Baby monitors and breast pumps advice

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Hobchild

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#228592 13-Jan-2018 13:56

Hello fellow geekzoners I'm about to have my very first baby in a little under two months and although we think we have most things sorted I'd like advice on baby monitors and breast pumps. If you have any recommendations on brands, where to buy, what not to buy etc I would love to hear from you. Even better if you think you have a something you would be willing to sell I'd love to hear from you too.

Thanks in advance

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#1938152 13-Jan-2018 14:51

We bought a second hand Oricom baby monitor (SC 210) off trademe when our first was born about 3 years ago. It was well regarded by Consumer, and while it's pretty simple it does the trick. The base station is mains or battery powered, meaning it can be easily moved for temporary relocation, though we've only had to do that once. It has bunch of functions (a small night light, a lullaby function, feed time reminders, intercom) but we've never really used them. One function we have used is the in room temp sensor, especially during this summer when temps started soaring. It's 2.4ghz but we've had no issues with wifi interference and range is pretty good around our property.

The baby monitor has been a great investment. It's given us a measure of freedom and assurance, though there was a period where we were leaping up and down at each little sound, so we took to turning down the sensitivity so we slept through the smaller noises.

We never bothered with the video models, though we did dabble with an app based solution using an old iPad and our iPhone. That was a bit hacky and that's why we went with the proper baby monitor. On a couple of occasions we've said it would be nice to have a video feed as well, but it's so rare that it probably isn't worth the extra cost.

We did look also at the sensor pad monitors, which have a pad that goes under the mattress and detect when movement stops (supposed to be an indicator of SUDI/SIDS) but again the cost wasn't warranted, and a lot of what I read online indicated a high rate of false positives.

A good quality, simple baby monitor is worth getting. Check out consumer for reviews, but I reckon most of the models at places like Baby Factory or Babycity.co.nz should be fine.

We also bought a manual breast pump but never really used it. My wife breast fed for a few weeks but we ended up not using it and instead borrowing an electric breast pump from our midwife. Manual breast pumps are quite slow and laborious - fine if you're doing it occasionally and have the time and patience, but probably not great for long term use. The electric pumps are expensive, but you might be able to rent them if you just need one for the first month or so to help build flow and supply. The Medela range are excellent, and seem to be what the hospitals use. We rented one from the local La Leche group for a month when our first daughter arrived. You just need to buy the hoses and cups, but overall it's a lot cheaper than buying the whole machine.

timmmay

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#1938156 13-Jan-2018 15:02

We have a Avent monitor, works well. Big tip: there's a button that reduces LED brightness. Got it from Amazon.com.

We also have an Owlet monitor, first generation. It goes on the foot with a special sock and monitors blood oxygen level and pulse, a consumer version of the ones they use in neonatal intensive care. Went off for us once, though we suspect it may have been a false alarm. Mine cost US$250, I think they're US$350 for the current generation. Probably more than you need, but I appreciated it, and it's better than the monitor pad things. Been thinking about selling it as I think my 14 month old would just take it off now, message if you want that kind of thing.

Can't help with pumps. NICU in Wellington Hospital sells and rents them out. You might not need one. Bottle fed isn't something that the "establishment" is allowed to talk about, but if baby's hungry give it formula. I'd go so far as to take some of the "ready to go" formula to the hospital in a small bottle (Avent again), because if baby's hungry sometimes the nurses and midwives won't give you formula - Wellington. We put in a complaint they were so awful about that - though in general they were fantastic. Our baby was mostly bottle fed, he was the first to crawl, walk, etc out of our parents class.

What city are you in?

NightStalker

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#1938172 13-Jan-2018 15:51

just been through this

pretty much the places to buy these from are;
http://www.babyfactory.co.nz/
https://www.babycity.co.nz/
https://www.farmers.co.nz/

2 main breast pump brands to look at are Philips Avent and Medela
Cant comment directly as I'm not the "user" but my partner ended up with the Philips and seemed happy with it.
Once you choose a make you get locked into using their attachments/containers.

babyfactory and www.babyonthemove.co.nz/ both hire out the Medela brands

we got the Philips storage containers off amazon as well as microwave steriliser etc.

for the first carseat/capsule you can rent from mountainbuggy.com for the first 6 months

we looked at monitors and at the reviews about multiple brands and they all seemed pretty average with not one standing out.
Angel care did seem to have a slightly better review/reputation but are hard to find in NZ and cost more.

We ended up getting a babysense model and the only reason we did that is that the other brands bundles included the babysense cot sensor so we figured we just all from the same brand.
we haven't used the cot sensor as yet but might do soon. the main problem with them is the false/positives and remember to turn off if you take the baby out of the cot which can be hard to remember at 3am.

The monitor was a dect wifi camera one (same technology as a cordless phone). I didn't want a wifi/camera/app based one as there's been too many security issues with these over the years.
the video function is great as when the little one stirs at night its easy to check if they are awake/ distressed etc or just making noise during sleep.
we got our babysense kit from amazon but you need to be careful when buying overseas to make sure it fits with NZ frequency laws.

My partner belongs to a private facebook group for "NZ- month when due". she said she possibly found it in forums via http://www.ohbaby.co.nz. So I'm assuming there other similar "when due" groups also.
They exchange heaps of info between themselves so it might be useful to see if one exist for your due month.

lokhor

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#1938378 13-Jan-2018 21:01

timmmay:

We have a Avent monitor, works well. Big tip: there's a button that reduces LED brightness. Got it from Amazon.com.

We also have an Owlet monitor, first generation. It goes on the foot with a special sock and monitors blood oxygen level and pulse, a consumer version of the ones they use in neonatal intensive care. Went off for us once, though we suspect it may have been a false alarm. Mine cost US$250, I think they're US$350 for the current generation. Probably more than you need, but I appreciated it, and it's better than the monitor pad things. Been thinking about selling it as I think my 14 month old would just take it off now, message if you want that kind of thing.

Can't help with pumps. NICU in Wellington Hospital sells and rents them out. You might not need one. Bottle fed isn't something that the "establishment" is allowed to talk about, but if baby's hungry give it formula. I'd go so far as to take some of the "ready to go" formula to the hospital in a small bottle (Avent again), because if baby's hungry sometimes the nurses and midwives won't give you formula - Wellington. We put in a complaint they were so awful about that - though in general they were fantastic. Our baby was mostly bottle fed, he was the first to crawl, walk, etc out of our parents class.

What city are you in?

There's a pretty huge amount of evidence that breast milk is far better for babies than formula, and it takes time for feeding to establish so it is a terrible idea to take formula to the hospital. If you do this you are preventing your child from having the best opportunity to be healthy and also preventing the mother from the various benefits that come from breastfeeding (bonding, reduction in cancer risk).

All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

lokhor

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#1938380 13-Jan-2018 21:02

In regards to breast pump, we got an Avent one which was terrible and then got the Unimom Forte, which is what the hospital will usually loan out to people and it was a lot more effective.

http://www.babyfactory.co.nz/4008907-view-1.html

As for baby monitor, we had an Angelcare video one with sensor and it ended up being useless because our daughter would not sleep by herself.

All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

blackjack17

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#1938383 13-Jan-2018 21:14

lokhor:

timmmay:

We have a Avent monitor, works well. Big tip: there's a button that reduces LED brightness. Got it from Amazon.com.

We also have an Owlet monitor, first generation. It goes on the foot with a special sock and monitors blood oxygen level and pulse, a consumer version of the ones they use in neonatal intensive care. Went off for us once, though we suspect it may have been a false alarm. Mine cost US$250, I think they're US$350 for the current generation. Probably more than you need, but I appreciated it, and it's better than the monitor pad things. Been thinking about selling it as I think my 14 month old would just take it off now, message if you want that kind of thing.

Can't help with pumps. NICU in Wellington Hospital sells and rents them out. You might not need one. Bottle fed isn't something that the "establishment" is allowed to talk about, but if baby's hungry give it formula. I'd go so far as to take some of the "ready to go" formula to the hospital in a small bottle (Avent again), because if baby's hungry sometimes the nurses and midwives won't give you formula - Wellington. We put in a complaint they were so awful about that - though in general they were fantastic. Our baby was mostly bottle fed, he was the first to crawl, walk, etc out of our parents class.

What city are you in?

There's a pretty huge amount of evidence that breast milk is far better for babies than formula, and it takes time for feeding to establish so it is a terrible idea to take formula to the hospital. If you do this you are preventing your child from having the best opportunity to be healthy and also preventing the mother from the various benefits that come from breastfeeding (bonding, reduction in cancer risk).

Yes this is true, however it is also bad to make mums feel like crap if their milk supply hasn't come in yet. There are a number of reasons why a baby might need to be supplemented. Both my children have been breast fed (one till a year and half and the other is still on (4 months)) but both have needed formula in order to stay alive.

My second was 4 weeks prem was losing weight and if he hadn't had formula probably would have died. He is now happily breast feeding. Breast milk is best but but not always an option.

It is not a terrible idea to take formula at hospital if it is needed. The nurses/doctors will not suggest it if it isn't needed. My experience at Auckland is highly positive.

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blackjack17

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#1938385 13-Jan-2018 21:17

As far as breast breast pumps go, don't assume that you will need one, most people don't. Also what will work for one won't always work for another.

Do check out the Facebook due date groups and other groups.

best of luck

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elpenguino

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#1938388 13-Jan-2018 21:27

blackjack17:

lokhor:

timmmay:

I'd go so far as to take some of the "ready to go" formula to the hospital in a small bottle (Avent again), because if baby's hungry sometimes the nurses and midwives won't give you formula - Wellington. We put in a complaint they were so awful about that - though in general they were fantastic. Our baby was mostly bottle fed, he was the first to crawl, walk, etc out of our parents class.

What city are you in?

There's a pretty huge amount of evidence that breast milk is far better for babies than formula, and it takes time for feeding to establish so it is a terrible idea to take formula to the hospital. If you do this you are preventing your child from having the best opportunity to be healthy and also preventing the mother from the various benefits that come from breastfeeding (bonding, reduction in cancer risk).

Yes this is true, however it is also bad to make mums feel like crap if their milk supply hasn't come in yet. There are a number of reasons why a baby might need to be supplemented. Both my children have been breast fed (one till a year and half and the other is still on (4 months)) but both have needed formula in order to stay alive.

My second was 4 weeks prem was losing weight and if he hadn't had formula probably would have died. He is now happily breast feeding. Breast milk is best but but not always an option.

It is not a terrible idea to take formula at hospital if it is needed. The nurses/doctors will not suggest it if it isn't needed. My experience at Auckland is highly positive.

+1 to both of you. The benefits of breast milk are well known but if there isn't enough,a supplementary source of food is required. If bubbs is your first you might have trouble recognising the signs and 'whats normal'.

The establishment may push you towards persevering with BM even if it isn't flowing. My experience was to persevere with an inadequate supply of BM only until bubbs lost 10% of his birth weight, then they changed their tune. Bubbs then existed on BM first with FM top ups and it was the best of both worlds.

Weird thread for geekzone...

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

timmmay

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#1938389 13-Jan-2018 21:33

When you have a screaming hungry newborn baby at 2am and hospital staff that are being as difficult as possible it's good to have the option.

Hobchild

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#1938437 14-Jan-2018 00:20

Haha yeah I know it's a weird thread for geekzone but there are no forums I am a part of where this wouldn't be a weird thread and I'm happy I did as I've received some great advice already.

Me and my wife live in Dunedin so I guess we'll find out if the hospital staff there are nice or not (might take some formula just in case though). We are definitely after an electric breast pump (probably a double) due to my wife going back to work after 12 weeks before I take over as the main guardian. We probably won't actually make the purchase until after she has given birth as we want to be sure she is not one of the few who cannot produce enough milk but I want to do as much research first so I know I'm getting a good one.

We might look into hiring one but it still seems rather expensive.

timmmay

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#1938454 14-Jan-2018 08:18

Kids are expensive, get used to it!

Have a look at Breastapo. New parents are constantly bombarded with "breast is best", to the point it's approaching brainwashing. NZ midwives and hospital staff aren't even allowed to discuss other options, to the detriment of the child. Agree there are advantages to breast feeding, but if a woman can't breast feed it just serves to make her feel like a failure. No evidence that "breast is best" is ever offered either - not that I particularly doubt it, I just wonder how much better it is.

Though I don't really want to get into a debate here.

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tehgerbil

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#1938460 14-Jan-2018 08:53

We have a video monitor as we have 2 cats, and we were paranoid the cat would try and sleep with the baby.

It's been worth its weight, as anxious first time parents it allowed us to see the baby, and when she made noise gave us the unique ability to confirm she was asleep/awake before going in and waking her up anyway!

We got a Motorola MBP36, the battery has lasted 3 and a half years now!

afe66

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#1938465 14-Jan-2018 09:36

Once our kid moved to own room we used a Foscam8910w webcam to stalk the child using apps on phone (Android and iPhone) and vlc short cut on htpc.

Initially we had a hand me down audio link which we used for sound but the webcam was very handy to check what noise was because initially if we went in sometimes child would wake up.

With time we stopped using the audio monitor for every little sound and just used webcam when we heard or thought heard something. Especially useful at night when your trying to sleep.

(IP Cam viewer)

MileHighKiwi

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#1938476 14-Jan-2018 09:50

You can't go wrong with the Phillips breast pumps. Get it from Amazon, Baby City etc are expensive as hell. We got a box of baby stuff (bottles, pump, play mat etc) from Amazon and saved about $250. Use YouShop.

We used a baby monitor for about a week but sold it as our house is only 100 m2 and you can hear the baby crying from anywhere in the house. Each to their own but we felt it was unnecessary.

Re formula, seeing as it has been bought up...breast is best but you have to do whatever works for you. We started supplementing formula at 3 months to help get our babies through the night. It was the main thing that helped settle the baby, a nice full tummy.

timmmay

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#1938479 14-Jan-2018 09:54

Yeah, out little guy slept through the night for 3 months mostly due to formula. Breast feed babies take much longer.

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