Baby monitors enable you to keep an eye on your little one even when you’re away from the room. They’re especially handy while at work, as you can monitor their movements and take action if needed.
Some models also monitor movement, sound and breath to provide you with valuable insights into your child’s sleep patterns. Others still can provide split screen viewing so that you can watch more than 1 room at a time.
Video baby monitors
Baby monitors give you a way to keep an eye on your child even when you’re not present. Typically, they feature a receiver that plugs into a home wall socket and transmitter attached near the infant’s crib.
Different baby monitors exist, such as video, audio and motion models. Some are more expensive than others while offering additional features like the above mentioned split screen options.
Audio-only baby monitors are the most basic and budget-friendly type available. While they lack many of the other features that video monitors provide, audio-only baby monitors can still be a good choice for parents who don’t want to spend extra money on an electronic gadget.
They may feature noise indicators or vibrating alerts that alert you when the receiver is out of range. Some systems even support multiple transmitters, enabling you to cover more rooms in your house simultaneously.
These monitors can be linked to a smartphone app, enabling you to check in with your child from anywhere with an internet connection. Some even connect to handheld devices that you can carry around the house for added convenience.
Some of these monitors use voice activation to alert parents when their child is awake or starts crying. This feature has become increasingly popular as children grow older and become more independent.
These monitors can keep an eye on your baby’s breathing, heart rate, oxygen levels and temperature. Additionally, they record movement for you – an effective way to promote better sleep in your little one. Some models even allow you to control the camera from your phone for added flexibility.
Wi-Fi baby monitors
Wi-Fi baby monitors give parents instantaneous access to their child’s live feed from any internet connected location. This is perfect for parents who need to keep an eye on their kids while they’re with a nanny or running errands.
Although more expensive than traditional monitors, advanced models offer features like sleep analytics. This is especially helpful for parents who want to track their baby’s sleeping pattern over time and how they respond to specific things such as white noise or lullabies.
WiFi baby monitors often come with an app that stores videos and photos on a mobile device, making them perfect for modern parents who need to stay flexible with technology. Plus, having an easy way to share footage with family members who don’t own a monitor themselves is invaluable.
Another advantage of these devices instead of other types of baby monitors is that they consume no Internet bandwidth when connected to your home network. This is a huge benefit if you’re on a limited data plan or don’t have fast Internet access.
Unfortunately, Internet-connected monitors can be vulnerable to hacking attacks due to your router’s vulnerability; if you don’t change your password regularly, hackers could potentially gain access to what you are viewing onscreen.
When security is a top concern, opt for a non-Wi-Fi model. Not only will this save money on your router, but it provides better quality feed that can be viewed on screen. Just make sure the router is situated securely and has strong signal strength – otherwise, you’ll end up with low quality video that’s difficult to watch.
Audio baby monitors
Audio baby monitors are an ideal solution for parents who want a cost-effective and dependable way to monitor their little one. Not only are these devices easy to set up, but they don’t take up a lot of time or energy either – helping keep parents’ lives more organized.
These monitors work by transmitting a radio or digital signal that picks up noises from baby’s room and sends it to a parent unit you can wear around your neck. You’ll be able to hear all of your baby’s cries, which is an invaluable way to stay aware of their moods and comfort them when they’re feeling sad or upset.
The VTech DM112-2 audio monitor offers DECT 6.0 technology with a range of up to 1000 feet, two-way communication via microphone and LED lights to indicate sound level. It also has low battery alert, volume control, belt clip and rechargeable batteries in the parent unit.
Another excellent feature of this product is that it goes silent when your baby isn’t making any noise. This feature can be especially helpful when trying to sleep train your infant or soothing them before entering their room.
This device also features a vibration alert system that will wake you if your child makes any movement. This feature is especially beneficial for new parents and babies who are preemies or have respiratory issues.
Safety should always be your top priority when selecting any baby monitor, particularly audio monitors due to the potential risk of strangulation from wires or cords attached. It’s essential that you select a model without these potential dangers and keep the receiver out of reach at all times.
Motion baby monitors
Baby monitors offer new parents invaluable peace of mind and are usually at the top of a registry’s wish list. These devices provide audio and video surveillance so you can keep an eye on your little one at all times.
They’re also an excellent tool to help you maintain your child’s sleep pattern. Not only do they offer soothing lullabies and other comforting sounds, but also alerts when room temperatures or moisture levels change – essential elements for getting enough rest at night.
Some of these systems also provide features to monitor a baby’s breathing patterns. They usually come with an additional wearable (usually a sock, band or clip) that sits on your child’s body and sends data to an app, alerting you when they’re breathing deeply or not.
Another way to monitor a baby’s sleep is with a motion monitor that uses sensors to track their movements while sleeping. These can alert you when there’s any change in behavior like rolling over or changing positions while asleep – which could indicate an urgent medical issue that requires immediate attention.
These monitors are typically much smaller than video ones, yet offer the same features as their bigger counterparts. Typically, they feature two-way talk, lullabies and other sleep aids, a temperature sensor, as well as infrared night vision for added safety.
Some of these monitors offer features designed for longevity with your growing baby, like mapping out custom “danger zones” in your home. These zones will send an alert when your child enters them, helping ensure they don’t venture off in search of safety.
Oxygen baby monitors
Baby monitors are now widely used to keep tabs on your little one’s breathing and oxygen levels, helping you check in when you can’t be there in person. Some of these devices attach onto clothing or diapers and alert you when your child doesn’t breathe for a certain period of time; others slip around your child’s foot to collect data about their heart rate and blood oxygen levels.
These vital-data monitors are sometimes promoted as a way to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, doctors warn that these devices may not be beneficial for healthy babies and should only be utilized when your infant has medical complications such as sleep apnea or was born prematurely.
In addition to breathing and blood oxygen monitors, some devices also measure your baby’s heart rate or movement. Many of these monitors feature audio and video capabilities so you can view your child from afar.
Some of these monitors can be pricey and difficult to use, so it’s essential that you read reviews before purchasing one. False alarms happen frequently, so choose a model with an established track record for dependability.
Though these devices are increasingly popular, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend them for healthy infants. According to AAP, these devices have not been proven effective at preventing SIDS and there is no scientific evidence supporting their use. Instead, parents are advised to follow their doctor’s recommendations for at-home monitoring if their baby has any medical issues.