Baby monitors have made life easy for new parents. Rushing to the room of a crying baby, or getting up in the mid of the night to ensure your baby is peacefully asleep, can be done peacefully when you use a baby monitor. Your baby has your attention while you are at work when you have gone to the grocers, or even when you are in another part of the country, thanks to the new-age technology. They have found their way into the baby registry list for the pros they accompany. Get to know how to use, and things you need to be careful about using baby monitors here.
Setting up the baby monitor
- You can buy and set up the baby monitor even before your baby comes home. This way you can get to know the frequency interference. Sometimes they can pick up sounds of fans or AC, and you can get a clear picture of the same.
- Place the baby monitor cords at least 3 feet away from the cradle or bassinet. There are chances of the babies suffocating because of these cords.
- Never place the monitor or the cord on the crib or close to it. The baby monitor should never be within the reach of the baby.
Warning: Since 2002, there are seven deaths recorded in the US associated with the cords of baby monitors, and 3 babies nearly suffocated due to the cords. So, setting up the baby monitor in the right place is crucial.
How long can I use the baby monitor?
It is the parents’ decision that goes with the duration of use of these monitors. The babies tend to wake up on and off during the first few months. A few babies can have a disturbed sleep pattern even till they turn 12 months. For a few parents, baby monitors come in handy even at the toddler stage. They can keep an eye on the kid who keeps climbing the bed. A few might find monitoring the baby constantly very stressful. If you are co-sleeping or your baby sleeps in the same room, there is no need for a baby monitor.
After your baby turns one or two years old, there are still ways to use it, like:
- Use when your toddler enjoys individual playtime
- You can keep a tab on your child when you are in another room loaded with chores
- When you have your work or my time, you can be free from the worry of abandoning the baby because you haven’t heard him cry
- Baby monitors come in handy when you want to see how much time your toddler needs to fall asleep after you have said good night
Types of baby monitors
- Audio monitors: They pick up background noises, and let you know when the baby cries. You cannot know why the baby stirs or cries. But, they would bring to your ears the baby’s cries. They are less expensive compared with their counterparts.
- Video Monitors: The video camera is fixed in the baby’s room, and your monitor gives a live picture of your baby. You can know if your baby cries during sleep or is fully awake. If you require you can have more than one video receiver set up in different rooms. You can zoom the video, and even get a clear picture when the lights are switched off.
- WiFi Monitors: Your smartphone or other digital device keeps you connected to the baby when choosing WiFi monitors. They are of high quality that you can use when you are not at home.
What monitor should I choose?
It depends on your needs and the size of the house. In a small house with the bedrooms closer to each other, an audio monitor would suffice. A video monitor is required if you have bedrooms at different levels at home. Or, if you have yard work often, or other work that keeps off from baby during nap times, a video monitor comes in handy. Go for a WiFi monitor, which is expensive, if you need to go out often, or if you have returned to work leaving the baby with a caretaker.
