Baby Monitors

Safety

Baby monitors are an invaluable tool for parents who live far away to keep tabs on their infant. But there are several safety considerations when selecting one.

Aside from potential strangulation risks caused by monitor cords, some experts worry that baby monitors may not be accurate in detecting low oxygen levels and heart rate. According to a study from Children’s Hospital Philadelphia, these devices may give false alarms when children are healthy and are unreliable when it comes to detecting Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Many wearable baby monitors attach to a bracelet or sock and transmit data via smartphone app. Some even utilize Bluetooth technology for transmission of information.

Audio-only monitors lack visual capabilities. On the other hand, some of the best baby monitors come equipped with features like night vision, two-way walkie-talkie radio, room temperature sensor and receiver that vibrates or flashes lights so you can turn off the sound.

Some of the most popular baby monitors are WiFi-connected. These use your wireless network to connect with other devices and give you peace of mind while checking in on your little one from work, on a date night out, or anywhere else you happen to be.

However, it’s essential to remember that WiFi-connected monitors are an open window into your home network and could potentially be hacked by malicious hackers. Therefore, always use strong passwords and keep up with device firmware updates.

If you’re concerned about the security of your wireless device, use a VPN or set up an isolated Wi-Fi network that is only accessible in your home. Alternatively, turn off all access to your network when not in use.

Audio

A reliable audio monitor allows you to hear noises coming from your baby’s room even when you are outside or elsewhere in the house. They use radio or digital signals to transmit sound from a baby unit that typically plugs into a wall in their nursery.

The receiver unit may light up to indicate there is noise or vibration coming through the device. This gives you a visual cue if your baby is getting restless or needs checking on quickly.

Some audio monitors shown off over at Scoopearth also come with additional features, like a temperature gauge and two-way talkback that let you communicate with your baby and soothe them back to sleep. These can be especially beneficial for parents who travel frequently or whose little ones get sick and require comforting in the middle of the night.

When selecting an audio monitor for your nursery, ensure it provides high-quality sound and doesn’t create excessive static or white noise that could interfere with hearing the sounds of the environment. Furthermore, be able to set the volume level and turn off the sound when sleeping if desired.

When shopping for baby monitors, look for models with a range of at least 1,000 feet and encryption to protect your signal. Some even provide Wi-Fi connectivity which can extend their range even further. Wi-Fi monitors tend to offer greater security, making them ideal for parents who travel or live in large homes with multiple walls to traverse.

Video

Baby monitors with video capabilities offer you a way to watch and hear what your little one is up to, even when you’re not present in person. Plus, these devices give you peace of mind in knowing your infant is secure.

Video monitors function by sending audio and/or video footage from a camera to an external unit (typically your smartphone or tablet), where you can watch and listen in real time. Unlike traditional audio-only monitors, video models allow for remote pan, tilt, zooming so that you can keep an eye on your baby no matter the angle.

Most video-equipped models feature a color camera with resolution ranging from 320p to 1080p. The higher the pixel count, the clearer your view of your baby will be.

Some of the more advanced models offer features that can monitor sleep patterns, breathing, heart rate, oxygen levels and temperature. They may even send alerts to you if your baby wakes during the night or has an accident in their nursery.

When selecting a Wi-Fi or non-Wi-Fi model, make sure it has enough range to cover your entire home. Range varies between models, so make sure enough reaches your child’s room no matter their location in the house.

Some video baby monitors don’t use Wi-Fi at all, instead having separate display units plugged into your wall. These tend to offer more security since the video feed stays within your home and thus is less vulnerable to hackers. They’re more portable and versatile than wireless models but typically costlier as well.

Flexibility

Baby monitors come with a range of features to help parents keep an eye on their little ones. Some work together with smart phone apps so you can watch while away from home; others feature multiple cameras for multiple children.

Some of these systems even allow you to chat with your baby live online via the internet. If you’re a busy mom who works or attends school while their infant sleeps, this feature can be an incredibly helpful time-saver.

In addition to video monitoring, these monitors also detect your baby’s breathing and sound an alarm if they don’t move within a preset period of time. This feature comes in handy with newborns as it lets you know when they’re about to wake up.

Another type of baby monitor, called Wi-Fi-based, sends signals to your smartphone or tablet in real-time if connected to the internet. This is ideal if you need to leave your child home while at work as it takes away some of the anxiety that may accompany having your little one alone for too long.

The downside of these types of monitors is they’re more vulnerable to hacker attacks than standard audio-only ones. Therefore, it’s essential to use a strong password for security and make sure the camera’s firmware is updated regularly in order to guard against any intrusion attempts.

Monitors come in a range of options to suit the needs and budgets of different families, so it’s essential to find one that works for your lifestyle. Jennifer LaBracio, the gear editor at baby registry site Babylist, emphasizes the significance of taking into account both space requirements as well as personality characteristics and parenting style when selecting a monitor.

Cost

Baby monitors range in cost from several hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on the features you want and how smart they are. Most are wireless and can be connected with smartphones, allowing you to keep an eye on your little one from anywhere with just Wi-Fi connection and a smartphone or tablet.

Some of the more expensive models offer additional features, such as temperature monitoring and monitoring your baby’s heart rate and oxygen levels. Some even let you play a soothing lullaby or chat back to your infant from another room.

These can be a useful perk, particularly for working parents who may want to check on their baby while they’re gone at work. Some even feature night lights so you can see your child’s room when they wake up in the middle of the night.

The ideal video monitors offer high-definition HD video. Additionally, you should look for a camera that can capture images even in low light conditions and an ample screen size so you can watch it comfortably.

You might also want to consider investing in a monitor that tracks your baby’s breathing, sleep patterns and other health metrics. This could provide extra peace of mind about their sleeping patterns. However, experts caution against using such devices if parents are already anxious about their baby’s wellbeing.

When searching for the ideal baby monitor, factors like your home size and personality/parenting style must be taken into consideration. Parents living in apartments may want to opt for an audio-only monitor rather than investing in a smart video monitor; on the other hand, those who live in larger houses may require more comprehensive monitoring with multiple types of sensors.