We can hear you, baby--loud and clear.

• Position: WHAT'S NEW?

As parents, one thing we always are angling for is a little peace of mind, followed closely by a small amount of time for ourselves. With the investment in a good baby monitor, we can have both. The LCD Digital Baby Monitor ($199.99) from Philips, Stamford, Conn., allows us to keep tabs on the baby while still enjoying the freedom of movement.

We've burned through a lot of baby monitors in our day, and the sound quality of this Philips unit is unparalleled. What's more, with digital enhanced cordless telecommunications, we know that our connection is secure and private. The data encryption means that we're no longer treated to the sounds of the inner workings of our neighbors' houses, nor are they privy to ours. The DECT technology guarantees zero interference from other baby monitors as well as cordless and cell phones. With more than 60 radio channels, it automatically chooses an unused one for its voice transmission. If it detects another device, it immediately switches to ensure a crystal clear connection without interference.

Since it has walkie-talkie...