Baby monitors can be an incredibly powerful tool for keeping track of your baby, whether you are worried about their health and safety or just want to hear them waking up in the morning. With different types of monitors for babies ranging from 0 to 12 months old, deciding what to buy can be a bit overwhelming, but all of them do roughly the same thing.
However, many parents need to find out if they even really need baby monitors or what kind of value it would add over checking on their children themselves. This quick guide breaks down the types of monitors and how they work, so you can decide if they are worth the investment – and, if so, which one will work best for you and your baby.
1) Audio-visual Monitors
These are just like traditional baby monitors, with speakers, a screen, and a microphone to listen to your baby. Audio-visual monitors tend to be more practical than others (depending on the brand) and typically plug directly into your existing home electrical system. These can be incredibly versatile and a great way to keep track of your child, but they also cost more than an audio-only option.
2) Audio Monitors
These are the standard type of baby monitors on the market. They usually have a small speaker, either connected to a smartphone app or set up to use a Wi-Fi connection to your home network. They are great for parents who want a simple, unobtrusive way to see if their baby is crying, but they can be lacking in terms of features.
3) Wi-Fi Monitors
These are increasingly popular and have been growing in number since they first hit the market. They can either be wired to an existing home electrical system or plugged directly into the wall. Designed to work with Wi-Fi devices, they can be connected to a huge range of existing tools and systems as needed. Wi-Fi monitors often have multiple camera capabilities, along with more added features as a whole.
4) Breathing Monitors
Breathing monitors are usually used within hospitals or other medical spaces and are designed to sound an alarm if the baby stops breathing. These are not usually practical for home use but can be important if you know your baby has some kind of breathing issue.
5) Movement Monitors
If your baby is sleeping in a different room from you, you will need a monitoring system that will let you know if they are crying or moving. Movement monitors pick up movement from within a certain range, optionally sounding an alarm if the baby stops moving for too long. This can be important for any baby that normally moves a lot in their sleep, giving you a quick warning if they suddenly stop.All baby monitors can be helpful, but choosing the right one for your situation can be challenging. You need to think about how your baby behaves, whether or not you want to monitor them actively or passively, and how much you are actually willing to spend on a baby monitor unit to protect your child.
