Can I use an Angelcare Sensor Pad in a Moses Baskets or Travel Cot

Moses Baskets and Travel Cots are some of the most commonly used items for a new baby. Here at Angelcare we also get quite a few questions on their use with our Angelcare Baby Monitors.

Previously, we have not recommended the use of these bed setups alongside an Angelcare Baby Monitor. That recommendation is due to the likelihood of the monitor picking up what we call "false movements" and not operating as intended.

That hasn't stopped parents from still using Moses Baskets and Travel Cots, though. So, to better enable you as parents, we're updating our position on this topic. Angelcare does not recommend the use of Moses Baskets and/or Travel Cots, however it is also our aim to offer advice on optimal setup where you can use your chosen sleep arrangement with an Angelcare Baby Monitor. 

NOTICE: Angelcare does not endorse a specific retailer or the use of a specific brand of Moses Basket and/or Travel Cot

IMPORTANT! children have strangled in cords - Ensure all cords and cables are kept out of babies reach

Before we look at setup, we need to know what "false movement" actually means in relation to Angelcare Baby Monitors.

A false movement is when the Sensor Pad picks up a movement that is not from baby. Because no two homes are made equal, there are a wide range of possible situations that may cause false movement, such as:

• A large load driving past causing vibration
  • trains, planes and cars etc.
• Movement from inside the nursery/sleeping area
  • fans during hot weather, mobile above baby's cot
• People walking past/through the sleeping area
  • even more so in homes with wooden floors
• Sleeping next to the Moses Basket/Travel Cot
  • movement from adult in bed can be registered by the Sensor Pad, even when asleep

You can read more detailed information about false movements here: CLICK ME!

Follow our "4 corner test" guide to set up your Movement Sensor Pad here: CLICK ME!

Setting up your Angelcare Baby Monitor with your Moses Basket / Travel Cot

Wired Sensor Pad: cable from the Sensor Pad positioning and correct sensitivity setup is important, related models are:

• AC300
• AC115
• AC401
• AC403
• AC601
• AC701
• AC215
• AC315
• AC1100
• AC1300

Refer to your product manual (link above) and the "4 corner test" (CLICK ME!) to assist you with this process.

Ensure the Movement Sensor Pad is as central and flat as possible within the basket or cot. Using a hard base (cardboard or thin wood) can help keep the Movement Sensor Pad flat.

Follow the four corner test to ensure you have the optimal sensitivity setting selected.

IMPORTANT! children have strangled in cords - Ensure all cords are kept out of babies reach

DO NOT REMOVE! the Cord Cover Kit under any circumstance. This may lead to damage of the cable and increased risk of strangulation.

Where possible, feed the Sensor Pad cord (and Cord Cover Kit) through the base of the Moses Basket/Travel Cot and toward a corner of the cot, ideally in the same direction as baby's legs.

All cables must be securely fastened underneath the mattress so baby cannot reach any cord. Ensure that there is no slack in the cord.

Babies can move about during sleep and may find their way toward exposed cables. Keeping cables underneath their sleeping area and far out of reach (and possible reach, should baby move) drastically reduces risk.

Finally, ensure all other cables from units (such as the Nursery/Camera Unit) are kept at minimum 1 metre away from baby's sleeping area.

Wireless Movement Sensor Pad: no cables, but correct setup is important, related models are:

• AC017
• AC117
• AC417
• AC517

As with the wired Movement Sensor Pad; ensure the Sensor Pad is as central and flat as possible within the basket or cot. Using a hard base (cardboard or thin wood) can help keep the Sensor Pad flat.

Follow the four corner test to ensure you have the optimal sensitivity setting selected. Refer to your product manual (links above) and the "4 corner test" (CLICK ME!) to assist you.

Though there are no cables directly within baby's sleeping area, ensure any cables for additional units are kept at least 1 metre away.

No Sensor Pad: video and/or sound only monitors, these are the:

• AC110 
• AC210
• AC310
• AC510
• AC1120
• AC1320

None of the above monitors come with the Angelcare Sensor Pad, so with these again; though there are no cables directly within baby's sleeping area, ensure any cables for additional units are kept at least 1 metre away.

Remember, detailed setup instructions can be found in the product manual which you can download from the links above.