It is impossible as a parent to be near your baby every minute of the day. There are times when you have to leave them whilst they are sleeping so that you can do those necessary jobs around the home, or even have a cat-nap yourself! Parents do not need to worry anymore about how to ensure that their baby is safe because a baby monitor will help to do this for them.
If you go to a reputable baby store, you will find many types of baby monitors at varying prices. How do you choose which ones will suit your needs and which are the best for the money? As a parent wanting the best for your baby, it is easy to get caught up in the extra features available but do you really need them?
Types of Baby Monitors Available
The main need in a baby monitor is to enable the parents to hear if the baby is awake and crying. So, a basic monitor with a radio transmitter and a receiver will suffice. The transmitter is positioned near enough to the baby to pick up sounds they make, and the receiver is positioned somewhere in the house with the parent.
The important points to consider with a basic baby monitor are does it cover the range required and how good is the reception? Most models can cover a range between 650 - 2,000 feet. A wide bandwidth, for example 900 megahertz, will give a good, clear reception. However, interference from other wireless devices is an important issue to consider. If you live near other people and there are many mobile phones, concrete walls, and cordless phones you'd do better to choose a lower bandwidth of about 40 megahertz.
This interference can also be reduced by choosing a baby monitor with multiple channel selection. A digital monitor will not only give you more clarity but is much better at reducing interference. However, be aware that the range of these digital baby monitors is shorter than non-digital.
You may decide to go for a monitor with extra features. Before you get convinced of the need for these, keep your budget in mind and be sure that you really believe these are important.
Extra features include:
Web-cam - this allows the parent to record pictures of the baby while playing or sleeping. The benefit is not only that you have a recording that can be kept or sent to family members and friends, but that you know what is actually happening in the room. Some are so advanced that they have a voice activator which, when connected to your TV or VCR, switches on the screen when a noise is made.
Mattress motion sensor - A pad is placed under the crib mattress that senses every move of the baby. This doesn't mean that an alarm is going off frequently, as all babies move while they sleep, but when the baby doesn't move for a specific amount of time then the alarm in the baby monitor will sound. This is especially good for peace of mind if you're worried about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) but don't rely on it as prevention.
Light Display - A light will turn on when your baby is crying. This is especially useful if you are doing noisy work around the house or if you've turned the volume down while you're entertaining because you still know if the baby requires your attention.
Battery Light - This shows if the battery is running low.
Intercom - You can talk to your baby for reassurance without having to go to their room immediately.
Are there unreliable baby monitors?
Overall, baby monitors are safe and reliable to use. Consumer Reports will give you a more detailed and informative opinion on which are the better ones to use. Baby stores are selling baby monitors every day so ask for their opinion - they should have some relevant customer feedback.
If you want to buy online, first research the brands thoroughly. Check that they have a return policy if you're not satisfied.
Summary:
Having a baby monitor allows you peace of mind because you can hear every sound even though you are not there with your baby. But what must you know before buying and do you need those extra feature?
Years ago, parents kept track of their babies by waiting for them to cry out and then checking on them. At one time, it was even advised by the experts not to check in too often, but to stick to a rigid schedule. Times have certainly changed. Now days there are monitors which will let parents listen in to the baby's room so they will know if he is awake or asleep. They can also utilize a video monitor to keep the baby in sight while he is in his crib. They can even set up the monitors to spy on the babysitter.
It is no wonder baby monitors are so popular. They are actually quite handy devices. Now a mother can put the baby to sleep in a room upstairs and go about her day downstairs or outside and still be able to listen in on the baby to know when he wakes up or starts to cry.
The baby monitor is a simple device and is inexpensive and has become a common piece of baby equipment just like a changing table and stroller. A baby monitor has a one way speaker that lets parents listen in to their baby's room so they can hear all his sounds from anywhere in the house. It definitely gives new parents peace of mind and saves many trips sneaking a peak at the baby to make sure he is still in the crib and okay.
In addition to the audible baby monitor, parent's can also choose to install a baby cam. This will allow them to watch video of the sleeping child. They can even set up the baby cam to watch the babysitter take care of their baby, and keep an eye on the cam while at work or anywhere there is a computer connection. Some of the baby cams are so small, the babysitter would have no idea she was being watched.
Another type of alarm will emit a sound when the baby makes a noise. This type of baby monitor is handy if the parents are taking a nap or sleeping at night and are afraid they will not hear the baby cry.
There are even high tech medical alarms for newborn babies that sound an alarm when the baby stops breathing. This type of alarm is used for babies that are at risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or who have had incidences of apnea (cessation of breathing) in the hospital. Apnea is not uncommon in certain medical conditions or if the baby was born very prematurely. An apnea baby monitor is connected to the baby's chest and when the movement stops, then the unit will sound an alarm and the parents, or the nurse, simply jiggle the baby until he starts breathing again. Newborn babies would have to remain in the hospital for much longer periods of time if it weren't for the availability of apnea monitors.
The baby monitor in all it various styles and applications serves a very useful purpose in monitoring the baby and giving parents peace of mind. Parents of years gone by might just shake their heads at such baby monitoring technology, and advise parents not to worry so much about their sleeping bundle of joy because when he wakes up, he will definitely let everyone in the house know he needs some attention.
Both Brooke Hayles & Anne Morris are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Brooke Hayles has sinced written about articles on various topics from Credit Cards, E Books and Online Dating. Brooke HaylesCheck Out More Helpful Information About Baby Monitor For FREE! Visit Vault Now!. Brooke Hayles's top article generates over 823000 views. to your Favourites.
Anne Morris has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Management, Coffee Advantages and bowling. Anne Morris is an established freelance writer. You can find more of her writing at and. Anne Morris's top article generates over 60500 views. to your Favourites.