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NURSERYindustry Monitors The smart way to monitor a baby


Audio and video monitors have never been a substitute for normal parental supervision but the reassuring feedback they provide is invaluable to parents, especially when the baby is very small. And that feedback is getting smarter.


Gone are the days of listening in via simple audio devices. Now, tech savvy parents are increasingly likely to opt for a monitor that streams video content to their smartphone or tablet. It’s an exciting trend that is gathering pace. With the latest technology, multiple devices can be securely connected to one camera, allowing mum, dad, babysitter, even the grandparents, the ability to keep an eye on little one. As long as there is network coverage, an unlimited range means parents can even monitor


their baby on a night out or when abroad. Indeed, on these occasions, monitors can prove useful way beyond the baby years.


Smart controls now allow parents to pan, tilt, and zoom the camera, change the lighting and capture video and photos, all through the app on their smartphone, while two-way communication makes even a bedtime story from abroad possible. Parents can monitor noise, motion, temperature and humidity in their child’s room and during the night, if baby cries, on-screen notifications and audio alerts can let mum and dad know straight away. Rapid developments in this area mean future possibilities are endless. The latest product, due to be released soon, involves monitoring the baby through a sensor fitted to the child’s babygrow, which then tracks a baby’s breathing, temperature and movements and sends data back to the smartphone app. The product claims that with clinically validated sleep algorithms, it can inform parents when their baby falls asleep, when they wake and how well they are sleeping. Sleep patterns can even be tracked over time.


This exciting trend is however placing new demands on retailers who need to keep up to speed with the latest technology, while advising customers on security issues, including the need to set passwords and keep software


Baby Talk from Nimans


Distributor Nimans has developed a flourishing baby technology range, designed to help retailers maximise margins and capture more sales.


Supplying a vast array of the latest innovations from big name brands and its own exclusive product portfolio, Nimans works with retailers big and small across the country – reinforced by expert advice from a team of dedicated support staff.


Audio and video baby monitors, a prenatal baby sound monitor (AngelSounds) and even a revolutionary device that educates babies in the womb (BabyPlus) form part of a growing product range that also features steam sterilisers, baby food warmers, thermometers, scales, electric toothbrushes, night lights and air humidifiers. With a 30-year trading pedigree, Nimans is renowned for the highest levels of service excellence where guaranteed next day deliveries are made from a state-of-the-art logistics operation in Manchester. The company’s exclusive Hush baby monitors for example combine high value with high performance. Available in stylish audio and video versions, the Hush brand is based on low energy, user friendly technology – keeping parents in close contact with their loved ones when they can’t be there direct. One of its latest innovations allows parents to keep a close eye on their baby from anywhere in the world, thanks to an ingenious interactive ‘smart’ monitor.


The Hush Smart baby monitor (RRP £139.99) page 16 www.nursery-industry.co.uk


connects to any internet enabled device such as a laptop, tablet or smartphone - and boasts night vision, remote camera operation and a snapshot picture function. Apple iOS, Windows and Android compatibility is combined with a listen and talk back feature and the option of ‘timed access’ for a babysitter to use their own device for a limited period only. Users, perhaps on a business trip abroad, can see, hear, talk and even take a photo of their baby. Meanwhile a new arrival has just been added to the expanding range. The Hush Vision boasts many innovative features including voice activation from standby and video recording and playback. Parents can keep a watchful eye on their loved one via a 3.5” colour display or transmit pictures directly to their TV. They can talk to their baby, play lullabies, monitor the room temperature and setup an optional ‘feed alert’ alarm. The Hush Vision has an infrared night mode, 300m transmission, pivoting camera with zoom, nightlight and an SD memory card slot. It has an RRP of £130.


Tel: 01937 847 766 up-to-date.


Smart controls now allow parents to pan, tilt, and zoom the camera, change the lighting and capture video and photos, all through the app on their smartphone...


But not everyone is ready for the smart revolution and retailers should continue stock the more traditional audio and video monitors too. When deciding on stock, retailers should bear in mind a 2011 Which? survey which asked 700 baby monitor owners what the most important considerations were when making a purchase. Their top five were: sound quality; reception/range; price, general ease of use, and portability of the parent unit. The more traditional units can be mains or dual powered (mains and battery) and valuable features include a moving lights sound display which can be watched with the sound down, dual channels and a warning sound when the battery is low or the parent unit is out- of-range.


Just like their smarter counterparts, traditional models also include attractive features such as nightlights, plus the ability to “talk-back” and play lullabies. Thermometers are very helpful given the emphasis on keeping baby’s room the optimum temperature for safe and content sleep.


Movement sensors on some devices sound an alarm in the absence of breathing movement after a set time. Some parents find this reassuring but there is no evidence it reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDs), according to the Lullaby Trust. Most monitors on the market are digital and some offer Digitally Enhanced Cordless Technology (DECT) which ensures that only sounds from the parent’s nursery can be heard. A few analogue models remain and these are the most vulnerable to accidental broadcast - which is when sound is picked up on other people’s devices.

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