Baby Monitors
Since their invention in 1980, most parents cannot imagine doing without a baby monitor. Over 400,000 are sold in the UK each year, and they are especially useful for families who live in big houses. All monitors come with a minimum of two units; one for you to listen to and one which transmits sounds from your baby’s room. They offer parents peace of mind, especially during the night, and can help in emergencies. There are now many different types of baby monitors on the market. Below are details of some of the more popular types.
Basic Audio Monitors
Audio monitors are the most common type of baby monitor, and simply transmit noises from your baby’s room to the listener in a different room. There are hundreds of brands of this type of monitor, but there are features that you can look out for that make the monitor extra effective.
- Light Display - Some monitors come with moving lights on the front, which are a visual translation of your baby’s noises. This means that you can monitor your baby even with the sound off on the receiver, though of course you will not know which type of noise is being made.
- Talkback Facility - This allows you to transmit sound to your baby’s monitor as well as vice versa. This may enable you to comfort your baby if you are unable to get to their room immediately.
- Dual Channels - This reduces interference from other devices and helps to filter out background noise so that you can just concentrate on the baby.
- Warning Indicators - These let you know that your monitor is working properly. They help you know when to change the batteries or power outlet, and whether or not you are close enough to the other monitor to get a good transmission by beeping when you have low power or are out of range.
- Night Light - Some monitors come with a gentle night light on your baby’s monitor unit, providing a comforting glow.
- Temperature Sensor - This helps you to ensure your baby is not going to overheat by telling you the temperature in the baby’s room.
- Sensor Pad - Monitors with a sensor pad can alert you if your baby stops moving or breathing. The pad goes under the mattress.
- Optional Power Source - Some monitors allow you a choice of batteries or mains power.
Video Monitors
Video monitors allow you to both hear and see your baby, unlike straightforward audio monitors. The transmitter is fitted with a camera and microphone and is positioned near the baby’s bed, while the receiver has a screen on which the picture from the camera is displayed. Many video monitors are fitted with infra-red technology to allow you to see your baby in the dark. Most of these monitors are designed to be set up on a surface near the baby, but some can be wall-mounted and the most advanced ones can be remotely controlled, allowing you to rotate the camera if your baby moves. Nearly all monitors of this kind come with cables to connect the image to the TV. As with audio monitors, there are some features that can make video monitors distinctive.
- Transmission Range - The larger the transmission range, the more freedom you have around your house when your baby is sleeping. A good monitor should transmit through your whole home and garden.
- Receiver Size - The receiver needs to be just the right size that you can see your baby clearly but still carry the monitor around with you in one hand.
- Screen Size - A bigger screen means you can see your baby more clearly.
- Additional Cameras and Receivers - With some models it is possible to buy more than one camera and receiver.
- Record Function - Some monitors allow you to record the feed from the camera so that you can play it back.
- Talkback Facility - As with audio monitors, some video monitors allow you to transmit sound to your baby’s unit.
- Warning Indicators - To let you know if you have low power or are out of transmission range.
- Optional Power Source - This gives you a choice between batteries or mains power.
Caring for your newborn:
- Caring for your newborn
- What are dummies?
- Newborns and movement
- Burping your baby
- Playing with your newborn
- Caring for newborns with and without circumcision
- Baby hair loss
- Baby Massage
- Newborn Clothing: Dressing and body temperature
- Newborn and home safety
- Newborn: When others want to hold or touch
- Babies and pets
- Baby constipation
- Baby clothes
- What should my first aid kit contain?
- Taking a baby’s temperature
- Baby medicine
- Coping with your newborn
- Newborn: When to call a doctor?
- Baby hygiene
- Trimming baby nails
- Caring for babies’ bottoms
- Baby poo
- How to care for your newborn’s body
- Newborns and nappies
- Caring for your Baby’s Clothes
- Baby Milestones
- Baby first aid
- Common baby emergencies
- How to help a choking baby
- Baby vomiting
- Keeping your baby safe
- Baby Monitors
- Baby swimming
Mother, Baby and Beyond
- Pregnancy & Birth Guide
- Mother, Baby and Beyond
- Baby calendar
- Newborn Baby’s Check-ups and Tests
- Newborn Babies’ Appearance
- Bonding with Your Baby
- A Guide to Sleeping for Mother and Baby
- Coping with a Crying Baby
- Sibling Bonding
- The Father’s Role
- Postnatal Health
- Baby Predicaments
- Sex after Childbirth
- Weaning and Moving onto Solid Foods
- Travelling with a Newborn Baby
- Losing Baby Weight
- Baby Health Concerns
- Breastfeeding
- Caring for your child
- Looking after Twins
- Baby vaccinations
- Caring for your newborn
- Mother and Baby Myths
- Mother and baby development FAQ
Related Guides
- Pregnancy & Birth Guide
- Guide to Getting Pregnant
- Guide to Pregnancy
- Guide to Giving Birth
- Guide to Pregnancy Tests
- Mother, Baby & Beyond Guide
- Guide to Pain Relief in Labour
- Guide to pregnancy scans
- Pregnancy calendar guide
- Baby calendar guide
- Child development calendar guide
- Guide to miscarriage
- Guide to breastfeeding
- Guide to sleeping for mother & baby
- Guide to birth defects
- Guide to Post Natal depression