As much as you would like to spend all your time with your little one, it simply isn’t practical when you need to get the dishes done or get your older child ready for school. A baby monitor is a fantastic device that allows you to keep an eye on your baby, even while you are working in the kitchen or have left your little one with a sitter.
The baby monitor will immediately notify you if there is something wrong, not to mention, you can finally get some shut eye without worrying about checking the nursery every few hour every night.
In this article you will learn
Reasons To Invest In A Baby Monitor
As a parent, you try to do everything you can to ensure the safety of your little one. You take them to the doctor’s when they are sick, feed them, and clothe them, whatever it takes to make sure they are healthy and well cared for.That being said, it is a good idea to keep an eye or ear out for your child using a baby monitor.
Here are a few compelling reasons why you should invest in a baby monitor:
Peace Of Mind
Investing in a baby monitor allows you to keep an eye on your child in real time so you can monitor your baby while you are in the garage, kitchen or anywhere else in the house.
Buying a baby monitor is much better than running back and forth to check on your little one.
A baby monitor is the perfect investment if you want to complete your chores uninterrupted.
Your Sleep
Being a sleep-deprived parent is no fun. We know you love your baby but you need to get some sleep too. A baby monitor allows parents to comfortably sleep throughout the night without feeling unpleasant or irritable. Now, you can head in to the bedroom and get some shuteye yourself when your baby is asleep.
Your Space
You don’t have to prove how much you love your child by spending every minute of every day with them because that is just not possible. You may have work to do around the house, like vacuuming and washing dishes or taking out the trash.
And sure, while your baby may appreciate being carried around in a sling, sometimes your baby needs to rest in his crib while you are carrying about your daily chores. A baby monitor offers you the flexibility you need to get some ‘me time’.
Contains Video Feed
If you are tech savvy and want to keep a close eye on your little one, a video compatible baby monitor is the perfect investment for you. Some advanced baby monitors display your baby’s vital signs and notify you if your bub hasn’t moved in a while. All you need is to glance at your phone to ensure your baby is safe.
Lifetime Investment
A baby monitor isn’t just handy when it comes to monitoring babies but can also be used to keep an eye on toddlers and older children. You would want to know what your toddler is up to and whether they are safe. Additionally, the baby monitor will also notify you if your kids are arguing with their siblings.
Not to mention, you can ask them to settle down when using a two-way monitor.
Overall, a baby monitor is a great investment and is the perfect parenting tool to ensure your child is growing up in a safe and healthy environment.
It offers peace of mind which you probably wouldn’t be able to achieve without it.
Investing in a baby monitor also allows you the flexibility to move and carry out chores around the house while ensuring your kid is alright.
Types Of Baby Monitor
Baby monitors are available in several different models and features. Parents can either invest in baby monitors that transmit video or in a simple monitor that only detects when the moves. Keep in mind that the construction of the house and how far away the monitor is placed can also affect how it works.
If you are facing any such problems because of the distance, it is best you invest in a transmitter.
Here are some common types of baby monitors:
Baby Sound Monitors
Sound monitors are practically the most commonly used baby monitors out there and are available in analog and digital models.
Sound baby monitors have a transmitter that allows you to pick up sounds from the baby’s room and transmits it to the receiver.
This notifies parents when their baby is awake or is crying because they are hungry. Sound monitors are often small and portable.
Depending on the brand, the monitor may have more than one receiver.
Prenatal Sound Monitors
Unlike other types of baby monitors that are used to ensure the safety of your child, prenatal sound monitors are designed for parents who want to hear the heartbeat and hiccups of their unborn babies. This device can be placed over the mum’s belly and you can hear the sounds inside the womb using ear buds.
Some devices also feature a recording option so that parents can keep precious memories of their child. However, keep in mind these devices are not reliable enough for diagnostic and medical purposes.
Baby Video Monitors
When it comes to ensuring the safety of their child, some parents get extra comfort seeing what their baby is doing in real time. Baby video monitors feature a camera and a microphone that transmits sound and images onto the receiver. The receiver is typically a handheld device that features a colored or B & W screen.
Some baby video monitors allow you to carry the portable screen wherever you go. This gives parents the ability to watch their babies from any location as long as they have a computer and internet connection.
Depending on the brand you have opted for, these monitors can have multiple cameras, LCD displays, automatic camera scanning and night vision.
The picture quality is the easiest way to determine how useful the monitor is but it also comes down to your personal needs.
For example, if you only want to monitor your child’s movement, a monitor with a low picture quality will do but if you want to keep a close eye on your baby and also monitor their facial expressions, opt for a baby monitor with good picture quality.
Baby Motion Monitors
These monitors are quite different from the devices mentioned above because they are not designed to transmit the baby’s movement or sounds. This type of baby monitor features a sensor that can be placed under the mattress of baby’s crib to detect the child’s movements.
Babies are prone to move several times in their sleep and in case the baby does not move for more than 20 seconds, the alarm will go off.
Some advanced models may also notify parents if the baby is crying. This type of monitor is commonly used for premature babies who are too weak or babies that have health complications.
Pan And Tilt
In the beginning, your baby won’t be moving around too much and will mostly spend all their time napping, which might cause parents to steer away from a pan and tilt feature, thinking it is not worth the price. At this point, you are probably hoping to get a camera which you can point at your baby and that’s that.
Unfortunately, that’s not how it’s going to be after a few months, because your lovable human larva will soon start moving around their crib, getting into all sorts of mischief. And when this happens, you will need a remote camera that offers a pan and tilt feature.
Fortunately, most brands offer a baby monitor with a pan and tilt feature. However, there are two kinds of pan and tilt cameras.
The first kind of pan of tilt camera allows you to move and scan the room via a remove control and by using the parent unit.
While this does not exactly change your field of view, it increases the amount of space you can view while using the camera to see more parts of the room.
Depending on the model and where you mount the camera, you might be able to view the entire room using the pan and tilt feature.
Wi-Fi Video Monitors
This type of monitor requires parents to have an internet connection and some type of compatible device that can be used a parent unit.
Wi-Fi video monitors typically work using an app so you can keep an eye on your little one. They may also use a website where parents can log in and set up an account. This is among the most complex types of video monitors out there but offers the most benefits.
This type of baby monitor makes it possible for parents to keep an eye on their little one while they are at work. In addition, some models offer parents the ability to invite friends and family to take a peek too. This is a great feature for grandparents who live faraway to feel more loved and involved.
Features To Look For When Buying A Baby Monitor
Want to invest in the best baby monitor in town? Here are a couple of features you ought to look out for:
Analog v. Digital
What matters more than the privacy of your little bub and your family? While analogue monitors are cheaper and less expensive, there is a risk that someone is able to intercept the signals and listen in. Invest in a digital model, this type of technology makes it impossible for other people to eavesdrop. Some digital models also feature a lock that encrypts video images.
To minimize intervention of other devices, you should look for a model that features digital enhanced cordless technology (DECT).
Audio and Video
Do you frequently get up in the middle of the night to watch your baby sleep? Investing in a baby monitor with sound and video capability will make it easier for you to keep an eye on your little one without leaving the room.
Parents can also invest in audio-only monitors that allow you to hear your child when they’re crying, these models are typically less expensive and take up less room.
You can use video monitors for a variety of purposes, including cameras that pan and zoom, night-vision images and other cool options.
Some of the latest models also have the capability to work with smart devices so you can conveniently monitor your baby while you are at work or at the store.
Some of the latest models also allow parents to track their baby’s vital signs, notifies if the baby hasn’t moved recently, makes predictions for when your little one will wake up and keeps track of the temperature in the baby’s room.
Size
The smaller the receiver, the easier it will be for users to carry around the house. Parents can choose between a monitor with a separate parent receiver and a monitor that is designed to work with your smartphone.
Frequency
When choosing a baby monitor, you need to pay special attention to the frequency of the device. Most basic models use 49 megahertz. You can find a baby monitor with a greater frequency as well, for example, 900 MHz but this might interfere with older cordless phones that have the same frequency.
To address this problem, many companies have started offering baby monitors with a greater frequency. However, a few modern cordless phones operate on the same frequency so the problem may persist.
Low Battery Indicator
You can’t risk the baby monitor suddenly switching off when you are at work or at the store. Ensure the baby monitor you are purchasing has a low battery indicator that lets you know when it is time to charge or change the battery. Some baby monitors may have an alarm to notify users immediately.
Multiple Receivers
Some baby monitor models offer 2 receivers. This is handy for folks who want to leave one receiver in the room and carry the other one around the house.
Certain brands provide you the option to buy an additional receiver for an extra price.
Baby monitors that can connect to smart devices typically allow parents to share the signals with loved ones, say grandma and grandpa.
Multiple Transmitters
According to your preference, you can invest in baby monitors with multiple transmitters that will allow you to monitor 2 to 3 or as many rooms as you want at the same time. These systems often have 2 parent units and some can also work with smart devices.
Sound-Activated Light
You might not be able to hear your baby crying if you are vacuuming or busy trying to get your older child ready for school. In such situations, it is best you invest in a baby monitor that lights up when it detects noise. This allows you to glance at the monitor and know instantly if there’s something wrong.
Safety Tips While Using A Baby Monitor
If not used with caution, a baby monitor can quickly turn into a dangerous addition to your household. In fact, because of the safety issues surrounding the device, parents must follow proper instructions and ensure they know how to use the device properly. Fret not, mentioned below are some tips that will help keep you and your baby stay safe:
- Always keep the monitor out of the crib and never position is inside or on the edge of the crib. The baby monitor is not something your infant should be playing with.
- Be careful of strangulation. Children as young as six months are at risk of wrapping the electrical cords around their necks. Ensure the monitor transmitter is placed at least 4 feet away from your child and the crib to avoid accidents.
- Consider printing a label and pasting it near the electrical cords. Speak to the manufacturer about how to keep your kids safe. The label will serve as a reminder for other caregivers and will promote baby safety while the monitor is in use
- Ensure the baby monitor is placed in a dry, cool area. Do not plug the monitor at a point where it might get wet.
- It is important to always protect your privacy. Web connected baby monitors and appliances that make up internet of things can easily be hacked if you are not too careful. There have been several reports of hackers speaking to parents and children through monitors whilst controlling the cameras.
- This is a serious breach of privacy, not to mention it is a huge threat to the safety of your child. To avoid such circumstances, set a strong password for your baby monitor and home network. Also, only give out the password to trusted folks, such as family and friends.
- Worrying about child safety does not end once you have purchased a baby monitor. Keep in mind that a baby monitor will not protect your child from accidental falls or from conditions, such as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Some precautions include dressing your child in a one-piece sleeper rather than using multiple blankets to keep them warm, keeping soft toys and pillows out of the crib and putting down your infant down to sleep on their back.
Tips For Setting Up A Baby Monitor
Now that you have gotten your hands on the best baby monitor in town, it is time to pay attention to setting up the device.
It is important you pay proper attention to the use and location of the baby monitor. This will ensure the efficiency of the device.
Here are a few basic tips to help you set up the baby monitor:
Understand The Importance Of Placing The Transmitter
The transmitter end of the baby monitor will need a wall plug to operate. Ensure the transmitter is placed away from the baby and works properly. The efficiency of the transmitter depends on where the transmitter is placed. While most models are highly sensitive to sound, ensure the transmitter is placed 5 to 10 feet away from the crib.
Ensure You Have The Right Receiver For The Job
It is important to double check the quality of the receiver. Unlike the transmitter, the receiver unit must be plugged in when the wireless remote needs to charge. However, keep in mind that the sensitivity of the unit may vary depending on the model. It is important to consider what activities you will be busy in while your little bub is down for a nap.
Some baby monitors feature a belt clip that is attached to multiple receivers, which can be placed in various locations throughout the house.
This makes it easier for parents to complete their chores around the house without running back and forth to keep an eye on their little one.
Some receivers not only transmit sounds but also vibrate when the baby cries.
This is helpful for parents who may be watching over their children while their baby is asleep.
Be Aware Of Frequency Interference
Additionally, you must also be aware of the baby monitor’s radio frequency. Most baby monitors in the market are mostly available in three different categories: 49 MHz, 900 MHz, or 2.4 GHz.
The type of frequency you opt for should match your personal needs and requirements. The frequency of the device also depends on where your family lives and what electric devices are used in the house.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this helpful guide has provided you all the information you need regarding baby monitors. For more information about investing in the best baby monitor for your little one, don’t forget to check out our detailed buyer’s guide. Good luck!
Sources used in this article
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