There are many different baby monitors on the market at the moment and parents do get confused on which one to buy. Baby monitors transmit sound, and sometimes video images, from one room to another, so you can hear your baby or child from any part of the house. They are very useful with infants who sleep in a room apart from their parents and wake up at night for feeding, teething, being unwell, or comforting.
For best results, place baby monitors within 10 feet of your baby’s cot so they’ll pick up every sigh, noise and cry. Video monitors need to be close enough to get a good image of your baby.
Top tips for buying:
Digital: Digital models convert sounds into data, which makes it almost impossible for other people to eavesdrop.
Video: Video Monitor allow you watch your baby while they sleep. Video monitors offer a wide variety of options, including different screen sizes, cameras that zoom in and out, and even night-vision images for nighttime viewing.
Security: Video monitors that don’t encrypt their signals can also give other people a peek into your baby’s room, so it’s wise to choose a model with strong security features.
Low-battery indicator: Get a monitor that lets you know when to change the batteries with an alarm or flashing lights.
Sound-activated light: Buy a unit that lights up when it detects noise allows you to glance at the monitor and know instantly that something’s going on when you may be busy settling another child or watching TV.
Moving lights and music: Some monitors will play music and have a light display and will play for 5 to 15 minutes. The Indication of music can give your baby a good wind down in the evening.
Talk back System: If you have an older child you can communicate with them by saying I’m on my way.
Temperature Guide: Some monitors can keep track of the temperature in your baby’s room, send out a signal if the baby’s room is too hot or cold.
A night-light on the baby unit: Night-lights will provide a comforting glow to your baby’s bedroom and will allow you to breast feed without turn the main light.
Sensor pad: Some monitors have a sensor pad that goes under the mattress and sounds an alarm if your baby stops moving or breathing.
Safety Guide: If the baby monitor has a flex, make sure it’s well out of your baby’s reach – not within 3 feet of the cot. Please make sure your baby is kept safe at all times as the flexes can cause harm.
What will it cost you:
Basic monitors start at about 80 Euros. More advanced designs, with better security, multiple receivers, and longer range can cost as much as 300 Euros. Video monitors start at about 140 Euros and can go as high as 400 Euros, depending on range and image quality.
© Teresa Boardman, Nanny Options.
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