in that frequency range: wireless intercoms, baby monitors, etc. If you have any of these devices, make sure to check their manuals to see that they are not in the same frequency range.

Now, if you want my educated guess as to whether it will help to set a specific channel, while I say possibly since there is a chance that it will, I would say that the result will probably be no. The reason being that, while you may set your router not to hope around between the eleven available channels, the other devices that could be causing interference will still hop around and will occasionally end up on the same channel, thus continuing to cause the interference anyway.

Also, something else to be aware of, if you do set it to a specific channel, make sure that you aren't shooting yourself in the foot. Some routers require the ability to use certain channels to achieve maximum throughput. For example, to get the best connectivity on my D-Link DIR-625 Wireless-N router, I must use channel 6. Depending on which model of Netgear router you have, you could be in a similar situation. If you would send me a note saying what model of router you have, I could better advise you as to how best to set up your router.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions or need further assistance.

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What are some baby items you really enjoy having?

Q. I'm talking about things that the baby likes, or things that make life more convienent. Not MUST haves, but things you really like having.

A. well, u can go to babies r us website and they have a list for ppl who are going to register..of course it has a lot of things on there that you don't need, but if you weed through you can get what you need out of it...the things i liked;found most useful, etc......

.i would def recommend:
a diaper genie 2; idk why ppl don't like them, there is NO smell in my dd 's room
changing table..will save your back, good for diap changes, clothes changes, sponge baths, etc and you have shelves to store your new baby must haves....i have canvas bins on the shelves to store things that are good to have in reach or easily available...
monitor--i like the graco imonitor, recently bought a second one for another room in the house bc i liked the other one so much, it has been working well for over 8 mos now, and it has good range, battery life, and i can hear EVERYTHING; never any interference....it works great..
boppy pillow with cotton covers, soft ones don't fit as well for some reason
lots of baby hangers, and baby hangers with clips to keep outfits together
primo euro bathtub
prince lionheart diaper depot and wipewarmer; ours works well and the wipes are still very warm when we get them to out dd's bottom; and she doesn't freak out when we are out and they aren't warmed, but seems to appreciate it when they are..
health kit: brush, comb, thermometer (not an ear one, not as accurate), nail clippers, etc.
baby meds, generic is just as good and a lot cheaper...desitin(or plain zinc oxide if you can find it)..not creamy, has less zinc ox in it....infant mylicon and tylenol
lots of diapers , make sure wherever you buy them will let you exchange them for a diff size if you need to even after the return period...brus let me do that, and buy a small pack of a couple brands to see which you prefer before you open the big boxes...wipes, lots of them, without alcohol or fragrance! we use swaddlers diapers and pampers sensitive wipes; no rashes, no reactions to their ingredients, diapers hold a lot when they have too and the netting tends to keep the wet off her bottom...
lots of baby washclothes, you may have to use them on baby's bum if it is really sensitive and gets a rash....and baby towels, but you could use your reg towels if money is an issue

swing, pref swings two ways and plugs in instead of batteries
bouncy seat
infant travel system! easy, easy, easy--we got the graco tour deluxe; it is great, folds with one hand, several seating positions, lays flat for sleep; has a big basket underneath and cup holders for mom and dad, one for baby , place for snacks for baby, and a 'pocket' up top for keys, cell phone, whatever you wanna put there...
play yard, get one with bassinet feature if you want to, easier to keep baby in your room for a while before putting them in crib in their room=we have chicco discovery and it is awesome, has more padding than most, easy to wash..machine wash, most are wipe down...very sturdy, has nightlight, vibration, etc and a flip up change table, has wooden slats that slide in under mattress for support...not that much more exp than the others and much better in my opinion
passys--she loves soothies and that is all she will take..
baby wash, again frag free, dye free
frag free , dye free laundry detergent
clothes hamper or basket
lingerie bag for socks, mittens, anything little so they don't get lost in the wash...
something to put baby toys in
extra toy links
lullaby cd and small cd player; my dd has come to love white noise, she naps with a fan and a womb bear; sleeps at night with a fan....
oh, mosquito cover for your infant carrier..it's where you can see in , baby can see out, but strangers cant just walk up and touch your baby, and they will!!!!!
all i can come up with now...LOL
diaper bags; big one for everything you may need, leave in car unless you will be somewhere a long time, and a small one to stick what you will need for a short run in so you don't have to haul the bigger one

if ffing:
avent formula dispenser; has better review than the ones made by sassy, and convert to a snack cup later...i loved it so much i bought a second one!
bottles--really liked playtex ventaire advanced when she was young, more pieces but it's easy to get them clean when the top and bottom comes off...and they vent through the bottom instead of the nip so no bubbles or foam going back up into baby's milk; they will leak if you don't put them together correctly, but we have had no probs with them and have never had to replace any parts on them..if u decide on them and have leaks, email me and i will explain how to keep them from leaking...:O)
bottle and nip brushes--i really like the ones by munchking that don't have a sponge on the end of the brush, they come in diff colors mixed with white and have a great nip brush in the handles....
drying racks--again, i really like munchkins...
formula mixer: i like dr brown's formula pitcher bc you don't shake it it is only abo

Original Question

Has anyone used a video baby monitor?

Q. How do they work?
What are the pros and cons?
I am thinking about buying one that you can have two monitors and see two rooms at once and was wondering how many people prefer it.

A. Congrats on baby #2!

I couldn't live with out my video monitor!! I have the Summer Infant Day & Night Handheld Color Video Monitor. The picture is so clear both at night and during the day. I love being able to check on my baby with out waking her. I don't even have to get out of bed unless she really needs me! I think if I only had the audio, I would have been getting up a lot more often to investigate every sound, especially during the first few months. The handheld part has a button on top so you can turn off the video screen if the light bothers you at night. Then if you hear something you feel you need to check on, simply click the button and the video comes back on. I read the reviews for this product. Many people say they could not get a signal. I never had a problem. I also read that they can interfere with wi-fi. My husband is a web developer... he never would have allowed wi-fi interference!

I highly recommend this monitor to all my friends. The only con I can think of is that I have had to change the channel due to static. Seriously, it's a flick of a button and I've had to do it maybe 3 times in 7 months. No biggie! I know you can get an extra camera for this monitor, but I don't need one yet. Here is what one person commented: "We bought a second camera to go with the monitor we already had. I love being able to switch back and forth between my two kids' rooms. Only issue is if the monitor is too close to one camera, you can have interference when trying to check on the other one."

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2265802

Hope this helps.

Original Question

What is your baby doing right now?

Q. I have been closely monitoring YA for the past week or so and have discovered that the majority of the mothers who say that they are only online when their baby is sleeping, are actually online and answering questions all of the time. Does this mean that their child has a sleep problem and sleeps an awful lot or that they're neglectful parents?

So, what is your baby doing right now while you're on YA?

A. My daughter is nursing right now and falling asleep....

its called multi-tasking.

ETA: you must have a lot of extra time on your hands to be "monitoring" us.

Original Question

What is everything you absolutely need for your 1st baby?

Q. I'm just trying to add everything I absolutely need up before I buy the cute/extra things you could go without. Thanks!
Good lord? Sorry I don't want to miss anything?

A. CLOTHES:
4 - 6 baby washcloths
4-5 bodysuits
4-5 infant t-shirts (these are good to have before the umbilical cord falls off, so baby's cord isn't smushed)
3 gowns
1-2 baby hats
2 pairs of baby mits, newborns like to scratch at their face
3 hooded bath towels
2-3 long sleeve footie rompers
2-3 onesies
4-5 pairs of socks and booties
3-4 pairs of pull on pants
4 receiving blankets or swaddle blankets
1 sweater or jacket

PERSONAL CARE:
No tears bubble bath
No tears shampoo, I just love the Johnsons range of baby care products, that's how a baby should smell :-)
Sudocrem or nappy cream, for those sore little botties!
Baby wipes.
Cotton wool.
Baby lotion or some form of baby moisturiser. After your baby is first born he may get very dry skin.
Baby nail clippers.
Soothers, dummies, pacifiers.
Diapers

THE BIG STUFF:
Crib, swinging crib.
Sheets and blankets, please check the size that you will need and buy accordingly.
A baby monitor if you intend to put baby in another room, you'll be able to hear if he needs you.
Soft Towels or a baby robe.
Baby bath.
High chair.
Stroller.
Bouncy chair (helps to soothe and relax a niggly baby, vibrating ones are even better!)
Car seat.

FEEDING:
Breast pump (if your BF)
Bottles
Formula
Burp Cloth
etc.etc.

Everything else is not needed.

Original Question

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my home wireless connection is very poor. what can i get to give it boost?

Q.

A. There are several things you can do; To start with the basic rule is to position the router as high and as centrally as possible in your house.

1] Try changing the broadcast channel from the wireless setup interface for your router/modem.You can normally access this by typing "http://192.168.0.1/" into your browsers search bar and then look for the wireless settings menu.
You don't say if your router can use the 5GHz frequency or just the 2.4GHz. The best channels in the 2.5GHz spectrum are 1,6, 11, or 13 as they have less overlap with the other channels.

There is a useful article here about how to get the best performance by selecting the best channel.: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/21132/change-your-wi-fi-router-channel-to-optimize-your-wireless-signal/

If you have an android smarthphone, or a friend does, then install the Wifi Analyzer app free from android market and use it to scan for the best channel and change your routers broadcast channel accordingly. This app will aslo show you all the wifi signals in range that your neighbours are using, so you can select a different channel to them, making a stronger signal for you. https://market.android.com/details?id=com.farproc.wifi.analyzer&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS5mYXJwcm9jLndpZmkuYW5hbHl6ZXIiXQ..


2] You can use a tool like Nirsofts totally free WirelessNet View to look at all the local wireless signals that are within range and may be competing with your own router and interfering with reception. from here: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wireless_network_view.html

3] You can buy a Wi-Fi booster like D-Link 645 Smartbeam, here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/D-Link-DIR-645-Wireless-Router-Technology/dp/B005OPO63S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1323867281&sr=8-2
Devices such as these can actually boost the wifi signal by using multiple beams that bounce of the walls and are intelligently directed toward whatever device [smarhphone, laptop, tablet] you are using on wifi.

4] If your using the 2.4GHz frequency and not the 5GHz then other devices that use this frequency band can alsso interfere with your reception [eg baby monitors and microwave ovens use 2.4GHz]. Try and make sure that none of these devices are situated between your router and your wifi receiver eg laptop, tablet, smarthphone etc

Original Question

Internet acting weird.?

Q. So I'm using an Android (No Iphone trolls saying Android sucks or anything) and I'm literally a few feet away from my router. I'm on wi-fi yet I get 2 bars. I never get 3. This became a recent issue. I have disconnected my router and installed its drivers again. Turned off my phone. And also had tried connecting over and over. Any suggestions to fix this? And also how to improve internet speed slightly?

A. The internet is weird because it's full of weirdos, duh!

Joking aside...reinstalling the drivers for your router won't fix the problem. That has nothing to do with the speed and capability of the router.

You would need to update it's firmware. You will have to access the router's setup page, download the firmware file, and update it through there. However, that may or may not fix the problem because that may not even be the cause of the problem.

In order to eliminate the problem, you have to figure out what's causing it and address it.

The thing with WiFi is, any little thing can cause interference which can cause your signal strength to degrade. Anything from a microwave, 2.4Ghz phone, baby monitor, large solid object in the path, bad configuration on WiFi settings (using a channel that everyone in your neighborhood also uses is a good way to lower signal strength and increase interference), etc.

Try switching to a different channel, a less used one. If you have your phone on you, take a look at all the other wireless networks that the phone can detect and see which channels they are on. Pick a channel for your router that none of them use or the least used one.

Eliminate any other causes of interference, such as the phone, microwave, etc and change the location of the router. Routers are built normally with an omnidirectional antenna which spreads the signal in a large radius. Putting a router on the floor next to a wall would be bad placement.

Depending on the hardware in your Android, it might be 802.11b/g/n...n has the highest throughput but requires that the router is also 802.11n AND no other type of device connected to the network. If you connect b or g devices to the network, the wireless router switches to mix-mode to enable those devices to work and your n speed just dropped. If you have that type of network set up, think about switching to all n or just turn off those b/g devices.

Original Question

Wireless router is really slow?

Q. So I have cable w/ a wireless router. One computer is plugged into it directly and gets 36/6. But on my laptop being wireless only gets 19/6. the upload is still at 6 mb/s. but why is the download cap dropping so much? its a Linksys E2500. It says it can take up to 300 mb/s ?!??! please help D=

A. There are several things that can affect wifi signal and its strength and many things you can do to try and improve things
To start with the basic rule is to position the router as high and as centrally as possible in your house.

1] Try changing the broadcast channel from the wireless setup interface for your router/modem.You can normally access this by typing "http://192.168.0.1/" into your browsers search bar and then look for the wireless settings menu.
You don't say if your router can use the 5GHz frequency or just the 2.4GHz. The best channels in the 2.5GHz spectrum are 1,6, 11, or 13 as they have less overlap with the other channels.

There is a useful article here about how to get the best performance by selecting the best channel.: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/21132/cha�

If you have an android smarthphone, or a friend does, then install the Wifi Analyzer app free from android market and use it to scan for the best channel and change your routers broadcast channel accordingly. This app will aslo show you all the wifi signals in range that your neighbours are using, so you can select a different channel to them, making a stronger signal for you. https://market.android.com/details?id=co�


2] You can use a tool like Nirsofts totally free WirelessNet View to look at all the local wireless signals that are within range and may be competing with your own router and interfering with reception. from here: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wireless_ne�

3] You can buy a Wi-Fi booster like D-Link 645 Smartbeam, here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/D-Link-DIR-645-W�
Devices such as these can actually boost the wifi signal by using multiple beams that bounce of the walls and are intelligently directed toward whatever device [smarhphone, laptop, tablet] you are using on wifi.

4] If your using the 2.4GHz frequency and not the 5GHz then other devices that use this frequency band can alsso interfere with your reception [eg baby monitors and microwave ovens use 2.4GHz]. Try and make sure that none of these devices are situated between your router and your wifi receiver eg laptop, tablet, smarthphone etc

Original Question

Legality of spy software on mobile phones?

Q. Ok, so I bought an android phone and allowed my ex-girlfriend/baby-momma to use it. I was wondering, what the legality of using the SMS messages and the surround recordings are in the state of Alabama?

Since I bought the phone, and simply allowed her to use it, doesn't that make everything that happens on that phone my property? I understand that I can't use the call recordings due to Alabama being a one-party state, but what about the surround recordings? And the pictures, the SMS messages, etc...

I guess the main question is, would I be able to use them as evidence in court?
CK, thank you for your response. Yes it is my phone, however with it being MY phone how would she have a reasonable expectation of privacy? That is my main question.

I understand the concept of "reasonable expectation of privacy" however to me this is a big grey area. As she knows it is my phone the shouldn't she be under the impression that I should be able to see everything that happens on the phone?

A. It is legal if you use it to monitor your children, employees in most cases. And it depends on your local law.
http://ikeymonitor.com/faqs#1

Original Question

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How do you get things for FREE??

Q. I'd like to turn this question into a forum of sorts, where people could respond with their own personal stories or experiences getting things for free.

I just got heavily into the free sample lifestlye and I want to take this shiite to the next level.
Have people had any luck simply writing to companies asking to try their products free of charge?

A. If a person is in need of a furniture, sometimes people that just bought new furniture will leave their old furniture near the road for the trash pick-up to pick-up. So you can walk around and see if anybody is throwing any furniture away and if you see something that you may need, go get your truck and pick it up and take it home.

One time, we sat out a microwave that was fried. We were cooking something and the microwave started sparking like too much electricity was going through it. You know when you have a 10V device and you try to run 20V into it. What happens? You are right, too much electricity goes through it and burns it up. We sat that out near the trash, along with a 19 inch computer monitor that did not work, and someone came by and picked them up. I'm glad that person could use those things. I don't know what that person will use them for. Maybe he knew somebody that recycled electronics and would give him like $5 for all that stuff.

You could also look in garbage cans, and garbage dumpsters. Sometimes people throw good stuff away. I once knew a person that found a baby doll missing one eye. I'm sure that could be easily fixed.

If you are a smoker, instead of buying your own cigarettes, you could try bumming. How bumming a cigarette works is, you go up to someone smoking and say, (look really desperate and tired) could I bum a cigarette off you? Act like you are using your last bit of oxygen talking to the person. If you don't like to bum, then you could look in ashtrays for cigarettes. Most people won't finish a cigarette. They take a some puffs and put it out, leaving a pretty good length to smoke.

My ideas of getting stuff for free.

------------------------------------------------------------
Gillette sent me a brand new razor about 6 years ago. I still use it to this day. So you might try writing to Gillette and asking them if they would send you a free razor. Make the letter sound like you really want to support them.

Trojan gives away free condoms to young people to show that they care about preventing youth pregnancies. So you might want to write them and ask them for some condoms.

If you drink a lot of sodas, say Pepsi, save up your receipts and send a letter along with the receipts asking if they would send you some coupons or give you a free case of soda since you support them so heavily.

I think baseball stadiums gives tickets away. These tickets won't give you good seats. You might need binoculars to enjoy the game. I don't think the free seats will provide view of the big screen because you will be way up in the air right underneath the roof, so that roof might block your view a little bit. Oh, and I don't think the food vendor person is going to walk all the way up there just to give you a hotdog and drink. They serve only people closest to the field.

Original Question

Do you have any diapers, Enfamil Lipil, baby boy clothing, a sterilizer, or unwanted baby items? Mom-in-need?

Q. Do you have any diapers, Enfamil Lipil formula or checks, baby boy clothing, a monitor, sterilizer, swing, coupons, or other baby boy items that you no longer need?

I had an ovarian tumor and three surgeries and have had lots of medical problems within the last year which has caused severe financial difficulties. We do not qualify for WIC, I have to formula-feed for medical reasons, and I don't have family to help me.

Money is extremely tight right now, I am giving birth to a baby boy in 9 weeks, and we can use all the help we can get. We don't have anything for our baby. Once we get back on our feet, I could send you any coupons or kids items that I come across if you want. Please let me know at mrssoldier33@yahoo.com.

Thank you with all of my heart. <3

P.S. I have joined freecycle.org and but haven't received any responses yet. I also tried craigslist.org but there are not any free items in my area (just lots of wanted).
Autumnishere, I had the tumor before we got married and therefore was not covered under my husband's insurance. Most insurance companies would not cover me and the one that did charged me $1000 a month. You've made me feel even lower by having to ask for help. Despite your true ignorance, I still hope that someday you never have to experience this. Good luck to you.
If there are any moms or dads out there that are in a position were they can sincerely help, I would appreciate it more than you know. Once we get back on our feet, we can send you any coupons or kids items we come across if you need them.

A. Autumn is here- why would you possibly give such a nasty reply???
Are you even a mother? Most mother's have more compassion than you clearly do.

Mrs. Soldier,
I've sent you a list of the few things I've got which a boy could use.
Best of luck.

Original Question

What diapers do you recommend?

Q. Hey everyone,

I'm 22wks3d today and decided to start on a baby registry - mostly just to have and to recieve the free coupons it comes with, and if anyone wants to look at it then we'd have it. Anyway, I don't know what kind of diapers to put on there or if it really matters? Any advice?
And what about bottles? I was looking at the drop-ins but of course there is so many different brands. What do you prefer? And what other things should I add to the registry?

TIA!

A. Parents choice is walmart brand and they are horrible. Don't register those or ur babys butt will always be wet. I love Huggies because my son use to have poop explosions that went all the way up his back and they have a patented trapper in the back of the diaper that helps with this. My sister and brother use pampers brand though and they love them( good absorbency). Dr. Brown bottles are the best. They may be a bit more expensive then the rest but they are great for colic or gassy babies and they help reduce spit ups. Necessary items are wipes( Huggies are good), baby wash( I use aveeno because newborns have sensitive skin), desitin, baby bather, diaper pail( I love my arm and hammer one), diaper pail refills, monitor(if ur baby will have their own room), nursing pads( even if u don't choose to breastfeed u will leak as ur milk dries up), breastpump, diaper bag, bottle warmers for outings, storage for ur babies necessities, and that's all I can think of rightnow.

Original Question

coupon code for babies r us?

Q. I am looking for a coupon code for babies r us. Free shipping or percentage off. I searched online & couldn't find anything. I'm buying a baby movement monitor so it can't be for a specific item. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

A. Have you tried the same item through Amazon.com? They ship free on orders over $25, and babiesrus does sell through amazon also so you may be able to find it with free shipping that way.

Original Question

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What should I ask for on my baby shower registry?

Q. I'm going to be a new mom and I'm going to register for baby supplies but have no idea what I need. What supplies are essential for a new mom? Anything you wish someone had told you about when you were expecting?

A. that depends on what you want to do -- are you co-sleeping or do you want your baby in the room with you? are you breast feeding? do you want to wear your baby?

for me, I found that my sling for carrying my fussy newborn around in was a lifesaver (I recommend the moby wrap). I like my good, compact stroller (inglesina swift) and my convertible car seat. I liked our playmat/play gym thing and we used that for a good 7-8 months. I was happy to have my breast pump when I needed it in the first few weeks but then we got back to him breast feeding full time so all the bottles I got were unnecessary. we had a co-sleeper which was good for naps until he outgrew it, but he was in bed with us from the beginning. my son hates baths so I have to shower with him so we never used a baby bathtub, haha. we cloth diaper too so I didn't need too many diapers.

I'd register for a baby monitor, a music box/white noise machine, plenty of onesies in all sizes, burp cloths, a bumbo, a high chair (we have a hook-on one) and a mobile too. they grow so quickly out of that newborn stage too, so some toys will be nice. forget the wipes warmer (when you're away from the house, the wipes will be cold so it's best to get your baby used to that!) and the diaper genie (a regular trash can with a lid works fine). we didn't use uncomfortable carriers (the baby bjorn, the snuggli) because they put the baby's weight in the wrong place. we have a convertible crib that we never used but would have when he went into a toddler bed -- but it got recalled so yadda yadda. he hated his bouncer but loved his swing. I had a little swing contraption that allowed the car seat to be attached to it and I thought that was pretty cool and we used it until he outgrew his infant seat:
http://www.amazon.com/Graco-SnugGlider-Swing-SnugRide-Infant/dp/B000M4K4BY

so I guess all in all, hind sight is 20-20 and I really didn't know what would work with my son and what wouldn't. some people love their baby bath tubs and bouncers and they didn't work with us. think about your style of parenting that you want to happen and try to go off of that, if that makes sense. sorry this is so long, I've been long winded tonight! keep reciepts!

Original Question

Where to buy at home Fertility Monitoring Sticks in stores? Do ovulation sticks do the same thing?

Q. Does anyone know which stores sell the Fertility Monitors? I have already been to Walmart and Kmart and neither had them, only ovulation monitoring kits. If I can't find the fertility sticks, should I just purchase the ovulation monitors? Has anyone used these? I am just curious to see when the best time to try to get pregnant will be because it has been not easyTTC!

A. I have been using the clear blue fertility monitor for over a year and I swear by it, and highly recommend it to everyone ttc. It takes all the guess work out of this ttc business, and it helped me to learn everything I needed to know about my cycle. We got our monitor at Walgreen's, it was the only place that sold it, and it is also the only store that sells the tests strips for it in my area. You can also check ebay or amazon, they can sometimes be found on there cheaper, as well as the test strips. You need to purchase the strips in order to use the monitor.

It really is worth it, especially if your ovulation pattern is unpredictable. It will tell you when you are fertile prior to ovulation, as well as when you ovulate, so there is no reading test strip lines, and no guessing at all. It gives you a heads up on when to try, basically. It pretty much puts your mind at ease, as there is no guessing, and you will know you've tried on the right days. They are a bit pricey, so I would recommend looking on ebay or amazon first for a brand new one. You can buy them used, but I have no experience with that, I just hear it is not recommended. Beware the 1st month you use it, you may or may not get a peak reading, as it can take a cycle to become familiar with your hormone levels and cycle. This is very common, but rest assured that many, many women are able to get a peak reading and detect ovulation in the 1st month of use. Out of all the women I know that use it, I was the only one that was not able to get a peak reading my 1st month. So check Walgreen's, or online. I promise you will be very happy with it:)

Good luck to you and lots of baby dust coming your way!!!

Original Question

Do you still need to use batteries for something that has a mains adaptor?

Q. I want to buy a baby monitor. But every description i have read for them so far reads "Mains adaptor included for parent unit. Parent unit batteries required 1 x 3.6V Lithium-ion". So i am unsure as to whether this means that the batteries are optional, should you wish to not plug it in. Or whether i need to use both. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Gosh... "K - There was no need for that bitchiness... Grow up"!

A. How most of them work is that the parent station plugs into the wall, hence charging the rechargeable battery (which are usually included). Battery use is optional if you plan on keeping the handheld device in the charger at all times, but it is quite convenient to carry around with you to keep an ear open for baby. So yes, for optimal use you would use both.

This is the one we purchased 3+ yrs. ago...still works dandy. It uses the rechargeable system I mentioned above. http://www.amazon.com/Secure-Coverage-Digital-Monitor-Parent/dp/B004AHKUHW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315347601&sr=8-1

Original Question

What is the best baby monitor to buy?

Q. This is our first child (and hopefully another in the future) and we want something that functions well, is reliable, and, of course, isn't to bad on price.
Mind you, our house is small and the range we need throughout the house is not big whatsoever.

A. go to www.toysrus.com and www.babiesrus.com they have a lot of user reviews and you can look at what best fits your price range and get some real inside knowledge from people who have used the product, www.babiesrus.com reviews let me know the best breast pump to get. I mean like with most products there are at least 45 reviews especially for an item like a monitor or anything pricey. And their prices are a standard price, usually everything is at an decent price except for certain foods and certain formulas. Check out amazon after you have found the monitor you want, sometimes you can find it there for much cheaper even with shipping and handling!

Original Question

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How do I know if I have gestational diabetes or not?

Q. Hi I am currently 33 weeks pregnant and I had glucose tolerance test (75 ml) at 18 weeks and then at 28 weeks. Both of the times were negative but I had gestational diabetes with my first one though. Two weeks ago I have generally monitored my sugar level 2 hours after dinner and I was shocked to see that it was 8.8. Now I have been monitoring everyday since then and average is 7.5 ( without any diet plan and exercise). So does this mean that I got diabetes?

A. No, my friend, it does NOT mean that you have gestational diabetes.

Believe me, if your gynae team were concerned the would have told you as it makes their job even more difficult if there are added complications thrown into the cooking pot. (I'm fairly sure that you already appreciate that developing gestational diabetes increases risks to both mother and unborn child.)

Because you developed gestational diabetes during an earlier pregnancy DOES put you at increased risk of developing it during successive pregnancies, but this does NOT mean that you automatically will.

As you suspect, the 8.8 mmol/l (millimoles per litre) result that you got IS higher than it should be, but this MAY have been just a 'one off'. Yoiu also need to take into consideration whether you performed the blood test correctly. Did you, for instance, wash and dry your hands immediately prior to testing? There are a number of contaminants that can affect the results, such as food and/or drink remaining on the hands, cleaning products, scents/perfumes, alcohol swabs ... if not allowed to completely evaporate.

Your average blood sugar (glucose) level of 7.5 mmol/l is within the range that a non-diabetic would expect. (Normally, a non-diabetic's blood sugar level would not rise above 7.8 mmol/l two hours after eating. I am well aware that you MAY have been requested to test after one hour, but this is to do with the dangers that could be involved when someone has gestational diabetes.)

If you are, at all, concerned, my friend, you need to express your concerns to your gynae team. You could also try following the advice that was offered during your first pregnancy with regards to diet and exercise. It won't do either yourself, or your baby, any harm whatsoever.

Congratulations, by the way. I hope that everything goes well for you, that your pregnancy goes according to plan, and that your baby is the most beautiful baby in the world.

Original Question

Is labor delivery the only option if I slips and falls during 29 weeks pregnancy?

Q. I am 29 weeks pregnant and fell yesterday on the stairs, only my bottom and legs suffered sour and pain, no stomach pain and breeding. I called the Dr office, and the nurse suggested to have labor delivery right away, but I don't want to, because the baby is only 7 month, and I feel just fine. I want to know if early labor delivery the only option, please help me out! Thanks.

A. Did the nurse say go to labor and delivery or did she actually say deliver? Because if she said you should deliver she should be written up to the medical board. She has no reason to assume that the baby should need delivered. I am a medical student in ob/gyn. The only way they would deliver you is if there is placental abruption or if for some reason they feel the baby is distressed. They do that by placing you on a fetal heart monitor. And even that is not likely in your case. The baby is protected in an amniotic sac and is safer than you think. He or she would just bounce around your body and the sac protects the baby greatly. Now you should definately not be sitting here online you should be at your labor and delivery center at your hospital because you need to be checked out. If your placenta did partially erupt from the lining of your uterus it is limiting the babys oxygen and nutrient supply. Even if you have no blood externally you and your fetus could still be in great danger. But don't get yourself upset 97 percent of the time the fetus is fine just get to the hospital in case.

Original Question

Are ferrets dangerous to have around a baby?

Q. I am expecting a baby in Feb. and I was wondering if I should get rid of my 2 ferrets when the baby comes or not. I love my ferrets but I love my child more and don't want her to be in any danger. Does anyone have ferrets and young children?

A. Any animal can be dangerous to a baby. However, having a baby doesn't necessarily mean you have to get rid of your ferrets (unless having the baby means you'll no longer have the time and/or money to care for your ferrets). There's a lot of people out there that have young children and ferrets - it can be done as long as you're a responsible and careful parent and pet owner (some common sense is also good). Never leave the ferrets out to run when your baby is down on the floor. Try letting the ferrets out when the baby is sleeping - close the door to the room your baby is sleeping in (obviously you should check on him/her and/or use a baby monitor to have ears in the room at all times) or at least make sure your ferrets can't climb into whatever your baby is sleeping in. If you think it won't work to keep the ferrets after you have the baby, then at least take the time to find your ferrets a good home, don't hand them off to just anyone. Take the time to ask potential owners some questions so that you can determine if they will or won't be able to properly care for your ferret. What about friends or family - would any of them want to adopt your ferrets? That way you would be able to still see them from time to time. Whatever you decide, good luck (with the ferrets and the baby).

Original Question

How were human babies delivered in the past?

Q. What procedures, devices, and/or medications were used in the past? Like, were there lots of stillbirths and miscarriages in the stone age?

A. Yes, the rate of death during childbirth was a lot higher in the past. On the other hand, though, modern medicine has made childbirth more difficult, rather than easier. It's been moved away from a natural process that can occur on its own, to something that must be medically monitored - and thereby customized to what the doctors (traditionally male) believe is the best way to do things.

Examples: laying on the back is a very bad way to deliver a child. It suits a hospital gurney, but that position actually puts a bend in the birth canal that makes childbirth a lot harder for the mother. Another example is the episiotomy - where the birth canal is cut to allow "easier" passage of the child. It's cut at a point where the tissue has evolved to tear - natural tearing causes less trauma and heals quicker than having a doctor cut the tissue.

So, yes, childbirth was much more dangerous in some ways, but not as much as you'd think. Qualified midwives were able to guide the process - a process that nature has made fairly "automatic." In that light, most of the tools used in the past were the midwives' own hands. Some herbs may have helped dull the pain (much of which actually comes from the mother trying to deliver a child on her back). All in all, it's a self-guided process, and requires a minimum of outside interference.

I don't buy into medical (or "big pharma") conspiracies, but in this case, the dangers of childbirth have been greatly exaggerated by doctors (again, I stress *male* doctors), and turned into an industry. If unaided childbirth was so difficult, we never would have survived the stone age.

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nightly interference on the baby monitor?

Q. Every night at the same time there is loud interference on our analog baby monitor. Other than this we have no problems with it picking up neighbors etc. Even if we turn the volume all the way down, we can still hear peoples garbled talking as if it were turned all the way up. There are pauses, like it is an actual conversation, but we cannot make out anything specific. It happens on both channels. We tried digital monitors but it was constantly losing signal with its base, causing the alarm to go off, no matter what we did. And that was the expensive one. (We tried two different ones)

Any ideas, suggestions?

A. ...ever seen the movie Paranormal Activity?.... that's probably what's happening if its in the middle of the night. You need to get someone to come to your house who has experience with spirits. I'm serious, I know someone who did it too not like the movie.. but they had someone come to the house.

Original Question

How do you stop a baby monitor from making a buzzing sound?

Q. I have an 'Angel Care' monitor and often it seems to buzz loudly when I have electrical appliances plugged in or lights on - it seems to be effected by the electrical current of my house.
I turn all the lights off at night and leave nothing plugged in, but sometimes it still buzzes and is very annoying when I am trying to get to sleep.

A. Try moving it to a different location in your room, sometimes moving it a few inches one way or the other helps too.

Or you can return it and get a different one. It's electrical interference for sure.

Original Question

Why is my 49MHz wireless helicopter operating erratically?

Q. Works in the store at the mall with all the nearby stores, but not anywhere near my house or my neighborhood. I turned off the baby monitor, but not sure what else could be interfering.

A. Dear sir you have an interference problem! you need to find the way to change the channel! or change the entire radio in that way you don't have to worry about other people using the same channel that you are working on! I advice that you go to your nearest hobby shop and talk to them about it!
God bless and good luck.

Original Question

Why would a non-wireless router emit so much radiation?

Q. I have a TP-Link router and it's not a wireless one, yet it seems to emit quite a strong magnetic field of almost two metres, as it causes interference with my baby monitor. Should I be concerned about this? Or is it normal for a router to emit so much radiation? The thing is that the router is under my desk right where I sit to work!

A. Any piece of modern digital electronics emits electro-magnetic interference. The very high speed circuits invoved (several MHz clock frequency) conduct through copper traces on the circuit board in the thing. The copper traces act like antenna and thus emit the "noise" you hear on your baby monitor.

Even the power supply for your router could be the culprit. To achieve small size and high efficiency, the power supply "brick" will often contain high speed electronics which could also be the source of the emission.

Finally, the typical baby monitor is a pretty low quality electronic device. It lacks selectivity and is likely picking up noise from frequencies that are not important to it. A different brand monitor might not suffer this problem.

Also, better quality routers would enclose their circuit boards in a metal housing. Such enclosure would contain the EMI in a so called Faraday cage. I suppose you could put your router in a metal box and accomplish the same thing now.

Astrobuf

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My female friend is at the 6 month mark. The baby weighs just about a pound. How could this baby turn out?

Q. Her HCG levels are low, and at this point in her pregnancy (6 months) for it to weigh "less than a pound" seems pretty bad. it is a female.

I would also like to disclaim to the obvious numbskulls on here who have no real information or credible professional advice, albeit meaningless opinons to please go somewhere else as this is a serious matter.
Thank you for your understanding.

A. Her HCG levels shouldn't dwindle unless she miscarries which at 6 months wouldn't happen, she would go into preterm labor. HCG is a chemical found in pregnant (or a chemical pregnancy) womens urine. HCG doesn't bounce around.
She could have low progestrone or a high protein precentage in her urine but unless the fetus has died in utero her HCG SHOULDN'T change.

At 6 months along a baby should weight a little more then a pound. Not much more though. If the doctors are concerned about growth and the baby is measuring well below size and the baby continues to be failure to thrive in utero, your friend should expect to be admitted to the nearest hospital with a level 4 NICU. She may stay on the OB special care (or some hospitals call it OB High Risk) floor for a few days or WEEKS to monitor closely the growth/heat rate/development of the fetus. If it is determined that the chance of life for the baby is better once delivered(and there are a lot of babies born at a pound. Its not uncommon) the hospital will administer steriod shots to mature the babies lungs. They will do an emergency CSection, vaginal delivery would be too stressful on that premature of a baby. The baby would be on a ventalator, a PICC line, a feeding tube, under heat lamps. The baby may even be on life support at first with round the clock nurses (usually 2 nurses) monitoring solely THAT baby.

With a baby born at 6 months your facing the certainty of life long mental and physical handicaps. Females typically do better then males but at that gestational age the chance of survival is about 30%.

The baby could (the baby WILL..) have brain bleeds, which can resolve but leave most babies mentally impaired. Babies born early loose eye sight, some even go blind. Their hearing is poor too, some go deaf. Their bowels are immature and parts of the bowel can die (called NEC), it can be fatal or reguire surgery after surgery. Cerebal palasy is almost gaurenteed.

Babies born that early have a varitey of mental and physical handicaps but pulling life support or the ventalator and terminating life due to complications is a very personal choice. A lot of the super micro preemies pass on their own and a lot of those babies really aren't compatable with life.

Babies that do THRIVE that are born at about a pound often need GTubes and never eat orally just liquides through a machine that can be attatched to the stomach, need trachs to breath because of esphagoal problems, are in wheel chairs, need several medications a day to deal with a score of medical problems, need nasal oxygen and will reguire a home health nurse.

Original Question

Have you grown up in a funeral home or were the child of undertakers?

Q. Hi, I am looking for the most amusing/shocking/emotional experience anyone has had growing up in a funeral home or whos parents have owned an undertaking business. Any memories that would capture the experience when ones parents ran such a business. Can be funny, sad, emotional, frightening. This is real research so real answers please.

A. No.
If anyone says yes then there's a 99.99999999999999999999999999999999% that they're lying.

My Mom is a 911 operator though and my dad a police sergeant. They have lots of stories...
Here's some funny/shocking/sad/interesting ones.
~Mom got a call from a college student who was writing a report on deaf people and wanted to see what it was like so he poured high-quality superglue into his ears.
~Mom got a call from a mother who's baby had been accidentally killed by her toddler. The toddler was pretending that the baby was a dog and tied a jump-rope around it's neck. The baby slide down their slide, the rope got caught, and the baby was strangled.
~One of dad's police dogs (before he got promoted) bit a badguy in the thigh and swallowed a huge chunk of flesh. Yum.
~My Mom got a call for a fire and it turns out that the fire was caused by one of this ladies MANY exotic pets. One of her giant monitor lizards chewed through a lamp cord. The firefighters went inside and were attacked by hundreds of exotic and illegal animals including alligators and monkeys.

Original Question

How do deaf parents know their babies are crying in the middle of the night?

Q.

A. As the other poster said, they have device that tells them that they have a phone call, someone is at the door, or there's a fire. Usually lights flash.

A Google search of: deaf parents baby monitor

reveals that they also have vibrating pagers they wear to bed.

Original Question

How do deaf people wake up on time?

Q. Yup... I think this is one of those up front questions.
A link to whatever device you come up with would be appreciated. I'm not finding any "Strobe Clocks"

A. Vibrating alarm clocks. They go under the pillow.

They sell them here:
http://www.soundclarity.com/vibrating_alarm_clock.asp

.


Edited to add:

Flashing light alarms would only work in a room that's pitch black. If you live in, say, an apartment (as opposed to a basement somewhere) and sleep past dawn, a flashing light would not wake you up when light is already pouring into your apartment from every window.

My deaf friends use flashing light alarms when the phone rings, or the doorbell, or when the baby cries (sound activated). Here's an example of a flashing baby monitor:
http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cfm?pageid=19327&top=11967&productid=101635&trail=22,11860&discontinued=0

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Based on your actual experience, what is the best baby video monitor for sale?

Q. I've heard so many different, mixed reviews. I'm mostly concerned about them not working with our wireless network (which I don't know how to tweak). If anyone has a good one that works well with a wireless network that doesn't cost TONS of money, please pass on the info. Thanks!

A. What do you mean working with wireless network? Most baby monitors are wireless, but they don�t connect to a modem. Do you just mean without a cord or actually hooked up to a computer? I have been using Summer Infant Hand Held Video baby monitor for 6 month now and can�t complain. It sees at night and has color. The monitor is hand held so you can carry it with you where you want to. At first the battery would last 3-4 days now it lasts 2 days, then you have to recharge, but it can be on when charging. I got mine on eBay at half the cost. If you still don�t have your baby and don�t need one ASAP. Start looking for deals. I got ours 2 month before the baby was born but it took me 4 weeks to get the deal I wanted.
I�m also using a wireless connection on my laptop and there is no interference with the monitor, it�s working perfectly fine. Also it does NOT pick up cell phones, radios or other babies.

Original Question

How do i Set the temperature of my ball python's tank?

Q. Also, What temp is good for a baby ball python?
How can i tell what the temp of the tank is?
What temp should the basking area be?
What tool is good for measuring temp inside tank?

A. You have to decide to use a lamp or UTH. It is generally considered that UTH is better for a ball for several reasons, one being that lamps tend to dry out the air and you need to keep a high humidity for balls.

So, get your UTH that is rated for your size tank. It should cover about 1/3 of the bottom of the tank. You also MUST have a thermostat or rheostat to control the temps or it will get way too hot. Thermostats are more reliable, but with careful monitoring, a rheostat like this will work:
http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-heaters/512443/zoo-med-repti-temp-rheostat.html

Then you need a digital thermometer with a probe. Wal Mart carries AcuRite Indoor/Outdoor digital therm, and it's perfect because it measures humidity, too, and it's only $12.

You can wrap the UTH in aluminum tape so that it can be reused instead of sticking it directly on the tank. Use something under each corner of the tank to raise it up 1/2 inch or so to create airflow.

Place the UTH under the tank on the OUTSIDE. Place the probe for the thermoSTAT or rheostat between the UTH and the tank.

Now, take your thermoMETER and place the probe directly on the glass over the UTH on the INSIDE of the tank. Secure it with alum tape or hot glue. This will be covered up by your substrate. Place the base unit of the thermometer on the cool side. I like to place a couple squares of adhesive velcro and stick it to the side of the tank so it doesn't get knocked over as easily. Place as much of the excess wire as possible on the outside of the tank. You can caulk or hot glue the part of the wire that's inside the tank up the corners. Be aware that touching the wire with a hot glue gun tip will instantly melt it!

Okay, now set the rheostat so that your hot side is around 90, never more than 95, and your cool side is around 80. You'll need to give it a couple hours to settle in before you know what the temps are, so it's a good idea to do this at least a day before you bring your new ball home.

If you must use a lamp, pretty much the same procedure for the placement of the thermometer, only it needs to be on top of the substrate instead of under. Easier said than done because your snake will move it around. You can attach the WIRE to the bottom and leave just enough of the probe unattached to poke it up through the substrate. You can adjust the heat by move the lamp further away or using a lower or higher wattage bulb. If your humidity drops, there are steps you can take to raise it, like using a bigger water bowl, or covering most of the top screen with plastic or a damp towel.

You will want 2 identical hides, one for the cool side and the hot side. They need to be identical so the snake doesn't pick a favorite and hang out there all the time without thermo-regulating.

Please continue your research at http://www.ball-pythons.net to learn everything you need to know about taking care of your ball!

Best of luck!

Original Question

How will I know when/if I am ovulating after my first postpartum period?

Q. I had a baby 6 months ago, and I had my period for the first time 2 weeks ago. I am breastfeeding my son, and want to do the natural family planning. But I'm not sure how to tell when I am ovulating.

A. Congratulations on your new baby. I have used NFP while breastfeeding both my daughters.

NFP is very effective and normally easy to use. When people talk about their parents generation using NFP, they are talking about the old rhythm method. It was calendar based and did not take into effect the fact that not every woman has regular cycles and that things like stress, travel & illness can cause cycle changes. The rhythm method has fortunately gone away and modern NFP is scientifically based and has 35+ years of research behind it.

NFP is using a woman's natural signs of fertility to determine if she is in a fertile or infertile part of her cycle. A woman's fertile window is 5-6 days long. This is because sperm, under good circumstances, can live for up to 5 days. A woman's egg can only survive for about 12-24 hours. And once she has ovulated, she will not ovulate again in a cycle (with the rare exception of double ovulation - like for fraternal twins - and ovulation always takes place within 24 hours; all NFP rules take this into consideration).

So, how does a woman know if she is fertile? The menstrual cycle is dominated by 2 hormones: estrogen and progesterone. Before ovulation, when estrogen starts to kick in, the body starts to produce a special kind of cervical mucus that sort of resembles egg-whites. Her cervix also changes in its position, openness, and firmness. After ovulation, the body triggers a production of progesterone. This hormone makes the cervical mucus dry up, causes the cervix to lower and close, and causes a woman's temperature to rise.

A woman using NFP watches the changes in her mucus, cervix and temperature and from that knowledge knows which part of the cycle she is in. If she is fertile (close to ovulation) and doesn't want to get pregnant, then she will refrain from having sex. If it is before ovulation she can use special rules to know which days are safe for sex. After ovulation there is no chance of another ovulation so she can have sex at any time.

NFP is scientifically based and has been proven to be effective in scientific studies, up to 99% rate of effectiveness. It has the same effectiveness as the pill and is MORE effective then condoms or other barrier methods. And it is NOT the same as pulling out.

To do NFP correctly, you should take temperatures and also monitor cervical mucus. I highly recommend taking a class in NFP to learn the method well, especially in the case of returning to fertility and breastfeeding. I will be honest, learning NFP while breastfeeding has its ups and downs. On the one hand, you get very good at learning how to read your mucus sign, but on the other it can be challenging because you will probably have a very long first part of your cycle and then a very short "safe" time after ovulation, at least for the first few months. I would suggest doing a really good job watching your diet & nutrition during this transition time to help minimize the confusion.

There are tons of resources for learning NFP. There are a number of organizations that teach NFP. A good resource is www.omsoul.com, from there you can search for NFP teachers in your area. Go to NFP directory and then to "Doctors, teachers and centers." Some of the best groups to learn from are The Couple to Couple League, Billings Ovulation Method, Northwest Family Services, Foundation of the Americas, the Creighton Method, the Marquette method. Google any of those to learn more about them and how they teach. Some groups, like the Couple to Couple League (www.ccli.org), have homestudy classes. Other groups have online classes, like Northwest family services: http://www.nwfs.org/

You can also go to www.nfpandmore.org and they have a downloadable, free manual for learning NFP. But again, if you want to use the method with the highest level of effectiveness, please consider taking a class!

Fertility friend and other online charting sites are good if you have a hard time interpreting your charts. But once you learn the method, it is easy to use and you shouldn't need too much help. That's another reason why it's nice to have a local teacher to help answer your questions.

Toni Weschler's book "Taking Charge of your Fertility" is good, another good book is "The Art of Natural Family Planning" by John & Sheila Kippley. It is very thorough and covers just about any circumstance dealing with charting.

Good luck! Hope this helped!!

Original Question

When do I put my daughter in a forward facing carseat?

Q. She's 5 1/2 months old now, weighs about 19 pounds and the carseat she uses now has a weight limit of 22 pounds. I don't know when to put her into a forward facing carseat and worry about doing it too early. How do I know when she's ready?
In case you couldn't tell, this is my first child and I'm clueless about a lot of stuff. And if it is still too early to face her forward, where can I find a larger carseat that she'll fit into?

A. The next step is a convertible seat, there really aren't any seats that are only forward facing (except boosters and she is a looong way off from that). So get a convertible seat and keep her rear-facing until she maxes out the weight or height restrictions of that particular seat.

check out the best answer to this question, it has good advice on different seat models:
http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071221073551AA0NmVG&r=w&pa=FZptHWf.BGRX3OFMiDxWVp3vjGuvXMm29sV84rbyHe8FI8aWXNA3cNSNfCE9BKyfCybAVQ2JIEIahjWlnQ--&paid=answered#EpEoDGHuBzdWPs17UJ6HJ5H5dVbN3Nvz3e.EAJdI1yRrmh7OYh1C

http://www.carseat.org/Technical/tech_update.htm#angleRF
Angle of recline, rear-facing

The back surface of a rear-facing CR should be between 30° and 45° from vertical, starting with the most reclined angle for a newborn and becoming more upright as the baby grows. This recommendation is a balance between crash protection and comfort. If the CR is too upright, the head could flop forward uncomfortably and possibly pinch off the airway, especially for a newborn. If the CR is too reclined during a frontal crash, the infant could slide toward the top of the restraint, exposing the head to injury, especially for the larger, heavier baby.

Each manufacturer determines an optimum back angle for its products and specifies a way, such as a level indicator, for the user to determine that angle. However, these indicators only work when the vehicle is level, so they can sometimes be misleading. The Federal standard allows the back of a rear-facing CR to rotate downward as much as 70° from vertical during the FMVSS 213 crash test, but this extreme result reflects the test conditions and would not represent good crash performance. To meet these test requirements, some restraint manufacturers may install their position indicators so the initial angle is too upright for a small infant. For these situations, installing the seat with the indicator outside the specified zone may be necessary, or one must obtain a different safety seat. The baby�s airway must not be compromised.

To set an appropriate back angle for the child, install the CR in the car and put the baby in the CR with the buttocks in the deepest part of the CR and the baby's back straight. Jostle the CR a bit, and, if the baby's head flops forward (while awake or asleep), it is necessary to increase the angle. For infant-only restraints, some bases can be adjusted if more recline is needed, or a detachable base can be removed and the shell alone reclined a little more. Otherwise, for these and for convertibles, insert a tightly rolled towel or sheet or a foam "noodle" under the toe-end of the CR to compensate for the slope of the vehicle seat. Increase the angle of recline just enough to keep the baby's head from flopping forward, but no more than 45° from vertical.

The American Academy of Pediatrics currently recommends that infants born at less than 37 weeks gestation be monitored in a semi-upright position prior to discharge to detect possible breathing, oxygenation level, and/or heart rhythm problems (AAP, 2006). If a baby needs to be more reclined than 45°, he must be tested similarly in a car bed to see if discharge is appropriate, and if so the car bed must be used for travel. There is also evidence that prolonged (over an hour) semi-upright positioning may lead to reduced oxygen saturation levels even among term infants. It is therefore recommended that very young infants not be left undisturbed in their rear-facing child restraints for long periods.

As the child grows, becomes heavier, and can hold his head erect, the angle can be decreased, making the restraint more upright, to provide better crash protection. For a sleeping baby, this angle should be at least 30° from vertical. In addition to improved comfort, keeping the back of the baby's head in contact with the CR provides better protection in a crash. In some vehicles, the back seat may be too small to accommodate a convertible CR that is reclined as far as 45° in the rear-facing position. For older babies, the CR may be used at a more upright angle to make it fit in the car, but a newborn may require a smaller infant-only restraint. (9/07)

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