Have you heard of this brand?

MrsSchmidt

I am wanting to get a baby video monitor and the one I was interested in (Summer slim one) has so many bad reviews. I found one on ebay but I have never heard of the brand. Here is the link to the auction:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/110775042052?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_3607wt_936
Has anyone heard of this brand? Or do you have one like this? If so, what would you say about it? Is it a good monitor?
Thank you!
Another question, what does 2.4GHz mean?

Answer
There is no name brand, wireless is very ambiguous. I'd be wary of those 2.4GHz, systems there is no mention of encryption of the signal to the base from the camera. Since anyone with a similar receiver can view the signal if it is indeed not encrypted in some way. You should ask the seller to confirm. Also if you have a cordless phone you should check if that runs on the same radio frequency. Because possible interference might occur. If you are willing you can spend a little bit more and if have a recent wireless router you can get a wireless network camera, such as this http://www.dlink.com/category/productcategories/?cid=7 Which would be encrypted signal, could view on a computer or smartphone, and even on the internet via a private website mydlink.com. I've purchase a D-Link network camera over 10 years ago for the very same reason, to monitor my baby. Now that my babys are no longer babys I still use it to monitor my home when I am away.

what connects to 2.4ghz and 5ghz on a network?

Danni

I have 3 smartphones in my home, 5 laptops, 2 ipads, and one smart vizeo tv.
I have a D-link DIR-850L Wireless router...
(The router is located in the family room, and most of the devices stay downstairs near the router, the smart tv is upstairs though....i don't know if this makes a difference)

What devices should be connected to the 2.4ghz and which devices should be connected to the 5ghz network..?

Thanks for any help! :)

Answer
It's incredible what people don't know about dual speed routers. You also want a "simultaneous" dual speed router so it will support both at the same time. Otherwise it will only run at the lower speed.
~
All 802.11b and g devices run on 2.4GHz only. That is also where a lot of your other devices run like Bluetooth, baby monitors etc.

5GHz is for 802.11n and has a higher speed and less interference. Great for video streaming & gaming. Nothing, repeat, NOTHING, can share both & "double the speed". No such animal.

Your router has no relationship to what your ISP uses.

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Mommys on the go - monitors?

Amber

Does anyone know of a monitor I can leave with a baby sitter and see it on my phone ? Is there such thing. !?

Answer
There are many Internet cameras but you need to have a connection to the Internet, most likely broadband (cable, DSL phone line, satellite) Internet Service Provider (ISP).
http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Linksys-Wireless-N-Internet-Monitoring-Camera/dp/B002OHDFOA
http://www.hammacher.com/Product/Default.aspx?sku=81289
There are iPhone or Android phone apps that can be run to take periodic pictures and send them automatically to your smart phone by email or other means. I am not a smart phone user but I am sure you can search for those. http://www.pcworld.com/article/242576/how_to_use_your_ios_or_android_smartphone_or_tablet_as_a_wireless_network_camera.html

What are the essential baby items?

J.D.

I am making my baby registry and don't know what is essential. I am a single mother so I need things that will make my life as easy as possible, but I don't know if a bottle sterilizer or something like that is a waste of time, and money. Thanks

Answer
Here's a good resource: http://metropolitanmama.net/2009/04/unnecessary-baby-products-a-list-of-things-not-to-register-for/

There are several other lists on the web of unnecessary baby items. Just google it.

You don't need any bottle-related items at all if you can stay home with the baby and breastfeed until the baby is eating solids (6 months). As a single mom, you probably will have to buy bottles so you can give the baby to a caregiver while you work and then you may need more of the accoutrements that go along with bottles. I don't think you need a bottle sterilizer though. Most bottles can be put through the dishwasher, and some can be boiled. You also don't need a bottle warmer, since you can just get the bottle out a little earlier than you need it and let it warm to room temperature, or put it in a bowl of hot water.

You also don't need a designated changing table. Any dresser or countertop that's a good height for you can be outfitted with a nonskid changing pad. Or get several thin change pads (the kind you can just roll up) and use them to change the baby wherever you are; bed, couch, floor, seat of the car, etc. That's probably what you'll end up doing anyway. Just make sure to never take your hand off your baby when you're changing him/her on an elevated surface. That goes for changing tables as much as anything.

Also, you don't need crib bumpers, crib bedding, pillows, or stuffed animals for the crib. The baby should have nothing in the crib except a well-fitting mattress and a fitted mattress sheet. Anything else is a suffocation/SIDS risk. There is a lot of evidence that crib bumpers are not safe for young infants and yet they're still being sold all over, so parents may not be aware of that. To keep baby warm, register for swaddle blankets, receiving blankets to swaddle baby in, or sleepsacks/nightgowns.

A baby tub is nonessential. You can take a bath with your baby, or bathe them in the sink until they are old enough to take baths in the bathtub. However, baby tubs can be a convenient item since they may make bathtime a bit more comfortable or pleasant for the baby or relaxing for you. They sell some bathtubs that look like buckets, usually called Euro baths. These allow the baby to sit up in the water and are said to mimic a womb-like environment for baby. I have never used one, but I have heard them recommended for colic.

If you have a smaller house or apartment, baby monitors are also unnecessary. Or if you have a smartphone, you can get an app that turns your phone into a baby monitor; you just need to have a second phone.

You definitely need some kind of diapers, whether cloth or disposable, and you need a car seat. Actually, you only need a car seat if you are giving birth in a hospital and/or planning to take your child anywhere in a car. Someone who lives in New York might not be required to have a car seat if it is clear that they are walking home from the hospital. Otherwise hospitals require that you have a properly installed car seat before you leave the hospital. If you're having a home birth, your midwife may or may not require that you have a carseat, but of course you need one if you ever want to drive anywhere with your baby or toddler. Anyone who owns a car should own a car seat. I wouldn't register for clothes or baby blankets because you'll get tons of those as gifts. Diapers, clothes/blankets, and a car seat are really all your absolute essentials. You have a lot of freedom from there as to what products you want for convenience.

For convenience, I would consider registering for a wrap, sling, or baby carrier, wipes (these are pretty essential, but you can always get by with wet paper towels), disposable diaper sacks to control odor, towels, bottles, breast pump, breastfeeding pillow like Boppy or My Brest Friend, nipple cream, a high chair, bibs, burp cloths, grooming items like a nasal aspirator, thermometer, nail clippers, etc., stroller, crib, crib mattress, at least two sets of crib sheets, rocker/glider (for you), footstool or ottoman (for breastfeeding comfort), a waterproof mattress protector for your bed if you will nurse the baby in bed or have him/her sleep with you, breast pads, nursing tops, a food mill if you don't already have one (and want to make your own baby food), baby gate (if you have stairs or unsafe areas in your home), outlet plugs, pacifiers, baby or toddler dishes and utensils, and baby shampoo/wash.

I would also highly recommend buying a few books for your child. You'll want to read to him/her and allow him/her to handle books to promote literacy, and kids tend to chew on library books so having a few favorites at home to let your baby handle and munch to his/her heart's content is a good idea.

Bouncers, swings, jumpers, activity mats, and toys are total extras. If you have a colicky baby or one that cries a lot even if you give him/her lots of love and attention, you may want to try these distractors. By the time you have a second kid, they will probably come in handy, and they can be useful as a safe place to put the baby while you shower, etc. so it's not a terrible idea to invest in one or two of these now. But they should be last on your list, since all your baby needs to entertain him/her in the first year is you. YOU are the best, most educational, most developmentally appropriate toy your baby could ever own, so keep that in mind when picking out toys, even books.

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Have you heard of this brand?

best baby monitor smartphone image

MrsSchmidt

I am wanting to get a baby video monitor and the one I was interested in (Summer slim one) has so many bad reviews. I found one on ebay but I have never heard of the brand. Here is the link to the auction:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/110775042052?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_3607wt_936
Has anyone heard of this brand? Or do you have one like this? If so, what would you say about it? Is it a good monitor?
Thank you!
Another question, what does 2.4GHz mean?

Answer
There is no name brand, wireless is very ambiguous. I'd be wary of those 2.4GHz, systems there is no mention of encryption of the signal to the base from the camera. Since anyone with a similar receiver can view the signal if it is indeed not encrypted in some way. You should ask the seller to confirm. Also if you have a cordless phone you should check if that runs on the same radio frequency. Because possible interference might occur. If you are willing you can spend a little bit more and if have a recent wireless router you can get a wireless network camera, such as this http://www.dlink.com/category/productcategories/?cid=7 Which would be encrypted signal, could view on a computer or smartphone, and even on the internet via a private website mydlink.com. I've purchase a D-Link network camera over 10 years ago for the very same reason, to monitor my baby. Now that my babys are no longer babys I still use it to monitor my home when I am away.

Routers for home use?

Sol

I currently have a desktop at home and a wired broadband connection to go with it. What I'm looking for is a router (with modem) which will enable me to use the same connection on my laptop as well as my smartphone. My desktop is placed in the east-most room and hence there are 3 walls separating the farthest room from it. So, a router with a good range would be necessary. Also a wifi on/off button would be handy. And will turning off wifi disable the connection to my desktop as well? What brands and models would you recommend? (As far a the price is concerned I'm not looking to spend too much but don't want to buy a really cheap one either. So price range : moderate).
Any help, much apreciated.

Answer
Two types of Internet devices are commonly sold.

1. Combination modem / routers, often called gateways.

2. Stand alone routers which can be connected to a stand alone modem.

DSL and Cable modems use different technology, for this reason you can't use a cable gateway (DOCSIS) with DSL or use a DSL gateway (ADSL2+) with a cable Internet connection.

Depending on the type of service you have, you'll need the proper type of wireless gateway or a broadband DSL or cable modem and separate wireless router.

The modem or gateway must be compatible with your service provider. A stand alone router will work with any broadband Internet connection.

It is hard to find a standalone DSL modem, most devices sold are wireless ADSL2+ gateways such as this. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004NBZ98K/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004NBZ98K&linkCode=as2&tag=excharge-20

It gets very good customer reviews and costs about 65 bucks. I wrote about it here: http://isp1.us/reviews/actiontec-gt784wn-dsl-modem-router/

For cable service, Personally I would just add a wireless router your existing modem. If you go this route you'll need to add a wireless router of your choice. The modem needs to be compatible with the ISP. You can choose practically any router, they are fairly inexpensive depending on the features you desire. http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&keywords=wireless%20router&linkCode=ur2&qid=1374971707&rh=n%3A172282%2Cn%3A541966%2Cn%3A300189%2Ck%3Awireless%20router%2Cp_72%3A1248879011&rnid=1248877011&tag=excharge-20

This option gives you more versatility. Router speeds and features change much more frequently than cable modems do. If you have separate units you can upgrade one if you like.

As far as wireless range goes,

Wireless signals are affected by many factors including distance, wall density, electrical interference, directional antenna range, etc.

All of these factors will affect your actual wireless range. As wireless connection quality varies the connection speeds are renegotiated. The connection may start at 300 Mbps and end up at less than 20 Mbps or drop entirely.

Just because a particular wireless router model works good at one location does not guarantee that it will have similar performance in a different location due to variances in the factors listed above.

You should try to centrally locate your wireless router or gateway up high and away from dense walls and electrical and 2.4 GHz wireless interference such as microwave ovens, cordless phones, baby monitors, etc.

For serious gaming or video streaming your best bet is a direct Ethernet connection. Ethernet is unaffected by wireless interference and will give you a rock solid, stable network connection.

No matter what you decide to buy, as far as the brand goes, the brand is not as important as the model. Some manufacturers release a good model but the next is crap. I would look at the Amazon reviews of models that interest you. Even if you don't buy from Amazon the reviews will tell you a lot about which models to avoid. Look for at least 15 or more reviews with a 4 star or better rating. Read a few and see if they sound like the particular model will work for your application.

Good Luck...

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Baby monitor with camera?

best baby monitor smartphone image

Love

I'm having my first child in December and my mom and I are looking at baby monitors and we found on that had a camera and shows you a live image of the baby. My mom was pretty impressed by this as they weren't around when I was a baby. But they are outrageously priced! I think she wants to get one for me anyway, as this is her first grandchild and my mom's the type to spend way too much. So I was wondering does anyone else have these? Worth the price? Are they any good?

Answer
I actually did this, but I used a wireless ip camera. When my son was 9 months old we had to move from a condo to an apartment with no washer/dryer hookup. So I had to leave the apartment to do the laundry a couple doors down and needed a way to see what my son was up to in between loads. I agree that the video monitor setups are very steep. And something worth noting is that every single one I've seen on shelves is not a secured network. So that video signal is open for others to view nearby. I use(d) a dlink IP cam that is networked securely to my home wireless network and accessible via smartphone. It cost about 30 bucks and 15 minutes of setup and I was up and going. I've had this setup for almost 3 years now and it's been helpful. I don't think I've had any memorable absences, but it's a nice piece of mind to make sure my son was sleeping safely when I had to leave the apartment for a moment.

Is a wireless modem/gateway realy "wire"- less?

Tommy Slic

Hi, my parents are always pressuring me to help them buy a "wireless" modem/gateway for our DSL service, because they don't like cables connecting everywhere, but I am a little confused on this, because we already have "wireless internet gateway" that acts as a modem/router combination and it supports wifi connections...

So my question is, is it actually possible to have a literally "wireless" gateway that don't require any cables to plug in to it...? Or did my parents get the definition wrong and "wireless" really means wifi connections?
I mean is it actually possible for a "wireless" gateway to not require any cables at all? Even no power adapter required?

Answer
There are completely wireless devices that can provide broadband Internet to multiple devices via WiFi.

You may be able to get a WiFi device from your mobile broadband provider such as the MiFi. The MiFi device connects to the Internet via a cellular data plan and provides wireless routing functionality.

The MiFi is a very small, portable, self-contained device that uses a rechargeable battery.

A MiFi is convenient. I used one in the past for work and travel.

When wireless mobile hotspots on smartphones became commonplace, I cancelled my MiFi and started using a wireless hotspot app on my smartphone.

Same functionality at a lower cost, the add-on data plan is much cheaper than paying for two devices. I just turn it on on the phone and can connect up to 8 wireless devices.

You have to pay for a mobile data plan from your cellular provider.

Be forewarned that most have low monthly data limits and buying more is expensive, so you wouldn't want to use it to stream a lot of Netflix movies or try and replace your home DSL or cable Internet service.

I have a 6 GB shared family data plan and find that more than adequate, you'll have to monitor your mobile usage for a few months and upgrade or downgrade your data plan to match your usage. Verizon emails me an alert when I have used 50% of the data allowance. I usually receive this late in the billing cycle so I have never exceeded the data limits.

That being said,

For home use you are much better off with a DSL, cable, or fiber optic Internet service. Most of these types of providers have much larger monthly data limits of 150 GB or more. Here is a blog post on current ISP data caps: http://isp1.us/blog/current-data-caps-for-us-isp-providers/

You can either use a wireless router (which has much better WiFi range than a portable device such as a MiFi) or a gateway such as you use.

Another point,

WiFi connections are convenient, especially for portable devices such as tablets, laptops, etc., however convenience comes at a price.

Unless you specifically need a wireless connection, I would not generally recommend it especially for a fixed device such as a desktop PC or for a device used for serious online gaming or video streaming.

Wireless signals are affected by many factors including distance, wall density, electrical interference, directional antenna range, etc.

All of these factors will affect your actual wireless range. As wireless connection quality varies the connection speeds are renegotiated. The connection may start at 150 Mbps and end up at less than 20 Mbps or drop entirely.

You should try to centrally locate your wireless router or gateway up high and away from dense walls and electrical and 2.4 GHz wireless interference such as microwave ovens, cordless phones, baby monitors, etc.

For good consistent speed, your best bet is a direct Ethernet connection. Ethernet is unaffected by wireless interference and will give you a rock solid, stable network connection.

Remember, for Ethernet or WiFi connections, this is only the local network (LAN) speed. Internet (WAN) speed is determined by your ISP. For example a 3 Mbps Internet connection can only provide 3 Mbps even if connected to a Gigabit Ethernet network. No router or connection will make your Internet faster than 3 Mbps.

The only way to Improve your Internet speed is to upgrade your plan or switch to a faster ISP.

Good Luck...

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Baby monitor with camera?

best baby monitor smartphone image

Love

I'm having my first child in December and my mom and I are looking at baby monitors and we found on that had a camera and shows you a live image of the baby. My mom was pretty impressed by this as they weren't around when I was a baby. But they are outrageously priced! I think she wants to get one for me anyway, as this is her first grandchild and my mom's the type to spend way too much. So I was wondering does anyone else have these? Worth the price? Are they any good?

Answer
I actually did this, but I used a wireless ip camera. When my son was 9 months old we had to move from a condo to an apartment with no washer/dryer hookup. So I had to leave the apartment to do the laundry a couple doors down and needed a way to see what my son was up to in between loads. I agree that the video monitor setups are very steep. And something worth noting is that every single one I've seen on shelves is not a secured network. So that video signal is open for others to view nearby. I use(d) a dlink IP cam that is networked securely to my home wireless network and accessible via smartphone. It cost about 30 bucks and 15 minutes of setup and I was up and going. I've had this setup for almost 3 years now and it's been helpful. I don't think I've had any memorable absences, but it's a nice piece of mind to make sure my son was sleeping safely when I had to leave the apartment for a moment.

Is a wireless modem/gateway realy "wire"- less?

Tommy Slic

Hi, my parents are always pressuring me to help them buy a "wireless" modem/gateway for our DSL service, because they don't like cables connecting everywhere, but I am a little confused on this, because we already have "wireless internet gateway" that acts as a modem/router combination and it supports wifi connections...

So my question is, is it actually possible to have a literally "wireless" gateway that don't require any cables to plug in to it...? Or did my parents get the definition wrong and "wireless" really means wifi connections?
I mean is it actually possible for a "wireless" gateway to not require any cables at all? Even no power adapter required?

Answer
There are completely wireless devices that can provide broadband Internet to multiple devices via WiFi.

You may be able to get a WiFi device from your mobile broadband provider such as the MiFi. The MiFi device connects to the Internet via a cellular data plan and provides wireless routing functionality.

The MiFi is a very small, portable, self-contained device that uses a rechargeable battery.

A MiFi is convenient. I used one in the past for work and travel.

When wireless mobile hotspots on smartphones became commonplace, I cancelled my MiFi and started using a wireless hotspot app on my smartphone.

Same functionality at a lower cost, the add-on data plan is much cheaper than paying for two devices. I just turn it on on the phone and can connect up to 8 wireless devices.

You have to pay for a mobile data plan from your cellular provider.

Be forewarned that most have low monthly data limits and buying more is expensive, so you wouldn't want to use it to stream a lot of Netflix movies or try and replace your home DSL or cable Internet service.

I have a 6 GB shared family data plan and find that more than adequate, you'll have to monitor your mobile usage for a few months and upgrade or downgrade your data plan to match your usage. Verizon emails me an alert when I have used 50% of the data allowance. I usually receive this late in the billing cycle so I have never exceeded the data limits.

That being said,

For home use you are much better off with a DSL, cable, or fiber optic Internet service. Most of these types of providers have much larger monthly data limits of 150 GB or more. Here is a blog post on current ISP data caps: http://isp1.us/blog/current-data-caps-for-us-isp-providers/

You can either use a wireless router (which has much better WiFi range than a portable device such as a MiFi) or a gateway such as you use.

Another point,

WiFi connections are convenient, especially for portable devices such as tablets, laptops, etc., however convenience comes at a price.

Unless you specifically need a wireless connection, I would not generally recommend it especially for a fixed device such as a desktop PC or for a device used for serious online gaming or video streaming.

Wireless signals are affected by many factors including distance, wall density, electrical interference, directional antenna range, etc.

All of these factors will affect your actual wireless range. As wireless connection quality varies the connection speeds are renegotiated. The connection may start at 150 Mbps and end up at less than 20 Mbps or drop entirely.

You should try to centrally locate your wireless router or gateway up high and away from dense walls and electrical and 2.4 GHz wireless interference such as microwave ovens, cordless phones, baby monitors, etc.

For good consistent speed, your best bet is a direct Ethernet connection. Ethernet is unaffected by wireless interference and will give you a rock solid, stable network connection.

Remember, for Ethernet or WiFi connections, this is only the local network (LAN) speed. Internet (WAN) speed is determined by your ISP. For example a 3 Mbps Internet connection can only provide 3 Mbps even if connected to a Gigabit Ethernet network. No router or connection will make your Internet faster than 3 Mbps.

The only way to Improve your Internet speed is to upgrade your plan or switch to a faster ISP.

Good Luck...

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What are the essential baby items?

best baby monitor smartphone image

J.D.

I am making my baby registry and don't know what is essential. I am a single mother so I need things that will make my life as easy as possible, but I don't know if a bottle sterilizer or something like that is a waste of time, and money. Thanks

Answer
Here's a good resource: http://metropolitanmama.net/2009/04/unnecessary-baby-products-a-list-of-things-not-to-register-for/

There are several other lists on the web of unnecessary baby items. Just google it.

You don't need any bottle-related items at all if you can stay home with the baby and breastfeed until the baby is eating solids (6 months). As a single mom, you probably will have to buy bottles so you can give the baby to a caregiver while you work and then you may need more of the accoutrements that go along with bottles. I don't think you need a bottle sterilizer though. Most bottles can be put through the dishwasher, and some can be boiled. You also don't need a bottle warmer, since you can just get the bottle out a little earlier than you need it and let it warm to room temperature, or put it in a bowl of hot water.

You also don't need a designated changing table. Any dresser or countertop that's a good height for you can be outfitted with a nonskid changing pad. Or get several thin change pads (the kind you can just roll up) and use them to change the baby wherever you are; bed, couch, floor, seat of the car, etc. That's probably what you'll end up doing anyway. Just make sure to never take your hand off your baby when you're changing him/her on an elevated surface. That goes for changing tables as much as anything.

Also, you don't need crib bumpers, crib bedding, pillows, or stuffed animals for the crib. The baby should have nothing in the crib except a well-fitting mattress and a fitted mattress sheet. Anything else is a suffocation/SIDS risk. There is a lot of evidence that crib bumpers are not safe for young infants and yet they're still being sold all over, so parents may not be aware of that. To keep baby warm, register for swaddle blankets, receiving blankets to swaddle baby in, or sleepsacks/nightgowns.

A baby tub is nonessential. You can take a bath with your baby, or bathe them in the sink until they are old enough to take baths in the bathtub. However, baby tubs can be a convenient item since they may make bathtime a bit more comfortable or pleasant for the baby or relaxing for you. They sell some bathtubs that look like buckets, usually called Euro baths. These allow the baby to sit up in the water and are said to mimic a womb-like environment for baby. I have never used one, but I have heard them recommended for colic.

If you have a smaller house or apartment, baby monitors are also unnecessary. Or if you have a smartphone, you can get an app that turns your phone into a baby monitor; you just need to have a second phone.

You definitely need some kind of diapers, whether cloth or disposable, and you need a car seat. Actually, you only need a car seat if you are giving birth in a hospital and/or planning to take your child anywhere in a car. Someone who lives in New York might not be required to have a car seat if it is clear that they are walking home from the hospital. Otherwise hospitals require that you have a properly installed car seat before you leave the hospital. If you're having a home birth, your midwife may or may not require that you have a carseat, but of course you need one if you ever want to drive anywhere with your baby or toddler. Anyone who owns a car should own a car seat. I wouldn't register for clothes or baby blankets because you'll get tons of those as gifts. Diapers, clothes/blankets, and a car seat are really all your absolute essentials. You have a lot of freedom from there as to what products you want for convenience.

For convenience, I would consider registering for a wrap, sling, or baby carrier, wipes (these are pretty essential, but you can always get by with wet paper towels), disposable diaper sacks to control odor, towels, bottles, breast pump, breastfeeding pillow like Boppy or My Brest Friend, nipple cream, a high chair, bibs, burp cloths, grooming items like a nasal aspirator, thermometer, nail clippers, etc., stroller, crib, crib mattress, at least two sets of crib sheets, rocker/glider (for you), footstool or ottoman (for breastfeeding comfort), a waterproof mattress protector for your bed if you will nurse the baby in bed or have him/her sleep with you, breast pads, nursing tops, a food mill if you don't already have one (and want to make your own baby food), baby gate (if you have stairs or unsafe areas in your home), outlet plugs, pacifiers, baby or toddler dishes and utensils, and baby shampoo/wash.

I would also highly recommend buying a few books for your child. You'll want to read to him/her and allow him/her to handle books to promote literacy, and kids tend to chew on library books so having a few favorites at home to let your baby handle and munch to his/her heart's content is a good idea.

Bouncers, swings, jumpers, activity mats, and toys are total extras. If you have a colicky baby or one that cries a lot even if you give him/her lots of love and attention, you may want to try these distractors. By the time you have a second kid, they will probably come in handy, and they can be useful as a safe place to put the baby while you shower, etc. so it's not a terrible idea to invest in one or two of these now. But they should be last on your list, since all your baby needs to entertain him/her in the first year is you. YOU are the best, most educational, most developmentally appropriate toy your baby could ever own, so keep that in mind when picking out toys, even books.

Baby monitor with camera?

Love

I'm having my first child in December and my mom and I are looking at baby monitors and we found on that had a camera and shows you a live image of the baby. My mom was pretty impressed by this as they weren't around when I was a baby. But they are outrageously priced! I think she wants to get one for me anyway, as this is her first grandchild and my mom's the type to spend way too much. So I was wondering does anyone else have these? Worth the price? Are they any good?

Answer
I actually did this, but I used a wireless ip camera. When my son was 9 months old we had to move from a condo to an apartment with no washer/dryer hookup. So I had to leave the apartment to do the laundry a couple doors down and needed a way to see what my son was up to in between loads. I agree that the video monitor setups are very steep. And something worth noting is that every single one I've seen on shelves is not a secured network. So that video signal is open for others to view nearby. I use(d) a dlink IP cam that is networked securely to my home wireless network and accessible via smartphone. It cost about 30 bucks and 15 minutes of setup and I was up and going. I've had this setup for almost 3 years now and it's been helpful. I don't think I've had any memorable absences, but it's a nice piece of mind to make sure my son was sleeping safely when I had to leave the apartment for a moment.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Baby monitor with camera?

Q. I'm having my first child in December and my mom and I are looking at baby monitors and we found on that had a camera and shows you a live image of the baby. My mom was pretty impressed by this as they weren't around when I was a baby. But they are outrageously priced! I think she wants to get one for me anyway, as this is her first grandchild and my mom's the type to spend way too much. So I was wondering does anyone else have these? Worth the price? Are they any good?

A. I actually did this, but I used a wireless ip camera. When my son was 9 months old we had to move from a condo to an apartment with no washer/dryer hookup. So I had to leave the apartment to do the laundry a couple doors down and needed a way to see what my son was up to in between loads. I agree that the video monitor setups are very steep. And something worth noting is that every single one I've seen on shelves is not a secured network. So that video signal is open for others to view nearby. I use(d) a dlink IP cam that is networked securely to my home wireless network and accessible via smartphone. It cost about 30 bucks and 15 minutes of setup and I was up and going. I've had this setup for almost 3 years now and it's been helpful. I don't think I've had any memorable absences, but it's a nice piece of mind to make sure my son was sleeping safely when I had to leave the apartment for a moment.

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