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Usage
Infant Movement Monitor.

Price $129.95

Summary

This infant movement monitor does perform well at monitoring baby movement. However, the lack of a monitoring unit for the parent’s room is a major disadvantage compared to other infant movement monitors.

The Good

• No wireless interference
• No power adapters

The Bad

• No unit for parent’s room
• User manual is complicated
• Missing feature

Full Review

Product Purpose

The BabySense V Infant Movement Monitor is designed to monitor the movement of an infant. The monitor checks that there are small movements (like breathing) every 20 seconds. If the child doesn’t move during a 20 second period, the alarm sounds.

The theory is if the parent is warned of a problem immediately, they can help the infant. While NOT stated on any of the boxes, it is assumed movement monitors can be used for detecting Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) symptoms. Also called “cot death” and “crib death”, SIDS is responsible for about 1 death per 2,000 births. Please see Wikipedia.org for more information and risk reduction discussions.

Baby movement monitors can be used from birth up to about 12 months old.

Setup

The setup takes a while. The directions must be followed for the product to work correctly. The cables must be fed under the mattress and then to the “control unit”. This unit is not wireless and the control unit is, by design, adjacent to the crib. The cable is not long enough to put the control unit on a dresser or nearby table so it has to be mounted on the crib. In out test setup, the adult had to bend over (poor ergonomics) each time to start, stop, and test the unit. This made us grumpy.
It is very important to make sure all cords stay out of the reach of the baby to avoid a strangulation accident!

One real-world tester (a mom) complained the User Manual is complicated.

Batteries and Charging

The “control unit” requires 4 AA batteries that should last approximately 6 months.

Range

Because this baby monitor does not have a parent unit, it is not wireless, and there are no problems with interference from other electronics in the house. The range is limited to the baby’s room, or more accurately within listening distance of the infant. However, we see this as a product deficiency, especially in multi-story homes or when there is noise such as a dishwasher running.

Audio Quality

Audio quality is not applicable because this unit does not have an audio baby monitor function.

Performance and Features

This movement monitor worked as advertised. To simulate a lack of movement, we removed the baby and placed a bag of dog food in the baby’s crib. In our tests, it started clicking at 16 seconds. Then, the monitor continued to beep after 20 seconds until the adult reset the unit. The monitor does not stop beeping when the child moves again. We called the company and a representative advised this is by design so the parent knows there is a problem and must reset the unit.

One tester wished the unit also had an audio monitoring function.

Features:

• Low battery consumption, should last about 6 months
• No wireless interference

Design

The control unit is square, boxy, and very dated looking. There are some funky details, like an extra cable socket that has a plug in it, that indicate a lack of attention to details. The mounting mechanism doesn’t accommodate all types of cribs. There is no sensitivity adjustment as found on other units. We called the company and asked if there is an extension cable to put the unit in the parent’s room. The representative said no, that some parents use the product with an audio monitor.

Manufacturer Specifications

Parent units: not applicable
Frequency: not applicable
Channels: not needed
Range: within listening distance

Buywise.Com Range: not applicable

Category: Infant movement monitor

Parent Unit Included? Baby Unit Included?
Power Options Batteries (Displosable)
No

Review Date: June 30th, 2008

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