As a Baby Bunching mom, there is very little extra gear we recommend you need before Baby #2 arrives: a second crib (probably), a double stroller (eventually), a new baby monitor to monitor both kids (maybe). A second monitor was one piece of gear I ended up skipping. Mainly, since my daughter slept with/near me for several months, the need to monitor her seemed moot because she was right there with me most of the time.
Our house was set up so that I really could hear each child most of the time. I have been blessed with amazing hearing allowing me to hear the neighbors sneeze three houses down. Great hearing + really loud children = not needing too many baby monitors. I plunked the on monitor we did have in Anna’s room once she was onto a schedule (around 5 months) , but still could hear her through most of the house. She was really loud!
However, most people do want the comfort of hearing and/or seeing their baby and toddler. So here are a few choices and a few Baby Bunching opinions recommended by fellow Baby Bunchers:
Summer Infant Day and Night Dual Scanning Video Monitor:
This is a nice small handheld unit which you can switch back and forth between the two cameras to see each kid. Baby Bunchers admits that it’s so interesting to see what your oldest might really be doing when you close the door. It’s great when you move them into their big boy/girl bed so that you can monitor their activities.
You won’t be able to hear both kids at the same time, but there is a switch on the side of the video unit that goes from A to B. One kid is on camera A and the other is camera B and you just move the switch back and forth to see/hear each kid.
Fisher Price Sound and Lights (using 2 sets):
Using two sets of the Fisher Price Sounds and Lights monitors should also work out. By using a different set in each kid's room you can hear them anywhere in the house. Just make sure one monitor on the "A" setting and the other is on the "B" setting. You need to separate the monitors in each room or you will get a lot of static.
With this monitor, you can choose how long you want it to stay in each room (5 seconds for one, a minute for the other if you want) and you can look up and see what room the noise is coming from (the lights are different colors). Moms love the fact that you can have a receiver/listening part both in one floor and then on another which saves from having to move it around. You can also remove the receiver from its base to take it outside for a couple of hours. Bonus, they have rechargeable batteries!
Fisher-Price Private Connection Monitor with Dual Receivers:
For this one to work with your bunch, you need to buy two of these. You will need to have the same ones to make it work. There are 9 channels, and then never interfere and the receivers are rechargable. But this makes me think you'll be juggling a ton of monitors in your house, but if you already own this one, know that just buying a second one, will work for you!
We'd love to hear your best monitoring tips. (Beyond just ignoring the crying....we know how to do that!)
Our #2 isn't here yet, but we bought a 2nd Summer Infant day night on black friday because it was on a great steal!!! We loved using it on our first and couldn't imagine not having a 2nd one for kid 2. We've set it up and have it all ready. We have kid 1 on camera a and kid 2 on camera b. We have 2 handheld units so at night one will be on each kid. Plus it's nice because we can switch back and forth between kids on 1 handheld. If you have 2 handhelds you can hear each kid!!! If you only need to check on 1 kid sporadically, you may not need the handheld and can buy an extra camera from the company.
I guess I wanted to post how you could hear both kids at the same time with 2 handheld units.
Oh- and they are also on sale often with coupons at BRU!!!
Posted by: Kristi | Mar 25, 2009 at 05:10 PM
our sound and lights monitors are about 2 years old and are both on the fritz :-/ granted, they've taken a beating from our toddlers, but i'm a little disappointed as i expected a little more durability from Fisher Price.
I would add baby sling or carrier to the list of 'must haves'. I would not have survived without mine.
Posted by: MommyNamedApril | Mar 25, 2009 at 05:47 PM
For sight, we have loved the panasonic network camera. We didn't find we really needed a camera with both of them...and they're only 6 mo apart. Ava was sleeping independently and all night by the time we moved Ethan out of our room (she always did) so we used it for him around 10 mo (16 for her). Recently Ava has been testing the climbing out of the crib (and also getting out of the diapers) so she has it back. I like the added bonus that you can see, hear, pan, tilt, and make an account for others to see (like Daddy) or you to see the kids when you're away.
http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Computers-Networking/Network-Cameras/PetCams/model.BL-C131A_11002_7000000000000005702
Posted by: JessPond | Mar 25, 2009 at 09:08 PM