These are the baby monitors that will help you rest easier

Nanit versus Owlet? Miko versus Cubo? Baby monitors have come such a long way from what our parents had when we were young. They aren’t just essentially one-way radios anymore; these are high-tech gadgets that come in a bunch of choices. There are more baby monitors out there than there are sleepless nights in your future. And with so much already on your mind being the parent of a baby, wading through a million different monitor options, all promising to be the absolute best on the market, isn’t exactly easy. There are so many to choose from, and each one does something just a little bit different. That’s where we come in. We’re here to help you sort through all the best baby monitor details.

We’ve done the research and compiled a list of the best monitors on the market. From wearables to AI to the high-tech video monitors, we’ve got you covered. You can do all the comparisons right here (afterall, the Nanit versus Owlet debate is a hot-button topic in the parenting world). So whether you’re up late rocking a newborn, looking to upgrade your existing monitor, or shopping for a baby shower gift, we’ve got it all right here.

Miku Pro Smart Baby Monitor

Miku

A contact-free, real-time respiratory baby monitor, the Miku Pro tracks your little one's breathing and sleep without the use of wearables. That means babies can sleep in any clothing, in any position (both within those infant safety guidelines your pediatrician shared with you), and you can still use this monitor as your child gets older. Create customizable alerts to track movement, sleep, sounds, temperature, humidity and more. The monitor can also play white noise and lullabies to help put your little bundle of joy to sleep. Miku Pro Smart Baby Monitor ($389.98)—Buy Here!

Nanit Pro Monitor & Complete Monitoring System

Nanit

The Nanit Pro camera (available on its own or in a bundle) tracks baby's sleep metrics, breathing motion, temperature, humidity and even height while saving images on crystal-clear HD video. The complete monitoring system bundle includes the camera, a Breathing Band to monitor baby's breathing motion, and Smart Sheets that tracks physical growth. The camera comes with a wall mount; or you can snag a floor stand. You can also purchase Nanit Pajamas, which monitor baby's breathing motion in real time without wires or sensors and alerts you when your they need you. Nanit Pro Monitor & Complete Monitoring System ($379.00)—Buy Here!

Cubo AI Baby Monitor

Cubo AI

There's a lot of sophisticated technology packed inside this cute, bird-shaped monitor. The Cubo uses face detection technology to alert you if your baby's mouth and nose may be covered, either from rolling over on their tummy or having an item covering their face. Set the danger zone alert to let you know if your baby is scaling their crib, or position it around the house to know when your child is too close to the stairs or other potentially unsafe areas. A text alert pops up on your phone when Cubo detects your child's cry. And the AI is even smart enough to notice smiles and larger movements and automatically take photos of them for your viewing pleasure.

Other features include 1080p HD night vision, a wide-angle (135-degree) viewing area, 18-hour video replay, built-in nightlight, temperature & humidity gauge and 4x digital zoom. Three included stands (crib stand, floor stand, and mobile stand) means the monitor grows with your child. Cubo AI Baby Monitor ($299.00)—Buy Here!

Owlet Cam

Owlet Baby Care

This clever camera rests on a magnetic base so you can position it wherever you like; then use the included cable guard kit to secure cables out of baby's reach. There's a secure, encrypted WiFi connection to keep out hackers, but you and other loved ones can view your child on high-definition 1080p video on your phone. Set the Owlet app in Background Mode and you can hear your baby while you use your phone for other tasks. Owlet Cam ($99.99)—Buy Here!

Oma Sense Baby Breathing Movement Monitor by Levana

Levana

This breathing monitor clips on to baby's clothing to monitor stomach movements. If a lack of movement is detected, the monitor vibrates to stimulate the baby and alerts you to the situation. If there's still no movement, the monitor emits an emergency audio alarm so you can check on your baby. Cordless and battery powered, you can easily pop it in a diaper bag for overnights at grandma's house or longer trips. Oma Sense Baby Breathing Movement Monitor by Levana ($82.99)—Buy Here!

Angelcare 3-in-1 Baby Monitor

Angelcare

A 5-inch touchscreen provides clear night vision of your sleeping babe as well as an easy way to access the unit's settings. The unit in the nursery can be placed on a tabletop or the wall transmits a clear image and displays the room's temperature. The monitor comes with a wireless baby movement sensor pad to monitor baby's movement; the monitor sounds if no movement is detected for 15 seconds. Angelcare 3-in-1 Baby Monitor ($274.99)—Buy Here!

The Lollipop

Lollipop

If you're not into wearable monitors, the Lollipop is a great option. AI technology monitors your babe's breathing and filters out ambient noise like wind to accurately alert you when crying is detected. With 1080p Full HD quality, checking on your baby through the Lollipop live feed on your tablet or smartphone from anywhere you are is no problem. You can even set a border inside the camera view to track movements in your baby’s crib. If anything happens outside the border, you’ll be notified. The Lollipop ($159.99)—Buy Here!

 

All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

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Becoming a parent means you’ll need to make hundreds of decisions even before your bundle of joy arrives. And if you think choosing a name is a challenge, wait until you get to car seats. You already know that Walmart has every parenting item imaginable, but now they’re making it even easier to find the perfect products for your family on Walmart Live—a shoppable livestream destination that lets you buy the items mentioned in just a few clicks!

Starting February 22, Walmart Live is teaming up with parenting experts to host Baby Days, a livestream event covering the products on every parent’s list. Get all of the details and set reminders for each livestream below!

February 22 at 2:00PM EST

To kick off Baby Days, Dancing with the Stars choreographer and dancer Lindsay Arnold is teaming up with Chicco to share her go-to bottles along with feeding tips.

February 22 at 3:30PM EST

Next up, hear from the Kurt Workman, the co-founder of Owlet, about their newest gadgets—including the Owlet Dream Sock Baby Monitor that helps you track and monitor your baby’s sleep trends.

February 24 at 11:00AM EST

On Thursday, Lance Bass and pediatrician Dr. Husain will be sharing their tips for new parents along with their favorite products from Pampers.

February 25 at 4:00PM EST

To wrap up the week, Tot Squad founder and Child Passenger Safety Technician Jen Saxton will be talking safety tips for car seats, sharing her car seat recommendations and answering questions from viewers.

Babies are lots of things—precious, sweet, funny, adorable, the list goes on. But one thing they are not? Easy. And that applies whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned pro at the mom game. The good thing is, you’re not alone in navigating the crazy, messy, amazing journey of being a baby mama. Those who have gone before are always ready to offer their best advice. Here are 25 short-and-sweet parenting tips on everything from sleep and must-have baby gear to self-care.

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1. Go slow and spend lots of time at home. It will keep mommy and baby healthy.

2. Have a routine and stick to it.

3. When in doubt, put them on the boob or add water (bath, shower, sprinkler, hydrate).

4. Don't scroll Facebook while you nurse in the middle of the night. It’s harder to get back to sleep, and you’ll miss out on savoring the time with your baby. It really goes by so quickly, although it doesn't feel like when you're nursing several hours a day!

5. Never wake a sleeping baby.

mom and newborn baby
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6. Oldest and best advice in the book: Rest when they rest. Housework can wait.

7. Babies get bored, too! A change of scenery, like a walk around the neighborhood, can work wonders on a grumpy baby.

8. Find your village and ask for help. And if someone offers to come help if you need a shower or a nap, or to do the dishes, take them up on it!

9. There is no such thing as holding your baby too much. Embrace the little moments, be present, and enjoy that little person.

10. If the baby is fed, clothed, and loved, you’re doing everything right. There will be a million opinions on your parenting, so be kind to yourself as long as you know you’re doing your best.

11. Be patient with yourself and baby. You are both new at this. It takes time to get into the swing of things.

12. Tomorrow is a new day.

William Fortunato via Pexels

13. Take time for yourself. When your needs are met, you are more centered, patient and compassionate.

14. Don’t spend tons of money on baby clothes right away. There is ALWAYS a mom who is desperate to get rid of all the cute little outfits she sadly never got to use because babies grow out of things so fast.

15. Electric nail file. #gamechanger

16. Onesie pajamas with zippers only…unless, of course, fumbling with snaps when you’re bleary-eyed and half-asleep during middle-of-the-night diaper changes sounds like fun.

17. Try out different baby carriers until you find one that works for you, then baby wear as much as you can. It makes things so much easier.

18. Velcro swaddlessafe and snug.

19. Gripe water!

20. If you have anxiety while baby is sleeping, get an Owlet or other sleep monitor. Your rest is worth it.

Polina Tankilevitch via Pexels

21. Go with your instinctsthe mom gut is always right.

22. It’s said often because it’s so true: The days may seem long, but the years are short.

23. Do what works for your baby, and don't worry about what anyone else says or does. What’s good for one person’s child may not be good for yours.

24. Don’t compare your baby’s milestones to those of other babies.

25. You are all that your baby needs!

Suzanna Logan

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September is known nationally as Baby Safety Month but ask any parent and they will say their child’s safety is important every day of the year. Choosing the right products can make all the difference.

Insider Tip: to save money on high ticket items, open a gift registry at a retail store even if you aren’t having a baby shower. Once the baby shower date has passed most retailers will offer 10-15% off items that weren’t bought off your registry. Another good way to save is to set a deal alert on Slickdeals.net where a notification will be sent to your email of when and where items go on sale.

Here are some must have items to keep your baby safe this September and every month of the year.

1.  Evenflo Gold Every Stage All In One Adjustable Car Seat: This car seat lets you drive safe and keep your eyes on the road. The Sensorsafe technology in the chest strap notifies you via an app if your child is in an unsafe condition. It will alert you if your child unbuckles themselves, is left behind in the car or if the car temperature gets too hot. The car seat is good from 4-120 pounds. $280

2. Owlet Smart SockThis sock is adjustable and tracks the heart and breathing rate of a child from 0-11/2 months old. $300

3. Compact Clutch Stroller by DeltaThis stroller is perfect for families on the go! It collapses and folds into a compact tote weighing only 11 pounds and fits perfectly into the overhead bin of an airplane. $140

4. Rock It Baby Rocker: Attach this battery-operated rocker to the arm of a stroller and let it rock your baby to sleep. $50

5. Carseat Coat: This coat is crash tested and CPST approved. Puffy coats have been known to create too much space between the seat belt and the child. These coats keep your child safer without all the fluff and it’s vegan and allergen-free! $80

 

Carey Reilly is mom of 2 kids and a writer for Today.com and Family Traveller. She was named a Top 50 Influencer and Brand Ambassador for O Magazine. She co-hosted The Daily Glow. She’s been seen on Today Show, Fox and Friends, Cheddar News, CNN, Food Network, HLN and Wendy Williams Show.

Many new parents worry about if they’re putting their baby to sleep safely and wonder if they have everything they need for a safe sleep environment. September is Baby Safety Month so it is a perfect time to check in on the environment you have created for your baby to ensure it meets safety standards.

At Owlet, we are dedicated to providing new parents and parents-to-be with the best information and products to help ease their transition into parenting while making sure safety remains a top priority.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has established safe sleep guidelines that parents should follow to keep their baby safe when sleeping. These guidelines include:

  • Following the ABCs of safe sleep: Placing baby Alone, on his/her Back, in his/her Crib (or another safe sleeping place).
  • In following this advice, do not place any soft bedding including loose blankets or pillows, stuffed animals, or other soft objects in your baby’s sleeping area. This also includes crib bumper pads.
  • Your baby should sleep on a firm mattress that does not conform to his/her head shape, and should not be placed to sleep on a regular bed, couch, or other soft surface that could contour to his/her body and create a risk of accidental suffocation. AAP recommends using a firm mattress with a tightly fitted sheet only.
  • Consider room-sharing with your baby, but not bed-sharing. The AAP recommends doing this for at least the first 6 months and optimally, for the first year of life.
  • Keep your baby at a comfortable temperature to avoid overheating. Dress him/her in appropriate clothing that does not cover the face or head. Consider using a safe wearable blanket, like a sleep sack.

During Baby Safety Month (and beyond!), help us in spreading the word to all parents in your life on how to create a safe sleep environment for your baby.

 

Kurt Workman is the co-founder and CEO of Owlet Baby Care in Lehi, Utah. He been an advocate for infant health since starting Owlet in 2013. Owlet is best known for its flagship product, the award-winning, Smart Sock baby monitor. Kurt lives in Lehi with his wife and three children.

The average newborn sleeps for three to four hours at a time, according to the National Sleep Foundation, but you probably already knew about the whole babies just don’t sleep thing. Now new stats from an Indeed.com survey show that new working mamas spend an average of 105 days on the job before their littles sleep through the night.

What does this mean for U.S. working moms? For most of us, showing up to work after a totally sleepless night is pretty much the norm, but it also makes returning to a job mere weeks after birth just that much more challenging.

photo: Engin_Akyurt via Pixabay

Indeed.com’s survey isn’t exactly the first set of statistics that points out the impact newborns have on their parents’ sleep. Another survey from Owlet Baby Care found that parents of infants under six-months get a depressingly low amount of nightly shuteye. Almost half of the parents surveyed got between one and three hours of uninterrupted (not total) hours of sleep nightly.

While you can’t change how or when your baby sleeps, your employer may have a solution. In a perfect world, the United States would jump on-board with the extended paid parental leave policies many other countries offer or at the very least, companies would offer flexible start times.

Luckily it looks like employers are taking notice when it comes to tired new parents. Almost two-third of working moms surveyed by Indeed.com said their employers did offer some form of scheduling flexibility in their baby’s first year!

—Erica Loop

 

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There are flowers to buy, brunches to make and macaroni necklaces to paint. Mother’s Day is on the horizon and it’s time to get gifting.

Forget about paying full price. Your mother would never approve. Some of your fave retailers are going all in for this very special day, helping all of you gift givers make the most of your moolah. We’ve got the sales, freebies, deals and more that you need to score!

Amtrak

It’s time for a road trip! Amtrak’s Unconditional Love Sale is offering a 2-for-1 deal from May 9 to 13. Buy one ticket and get one free for travel during June 1 to September 30, and enjoy some special bonding time with mom.

Bath & Body Works

Make the most of your Mother’s Day gift with Bath & Body Works’ tote deal. Get the $117 value product-filled bag for $30 with any $30 purchase. Enter the code MOMSDAY online to claim yours.

Belli Skincare

New moms rejoice! This line of skincare products is on sale (on Amazon) for 20 percent off.

Fogo de Chao

Dine at the eatery on Mother’s Day and mom gets a complimentary card to use on her next Full Churrasco Lunch, Dinner or Sunday Brunch visit.

Kohl’s

Spend $50 or more on select women’s clothing, accessories, shoes, fashion jewelry, juniors’ clothing and home goods between May 1 and 12 in store or online and get $10 off. Download the coupon here or use the promo code MOMSDAY10.

Owlet Smart Sock 2

This high-tech device fits around baby’s foot, tracking their heart rate and oxygen levels as they sleep. Get $100 off this gadget for new mamas through May 12.

Mrs. Fields

Mmm cookies! Get 25 percent off select Mother’s Day gifts online with the code MDAY2019.

TCBY

Treat the special lady in your life with the country’s best frozen yogurt. Moms get a free froyo on May 12!

The Fresh Market

Gift mom with a special brunch deal—including gourmet chocolate and flowers. Between May 10 and 12 shoppers can get either Quiche Lorraine or Broccoli Cheddar Quiche, two pounds of bacon, fresh tropical fruit, pound cake, chocolate and a small mixed bouquet for four for the low price of $39.99.

Tim Hortons

Get a free “mom-sized” iced coffee (52 ounces) at participating Tim Hortons locations.

Whole Foods

The grocery retailer, and Amazon of course, want to help you celebrate Mother’s Day with a discount on tulips. From May 8 through May 14, get 20-stem bunches for $15. Prime members score an added bonus discount, getting the same 20-stem tulip bunch for $10!

Williams Sonoma

Score big on cookware right now. The retailer’s semi-annual cookware event (with up to 50 percent off prices) has plenty of can’t-miss deals.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Xavier Mouton Photographie via Unsplash

 

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