Top Ten Site Guide to Baby Monitors
THERE ARE THREE MAIN TYPES OF BABY MONITOR.
AUDIO BABY MONITORS
Audio baby monitors have been around for quite some time now.
Audio baby monitors consist of a microphone in the baby's room, and a receiver which the parent keeps with them.
Audio monitors allow you to hear what is going on in the baby's room - some models have night lights and room-thermometers built in.
If you do plump for an audio baby monitor, make sure it has a decent range, a choice of channels - and a privacy feature.
If it doesn't have enough range - it may not work in certain parts of your home - or if you are in the garden etc.
A choice of channels is important - especially if you live in a built-up area, where other devices could interfere with your signal.
You also need a selection of channels in case people living nearby also have baby monitors.
If you use the same channel as your neighbours, you could be listening to the wrong baby!
A privacy feature ensures that your neighbours etc cannot (accidentally or intentionally) tune in and hear what is happening in your house!
Basic audio baby monitors are the least expensive monitors on the market.
Prices start from under £20.00 - but the cheaper models are very limited in range, privacy and sound quality.
Some of the latest models use blue-tooth technology and/or telephone lines - and can cost over £200.00.
We feel that most of these models are over-priced.
See our baby monitor reviews below for our "best audio baby monitor" suggestions.
VIDEO BABY MONITORS
Most parents feel better if they can see as well as hear what is happening where their baby is sleeping.
Video monitors are very affordable - and they can provide clear pictures in almost total darkness.
Most video baby monitors have audio-monitoring too - plus all of the best features of the best audio monitors.
Much of our advice about choosing an audio monitor also applies to choosing a video monitor - ie range, channels, and privacy features.
The size of the screen is also quite important - bigger is better.
But most of the good quality models can be used with your own TV or computer screen.
A remote control night light is a good idea - you can use it get a clearer picture of your baby in a dark room.
Many video monitors have "night vision" usually infra-red - but the picture is often not very clear - so a remote control night light helps!
Expect to pay at least £80 for a decent model.
BREATHING, HEARTBEAT & MOVEMENT BABY MONITORS
Breathing, heartbeat, and movement monitors are designed to set off an alarm if your baby stops moving.
Their sensors can detect the slightest movement - heartbeat, breathing etc - and if they detect nothing - they signal for help.
These types or monitors are used in infant care units and hospitals.
Some child care experts recommend them to all parents of newborn babies - but many doctors are opposed to their use in domestic homes.
The problem with many doctors is - they seem to think that everybody without a medical degree is an idiot!
Our view is that, properly used, these monitors can be genuine lifesavers - and you don't need a medical degree to use them.
It should be understood, however, that these monitors are "helpers" and no parent should ever trust any monitor completely.
Some of these monitors have audio monitoring included - but none of them has video-monitoring.
However, the prices of Breathing & Movement Monitors are surprisingly low,
so parents who buy this kind of monitor often buy a video monitor too - and we think that's a good idea.
AUDIO BABY MONITORS
Audio baby monitors have been around for quite some time now.
Audio baby monitors consist of a microphone in the baby's room, and a receiver which the parent keeps with them.
Audio monitors allow you to hear what is going on in the baby's room - some models have night lights and room-thermometers built in.
If you do plump for an audio baby monitor, make sure it has a decent range, a choice of channels - and a privacy feature.
If it doesn't have enough range - it may not work in certain parts of your home - or if you are in the garden etc.
A choice of channels is important - especially if you live in a built-up area, where other devices could interfere with your signal.
You also need a selection of channels in case people living nearby also have baby monitors.
If you use the same channel as your neighbours, you could be listening to the wrong baby!
A privacy feature ensures that your neighbours etc cannot (accidentally or intentionally) tune in and hear what is happening in your house!
Basic audio baby monitors are the least expensive monitors on the market.
Prices start from under £20.00 - but the cheaper models are very limited in range, privacy and sound quality.
Some of the latest models use blue-tooth technology and/or telephone lines - and can cost over £200.00.
We feel that most of these models are over-priced.
See our baby monitor reviews below for our "best audio baby monitor" suggestions.
VIDEO BABY MONITORS
Most parents feel better if they can see as well as hear what is happening where their baby is sleeping.
Video monitors are very affordable - and they can provide clear pictures in almost total darkness.
Most video baby monitors have audio-monitoring too - plus all of the best features of the best audio monitors.
Much of our advice about choosing an audio monitor also applies to choosing a video monitor - ie range, channels, and privacy features.
The size of the screen is also quite important - bigger is better.
But most of the good quality models can be used with your own TV or computer screen.
A remote control night light is a good idea - you can use it get a clearer picture of your baby in a dark room.
Many video monitors have "night vision" usually infra-red - but the picture is often not very clear - so a remote control night light helps!
Expect to pay at least £80 for a decent model.
BREATHING, HEARTBEAT & MOVEMENT BABY MONITORS
Breathing, heartbeat, and movement monitors are designed to set off an alarm if your baby stops moving.
Their sensors can detect the slightest movement - heartbeat, breathing etc - and if they detect nothing - they signal for help.
These types or monitors are used in infant care units and hospitals.
Some child care experts recommend them to all parents of newborn babies - but many doctors are opposed to their use in domestic homes.
The problem with many doctors is - they seem to think that everybody without a medical degree is an idiot!
Our view is that, properly used, these monitors can be genuine lifesavers - and you don't need a medical degree to use them.
It should be understood, however, that these monitors are "helpers" and no parent should ever trust any monitor completely.
Some of these monitors have audio monitoring included - but none of them has video-monitoring.
However, the prices of Breathing & Movement Monitors are surprisingly low,
so parents who buy this kind of monitor often buy a video monitor too - and we think that's a good idea.
Please be advised - no monitor can protect your baby from Cot Death (SIDS) risk factors, and no monitor can revive your baby if he or she stops breathing.
In addition to monitoring your baby - you need to know how to reduce cot-death risk factors - and what to do if the worst should happen.
In our view, all parents should have knowledge of emergency CPR techniques.
Medical assistance could take some time to arrive. CPR could save your baby's life.
We hope with all our hearts that you will never need it - but please take time to visit our Infant CPR Guide
A few simple techniques - which any parent can learn - could give your baby a fighting chance.
In addition to monitoring your baby - you need to know how to reduce cot-death risk factors - and what to do if the worst should happen.
In our view, all parents should have knowledge of emergency CPR techniques.
Medical assistance could take some time to arrive. CPR could save your baby's life.
We hope with all our hearts that you will never need it - but please take time to visit our Infant CPR Guide
A few simple techniques - which any parent can learn - could give your baby a fighting chance.
Make no mistake - the best possible monitor for your baby is - you!
But it's impossible to stand guard over your baby every second of every day and every night.
A good quality baby monitor can assist you in watching over your baby - like extra eyes and ears.
A baby monitor can allow you to get on with other things - without losing contact with your baby.
We sincerely believe that a baby monitor is a must have for all parents of young babies.
Baby monitors - even the very best ones - are not expensive, and although they should never be
thought of as a substitute for vigilant parenting - they can make your life a whole lot less stressful.
But it's impossible to stand guard over your baby every second of every day and every night.
A good quality baby monitor can assist you in watching over your baby - like extra eyes and ears.
A baby monitor can allow you to get on with other things - without losing contact with your baby.
We sincerely believe that a baby monitor is a must have for all parents of young babies.
Baby monitors - even the very best ones - are not expensive, and although they should never be
thought of as a substitute for vigilant parenting - they can make your life a whole lot less stressful.
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