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Bringing a baby at home can seem like a daunting experience to most new or even experienced parents. Babies need constant care and with that comes the necessity for constant monitoring. This is both stressful and exhausting for parents, especially for those who don’t have extra helping hands at home.
Luckily, modern advancements in technology have brought tools that make life much easier for parents. One of these magical gadgets is the baby video monitor. Baby video monitors can serve as a massive source of relief for parents who want to keep an eye on their little ones throughout the day. With some of today’s baby monitors, it’s even possible to check on your baby when you’re across the country or the world!
In this article, we’ll take you through the value of owning a baby monitor and what some of your best options on the market are, based on your budget and requirements.
Table of Contents
What is a Baby Monitor?
If you’re not sure what a baby video monitor is, don’t stress! We understand how confusing the range of appliances needed for baby care is. That’s why we’re going to explain exactly what a baby monitor is.
A baby video monitor is also known as a baby alarm. It’s a radio device that is utilized to listen to sounds made by an infant. The audio monitor usually consists of a transmitter unit, which is fitted with a microphone and placed next to the baby. It transmits the sounds by radio waves to a receiver unit with a speaker carried by or kept near the person that takes care of the infant.
Some baby monitors allow for two-way communication to take place. Essentially, the parent or caregiver can speak back to the baby. Some baby monitors play music to soothe or entertain the infant. Some are equipped with cameras and are referred to as baby cams.
Top Reasons To Buy A Baby Video Monitor
You might be asking yourself, “Do I really need a baby video monitor?” The truth is you don’t have to buy a baby monitor. But most parents find it surprisingly useful and reassuring to have one around, which is exactly what makes investing in one worth it. Here are some reasons why buying a baby monitor is wise:
- It’s a convenient reassurance.
Being a parent to a baby is stressful enough by itself. Why not make life less worrisome with the help of a handy gadget like a baby monitor.
- It helps with sleep training your little one.
Sleep training is a notoriously difficult process for even the most experienced parent. Having a baby monitor can help you understand if your child’s crying is of the crocodile variety or the cry for help variety.
- It can be used to monitor slightly older children as well.
Baby monitors don’t just have to be used for small babies. When your little one is old enough to move into a big kid bed, a baby monitor can be used to help make that transition easier.
Baby monitors can also be helpful if you’re a caretaker for an elderly person who needs round-the-clock care.
Tips For Choosing A Baby Monitor:
Here are some important tips to make a note of before you buy a baby monitor:
- Pick a model with a frequency that’s higher than 900 MHz. This cuts down the potential of random interference and allows for crystal clear sound.
- Choose a model that lets you know when it’s running low on battery. This can help prevent any last-minute scrambling and stress for you.
- Invest in a wireless model so that you have more room to roam around your house while also checking on your baby.
Check for a model that has a sound-activated light that flashes when the receiver picks up sounds. This is helpful in case you live in an area that tends to be noisy.
Types Of Baby Monitors:
There are a wide variety of baby monitors that you can purchase, depending on your budget and requirements. Here are some of the types of baby monitors.
To break it down first, here are three main categories of baby monitors:
- Audio baby monitors
- Video baby monitors
- WiFi baby monitors
Each of these baby monitors lets you keep an eye on your baby differently based on the gadget’s specific features.
Audio Baby Monitors:
The most basic and most commonly used type of baby monitor is the audio one. These baby monitors pick up on sounds that arise from the room that your baby is in. It’s most useful during your baby’s nap time.
Audio baby monitors are quite dependent and usually affordable. It’s the ideal monitor for you to buy if your budget isn’t too high. The only downside is that you can’t see your baby via the monitor, which means it might be difficult for you to tell if your infant is just babbling or moving in their sleep or whether they’re awake.
Video Baby Monitors:
As the name suggests, video monitors let you see your baby the whole time they’re being monitored. In the same way that a security camera works, a video camera is attached to a place in your baby’s room, ideally at a point where the cot or crib is most visible. Nowadays, these cameras generally have modes like zooming, tilting, and night vision — so that you can see your baby even when the lights are all off.
With these cameras, you might even be able to have multiple video receivers so that you can check on your infant from different parts of your house. Some video receivers are also linked to apps that you can download on your phone. This allows you to keep an eye on your baby no matter where in your home you are, on just one device.
Video monitors are naturally slightly more expensive than audio monitors but are generally budget-friendly.
WiFi Baby Monitors:
WiFi monitors are the smartest in terms of technology. They are also the most convenient. These baby monitors are connected to your WiFi network so you can see or hear your little one through your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
WiFi monitors give you the freedom of being able to monitor your baby even when you’re away from home. This is a feature that can be extremely helpful and comforting to parents that have to step out or work away from home. It can even be useful to parents when someone else is taking care of their baby temporarily.
WiFi baby monitors are known to be more expensive when compared to their other two counterparts. It’s helpful to keep in mind that you don’t need a high-tech baby monitor. Even the simplest baby monitors generally get the job done with no problems.
You can also put a baby monitor on your baby shower registry in order to help with the financial burden.
Audio Monitors Versus Video Monitors
Now that you know what the various kinds of baby monitors are, let’s check out some of the pros and cons of audio monitors and video monitors.
The Pros of a Video Baby Monitor:
- Some parents feel more reassured if they’re able to see whether or not their little one is okay.
- Since they don’t only pick up sounds that are within range, video monitors can be used to keep an eye on more than one child. This is easier and more convenient for some parents, especially when it comes to figuring out which child needs to be cared for.
- Most modern video monitors are equipped for night vision, which means you can check on your baby without disturbing their sleep with light.
- Some of the newer video monitors come with music, room temperature control, and night lights. These features can come in very handy for new parents.
- The zoom features on video monitors are helpful sidekicks in monitoring your baby.
- Video monitors also commonly come with more than one receiving unit that serves as another point of convenience.
The Cons of a Video Baby Monitor:
- The additional features available on video monitors mean they are definitely more expensive than audio monitors.
- They often have a shorter battery life than most of their audio counterparts.
- They can be technical and tricky to use.
The choice between video and audio monitors really does come down to what suits your family the most. If you think that a video monitor is likely to give you more peace of mind than an audio one, then you should consider investing in that. Also, ensure that any baby monitor, whether video or audio, has a strong enough range and good connectivity in your house.
Conclusion:
Now that you know everything that you need to know about baby monitors, you’re informed enough to make a good decision. Pick one that suits your needs, your home, and your baby, and let it take some of the stress of being a parent to a little baby away. And don’t forget, you don’t necessarily need a fancy, high-tech model of baby monitor to be a good parent — you already are one.