Too much tech?

In this day and age, is there such a thing as too much tech? When it comes to my baby, the answer is yes. For us anyway.

Whilst being pregnant with E lots of people (and Google!) told us about all the things we might need. Milk prep machine, steriliser, white noise machine, bottle warmer, dummy steriliser, feeding light that fits to my bedside lamp, room thermometer, oxygen level monitor, thermometer to clip to baby in bed, breast pump for your bra… the list was endless. I wish I could go back in time now and explain to pregnant Kim how she didn’t need half of those things!

One thing we struggled with was the baby monitor. There were SO MANY to choose from, and they all did different things. We did some online antenatal classes (thanks Covid) and the midwife there introduced us to a monitor that seemed amazing. There was no camera, but a watch like bracelet for the parent to wear and a clip to go on baby’s vest. If baby was crying, too hot, too cold, or rolled over then the parent’s bracelet would alert them. It seemed ideal…

I can confirm that on the second night home with E the parent bracelet was launched across the bedroom (I was well aware my baby was crying - he was in my arms! The vibrating bracelet was NOT helping me) and we returned the monitor the next day. The company were amazing, really helpful and really understanding. We ordered one with a camera in E’s room and we have the monitor with us. Simple. Mind you, it connects over wi-fi and has an app, so I’m always checking him if we’re out/away for a night - in some ways it helps my anxiety, in others it can make it worse.

I remember excitedly ordering Ewan The Dream Sheep Deluxe as one of the first things for E. I played him to my bump and he sat in the Next2Me awaiting E’s arrival. The problem was that when Ewan stopped playing white noise, E woke up again. We switched to an app on the iPad that played all night, and Ewan went to live with our friends’ little girl!

I can honestly say that I think the best piece of tech we bought was the prep machine. Especially at 2am when E would be screaming and it made the bottle perfectly & instantly. That, and the forehead thermometer gun that has been used by all of us, countless times!

I honestly think that going back to simpler times is the way forward. You don’t need a sock that tells you your baby’s oxygen level has dropped by 0.5% - all it does is cause panic. You don’t need the thermometer to clip to their nappy and make them uncomfortable all night. You don’t even need a fancy room thermometer - they gave me one to hang in the room at my first midwife visit. Our parents didn’t have any of those things. If you’re going to buy tech - buy things that make your life easier.

At the end of the day, it’s each to their own. And you have to do what makes you feel happy and confident in parenting. But personally, for me, too much tech caused me too much stress. And nobody needs a stressed out, sleep deprived mama on their hands.