he point of having a baby monitor is so you can hear and/or see your baby when you are not in the same room. Read this guide to find out why you need one and which kind to get.
Health problems
A baby monitor is especially essential if your baby has any of the following health problems:
- Asthma
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Sleep Apnoea
Monitors alert you if there is a long gap in breathing patterns so it is absolutely essential for preventing SIDS, especially if your baby has any of these conditions.
Will you be able to hear your baby without one?
The benefit of the baby monitor is that it is portable. If you need to go outside or to a far end of the house, you can bring it with you. Also, you don’t have to leave the door open to hear your baby so that means your baby cannot hear you. Many mothers agree that is one of the biggest benefits – your baby can disturb you but you can’t disturb his/her sleep.
When your baby is newborn, he/she will wake you up more often during the night so you will probably keep him/her in your room for extra convenience. After the first few months, when you want to move the baby to his/her own room, a baby monitor may give you some extra peace of mind to get used to the adjustment.
Types of baby monitors
There are wired and wireless baby monitors. The wireless variety has bigger range but can pick up interference from other wireless devices. Think about what kind of range you need in a monitor.
There are also video monitors that let you see your baby as well as hear him/her but they are often more expensive and have a shorter range and lower battery life.
Research
Consider what kind of home you have. If your house is a bit older then the walls will likely be thicker so make sure you read reviews on which baby monitor is suitable for your home.
Also, some baby monitors have been known to be over-sensitive to sounds and they alert you to a problem when there is none. Make sure to read some reviews before buying so your baby monitor does not have this problem.
Tips:
- Test the clarity on the baby monitor throughout your house before relying on it.
- Ensure that when you set up your monitor, the cords are well out of the way so your baby can’t grab them and pull anything down or get tangled up.
Baby monitors are absolutely essential for any baby with health problems so you will be able to hear if anything happens while the baby is asleep. Just remember to read some reviews to find the monitor with the best range and features within your budget and test it out before use.
The best thing about having a baby monitor is the peace of mind that it will bring you when you can’t be around your baby 24/7. This is even more valuable if you’re a new parent.