Need help programming or operating your infant simulator? Questions about Control Center software and the handheld control unit? You’re in the right place!

If you can’t find the answers to your deepest questions here, please call our helpful Product Support technicians at 715.830.2040 or 800.830.1416 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Central Time).

RealCare^® Baby FAQs

What do the 3 colored lights on Baby’s back mean?

The red light is the battery charge indicator.

• Solid red light: Baby is powered with greater than a 40 percent charge.
• Flashing red light: Baby has less than a 40 percent charge.
• No red light: Baby’s battery module is dead and needs to be recharged.

The green light is the charging indicator.

• Solid green light: Baby is charging. The light will go off once the charge is complete.
• Flashing green light: batteries are warming up; it will take 5 to 15 minutes for the light to become solid green.

The yellow light is the communication indicator.Flashing yellow light: Baby is communicating with RealCare® II-plus Control Center software. The yellow light flashes once every 15 seconds.

How will I know when it's time to recharge the battery module?
FIRST: Make sure that Baby is unplugged from the charger before proceeding!

Control Center software:
The Control Center software will report the battery charge.  There are 5 dots that indicate the battery charge. 

Colored Dots	Battery Status
4-5 Green Dots	Full charge
2-3 Green Dots	1-2 days (recharge recommended)
0-1 Dots	Recharge batteries

Handheld control unit:
The control unit screen displays a battery voltage message when you try to prepare for a new simulation. To check Baby’s battery level at other times:

1. Go to the Main Menu.
2. Scroll down to Baby Utilities.
3. Press the right arrow button.
4. Scroll down to Readiness Check.
5. Press the right arrow button.
6. Point the control unit at Baby and wait for the chime.
7. “Baby Found” screen appears and displays a status and battery strength report.

Battery Voltage	Red Light	Battery Status
5.6 volts or higher	Solid	Full charge
5.4 - 5.2 volts	Flashing	Up to two days
5.2 volts and lower	Flashing	Recharge batteries
	Off	Baby shuts down (battery stop)

When do you configure Baby?
You MUST configure Baby before you send Baby on its FIRST simulation. Configure an ID or IDs so they can be used with that Baby for every simulation. You can configure Baby at any time before the start of a simulation. Once a student ID is configured to a specific Baby, that ID only works with that Baby unless it is reconfigured. It is important to keep Baby and the ID together once they have been configured for each other. You may also give Baby a name (optional) for easier tracking. Baby will not need to be reconfigured unless you need to change IDs or change Baby’s name.

NOTE: For easier tracking, write Baby’s name or number on a small label or sticker and place it on the ID(s) for that Baby.

My IDs don’t seem to be working very well. What is happening?
There are four areas on Baby’s body that respond to the IDs. The best areas for ID recognition are on the front right shoulder, the front of the diaper, the back of the diaper, and on the top of Baby’s back between the shoulder blades. Hold the ID next to Baby for 4-5 seconds. It could take up to 10 seconds for Baby to recognize the ID. Hold the ID still; do not move it around.

During a simulation, Baby will not respond to an ID that was not configured to that Baby. Students are claiming that Baby is not responding to the IDs.
Retrieve the simulation data from Baby and view it. Count the total number of Parent IDs and Babysitter IDs, and then check the total number of requested care events. If the total number of IDs are equal to or greater than the number of requested care events, Baby is responding to the IDs.

Example: Parent ID – 35 / Total Requested Care Events – 32

The excessive number of IDs was from mishandling or fussy events.

What is the difference between "Baby ID," "Baby Name," "ID 1 and ID 2"?
“Baby ID” is the factory name given to the Baby.  The factory name can be changed to make it easier to track reports.

“Baby Name” is a name that the caregiver can give to the Baby for that simulation.  The name will disappear when a new simulation is programmed.

“ID 1 and ID 2” are the ID sensors worn around each caregiver’s wrist. 

What is the difference between ID 1 and ID 2?
ID 1 is recorded as the Parent ID. ID 2 is the Babysitter ID. When the simulation data is viewed or printed out the IDs are called Parent and Babysitter,not ID 1 and ID 2.

Are the IDs waterproof?
Yes, all IDs are waterproof and may be submerged in water. Dry the ID off completely before using it.

How far in advance can I program the simulation?
You can program Baby up to seven days in advance.

I programmed another simulation, but I did not retrieve the previous simulation data from Baby. Is there any way to retrieve it?
Control Center software:
Yes, because you cannot program Baby with the software until you stop the simulation and retrieve the data first.

Handheld control unit:
NO. The Demonstration option, the Practice option, the Troubleshooting Test, and programming Baby for a new simulation erases the data stored in Baby’s computer. Make sure you use Get Data or End Simulation to retrieve the data from Baby BEFORE practicing, demonstrating, troubleshooting, or programming.

Can I program multiple Babies at once?
Control Center software:
The Control Center software will have about a 30-second delay per Baby. However, the more Babies being programmed at once will slow down the communication. We recommend programming your Babies in batches of five Babies at a time for maximum efficiency.

Handheld control unit:
You can only program one Baby at a time. The control unit will only store data for 30 simulations at a time, and it will automatically delete the oldest simulations as more are added.

What is the difference between a Quiet Time and Day Care?
Quiet times are pre-programmed periods of time throughout the simulation when Baby does not cry for care. There are three quiet times available per simulation. They are programmed in one-hour intervals up to 12 hours long. Baby will not ask for any care during a quiet time, but Baby will cry for head support failure, rough handling, Shaken Baby, and wrong position. 

An example of when to use a quiet time is when a student will be participating in a sporting event and no babysitter is available.

Day care is an on-demand feature that is activated with Control Center software by clicking “Day Care,” or with the control unit by selecting Day Care on the Main Menu. You can put Baby into day care at any time during the simulation. Baby stays in day care until you take Baby out of day care. Baby will not cry for care or respond to head support failure, rough handling, Shaken Baby, or wrong position.

Can I add Quiet Times once a simulation is started?
No, you will need to end the current simulation and create a new one.

How long will Baby cry before it records neglect?
Baby will cry for two minutes before it records neglect.

Baby will also record neglect if it is mishandled during a care session. Check your simulation report for matching neglects and mishandling events.

How do I demonstrate individual care events?
Control Center software:
Select “Demo” on the Control Center software. You can adjust the length of time for the care events, and the quiet time between care events. You can have the care events run just once or continuously, in sequential order or random order.

Handheld control unit:
Select “Baby Utilities” from the Main Menu in the control unit, and then choose Demonstration. Scroll down to the specific care event you would like to demonstrate and press the right arrow. Hold the control unit close to Baby and listen for the chime. Baby will cry for the care you requested and will need an ID and the requested care, or Baby will simply make the sound you requested.

Is there a care schedule that RealCare® Baby II will follow in “Practice All” mode?
No, the RealCare® Baby II Practice All mode does not follow a specific schedule. Baby selects care events in random sequence.  

How much time elapses between each care event in “Practice All” mode?
There are approximately 30 seconds between each care event in Practice All mode.

What does Baby do during the “Awake Mode” of the Demonstration?
Nothing. Baby makes no sound during an Awake demonstration. You may use Awake to demonstrate wrong position. Baby will cry when placed on its tummy or upside down.

What are the highest event numbers?
The largest number for numerical displays such as missed care or mishandling is 254.

The report shows a Total Crying Time of 999 minutes. 
The largest number possible for crying time is 999 minutes. Crying time includes all crying for rough handling, wrong position and neglect, as well as scheduled crying for care.

There are a higher number of recorded IDs than there are care events.
RealCare® Baby II will accept the ID during ANY crying event, that includes all care events, mishandle events, and fussy events. 

The report shows that there were 8 abuses but the student has 100% proper care.
Abuses are counted as mishandling and do not affect the proper care percentage. This means that the student responded to Baby’s cries for care appropriately and within two minutes for each care event.

The student report total shows 53 missed care and mishandle events, but the detail screen only shows only 49 total events.
Baby only keeps detail information for the first 49 missed care and mishandle events in combination.  

What are the Easy, Medium and Hard schedules?
Each of the 15 infant schedules is ranked by length of care time and length of time in between care events. The schedules are based upon the schedules of real babies. Easy schedules are the five schedules with the least amount of care time and most amount of time between events. Hard schedules are the five schedules with the most amount of care time and least amount of time between events.

• Easy 9, 11, 12, 13, 15
• Medium 2, 3, 7, 10, 14
• Hard 1, 4, 5, 6, 8

How do I retrieve data from Baby?
Control Center software:
The Babies will automatically turn off at their scheduled times. Have the Control Center software running when the Babies are returned. Once the Babies are within range of the Control Center, the Babies will automatically transmit their data to the Control Center.

Use “Stop” on the Control Center to end a running simulation.  The simulation will turn off, and the data will automatically go into the Control Center.

If the Control Center is unavailable, use the handheld control unit to retrieve the data. 

NOTE: Data from the control unit cannot be transferred into the Control Center.

Handheld control unit:
Use the “Get Data” function on the “Finish” menu in the control unit.

The student immersed Baby in water.
Infant simulators are computerized, electronic equipment and should not be immersed in water. Water damage can affect the performance of the simulator, possibly rendering it useless. The warranty covering malfunction and repair of Realityworks infant simulators does not cover water damage or replacement electronics.

Take off Baby’s arms and legs. Remove the battery cover and drain any water from the battery area. Do not touch the electronics or batteries. Lay Baby on its belly to dry for at least one week. Then try charging the battery module (plus model) or inserting batteries. If the LEDs turn on (plus model) or if Baby beeps, try programming Baby and perform a troubleshooting test. If Baby does not respond, contact Realityworks Product Support at 800.830.1416.

Why is Baby buzzing or making strange noises?
Some electronic devices, like cell phones, create interference. The feedback sound resulting from the presence of a nearby cell phone will not cause any damage or operational malfunctions with Baby.

Baby may make a buzzing sound if the batteries are getting low. Recharge Baby (“plus” model) or install new batteries and make sure cell phones are out of range. If the buzzing sound continues, contact Product Support to send Baby in for repair.

NOTE: Both the control unit and Baby are tested to ensure that interference does not damage the electronics or cause any lasting effect. Both the control unit and Baby are tested to international and FCC standards to ensure that their signals are within safe and acceptable limits and do not pose a danger to people or other electronic devices.  

Can Baby and the control unit be used around artificial pacemakers and other medical devices?
Yes. Both the control unit and Baby are tested to international and FCC standards to ensure that their signals are within safe and acceptable limits. Baby and the control unit do not pose a danger to people or other electronic devices.  

How do I clean Baby?
View the cleaning suggestions for Baby here.

Is there any latex in Baby or the bottle?
No. Baby and all accessories do not contain any latex.

Are the diapers washable?
Yes. Wash diapers in a cold, gentle cycle, do not use bleach, and line dry the diapers.  Washing the diapers does not affect the sensors.

Can I use the grading system I use for my older Babies?
Yes. However, RealCare® Baby II-plus has additional reporting features to help with the grading process. Suggestions for grading can also be found in the RealCare® Parenting Program Manual.

I need the parent/guardian permission form and letter to parents in Spanish. Where can I find them?
This form and other helpfull downloads can be found in the downloadable materials section.

The simulation stopped before its scheduled stop time; what could have caused this?
RealCare® Baby II and RealCare® Baby II-plus are designed to shut down if one of four events occurs (see below). To determine the cause, be sure to end the simulation and then view the simulation report in Control Center software or on your control unit. Look at the on-screen report or the bottom line of your control unit screen for any of the following:

E Stop = Emergency Stop button was used.
N Stop = Neglect Stop. Baby was neglected for 12 hours and shut down.
A Stop = Abuse Stop. Baby was abused 24 times and shut down.
B Stop = Battery Stop. Baby’s battery charge dropped below 5.0 volts and shut down.

NOTE: DO NOT program Baby for a new simulation until AFTER you retrieve the simulation data. Otherwise you will lose the information that shows why Baby shut down early.

How can I stop a simulation early?
Control Center software:
Click “Stop” in the Control Center software.  This will turn Baby off and the Simulation Data will automatically fall into a Report Folder.

Handheld control unit:
Use the End Simulation option in the control unit.

Emergency Stop:
Use a straightened paper clip to gently press and hold down the Emergency Stop button for six continuous chimes. Baby will coo after the sixth chime and become inactive until it is reprogrammed with a new simulation. You will still need to use the End Simulation option in the control unit to retrieve simulation data after the Emergency Stop is used.

NOTE: The Emergency Stop feature should NOT be used as a regular method to turn Baby off.  It is recommended that a student contact you FIRST before performing an Emergency Stop.

Students complain that Baby cries during feeding, even if the bottle or breastfeeding device is held in the proper place.
RealCare® Baby II-plus needs to be held and sense movement while being fed. If the student props the bottle or breastfeeding device up to Baby’s mouth and does not hold Baby, it will cry due to lack of movement. Students cannot prop up the bottle and let Baby feed on its own.  Baby must be held during a feeding.

Are the accessories interchangeable between RealCare® Baby II-plus and original RealCare® Baby?
Only the bottles are interchangeable between Babies. The diapers, IDs, and control unit are not compatible with each other. The original model RealCare® Baby, first introduced in 1999, does not have the same functionality as newer models and has been discontinued. Contact Product Support for compatibility instructions.

Are the care schedules for RealCare® Baby II-plus easier than original RealCare® Baby’s? RealCare® Baby II-plus does not seem to cry as long. 
RealCare® Baby II-plus will only cry five and a half minutes for every neglected care event instead of 30 minutes like original RealCare® Baby.

How does Baby record Shaken Baby?
In order for a Shaken Baby event to register, the neck sensor must detect a pattern in its movement. The neck must make three full back-and-forth movements within two seconds to record Shaken Baby. 

Does Baby breathe? I think I hear breathing noises.
When Baby is sleeping it makes breathing noises.

Do I have to name my Baby?
No, you do not have to name your Baby. You can use the factory set name if you choose.

What does “Checksum” mean in the troubleshooting report?
“Checksum” is a memory test result. The value only has a relevant meaning to Product Support and our software department. 

If I program Baby today to start six days from now, can I leave Baby plugged into the charger?
Yes.

Can I recharge the battery module during a simulation?
Yes, if the battery module is low, you can plug the charger into Baby while it is in a simulation, but Baby will not recognize IDs or diapers while charging. Charging will not interfere with Baby’s schedule. We recommend putting Baby in day care while it is charging so Baby does not cry for care.

Unplug Baby from the charger during a demonstration or while troubleshooting, because Baby will not respond to the IDs or diapers.

Can I run a Demonstration when the Baby is being recharged?
No, the Baby will not respond to the IDs if the charger is plugged in.

How long will Baby hold a full charge?
Baby can run a 5-7 day simulation on a full charge. The battery module will need to be recharged after 6-7 days, even if Baby is not in use.

Why does the battery module lose charge even if Baby is not in a simulation?
Baby remains in a stand-by mode when it is not programmed. It is waiting to receive a command from the control unit or Control Center software and is still in use.

How long does it take to fully recharge Baby’s batteries?
A full charge will take 4–6 hours. Leave Baby plugged in the night before a simulation begins, and unplug Baby when the student comes to pick it up.

How long can I leave the Baby plugged into the charger?
Do not leave Baby plugged in for more than one week.

Baby was charged overnight, but the red battery light on Baby keeps blinking. Is my Baby not taking a charge?
Baby may still have a full charge. Unplug Baby from the charger and check the battery module voltage with the Readiness Check option in the control unit. If the battery charge is 5.6 volts or higher, Baby has a full charge and can safely run a simulation, even if the red light is blinking.

Contact Product Support at 800.830.1416 for battery module reset instructions.

Do I need to remove the green casing from around the rechargeable battery module?
NO. NEVER TOUCH BABY’S CIRCUIT BOARD OR BATTERY MODULE. The Product Support team will give you further instructions if you need to troubleshoot issues with your rechargeable battery module.

When storing RealCare® Baby II-plus for a long period of time, should I leave the charging station or single charger plugged into Baby?
NO! Leave Baby unplugged. The battery module will gradually lose charge. Recharge Babies when you remove them from storage before the first use.

When storing RealCare® Baby II for a long period of time, should I leave the batteries in Baby?
No. Remove batteries from Babies and the control unit when not in use for extended periods.

Can Baby be taken on board an airplane?
No. FAA regulations require that any electronic device be turned off during takeoff and landing. As long as Baby has power, it is always transmitting a signal, and Baby will not be allowed on an airplane.

What accessories should I have on hand when I contact Product Support?
Please have Baby, a charging station or single charger, control unit, bottle, diapers, ID, instructor key, paper clip, and a small Phillips head screwdriver ready when you call.

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