How To Choose A Baby Monitor

By Tom Hacket

With hundreds of different models, it’s hard to choose the right one. Factors such as your location and lifestyle will influence your decision. Do you need audio/video or audio only? 40 MHZ or 90 MHZ? Read on to find out.

The baby monitor is a wonderful invention that allows you to listen for your baby’s cries or movements without actually going into their room. Baby monitors are very useful when your baby wakes up in the middle of the night. You can hear his cries when he needs feeding or changing. Baby monitors are also very helpful during the day when your baby is napping. They give you the freedom to go on the opposite end of the house, hang out laundry, etc.

Usually, a baby monitor is used by placing the transmitter close to your babies crib so it picks up his sounds. The receiver is then placed in the area that you will be in, such as next to your bed. Many brands of baby monitors are able to run off of batteries, this way they are portable and can be carried on your belt. Some models even have night vision cameras and lcd monitors so you can see your baby. This gives you added comfort knowing exactly how your baby is doing.

Movement sensors are another option. These work with a pad that is placed under your baby while they sleep. If no movement is detected, an alarm sounds. Some monitors even allow you to monitor your baby’s temperature while they sleep.

A monitor with more than one receiver can be handy as well. This way, one unit can be stationary and the other portable. The monitors can then be switched when the portable’s battery get low.

Sometimes you can’t hear your baby’s cries or movements due to noise or other children. In this case a monitor wit a sound activated light is handy. You know immediately when your child is moving because the monitor will light up.

There are very few drawbacks to baby monitors. Sometimes, the signal of other baby monitors can be picked up if they are in close enough range. This also works the other way around, so always be aware of conversations when your monitor is on if your concerned about privacy. Sometimes cordless phones can interfere with the reception on your monitor as well

Monitors with low battery indicators are also handy. If you use the batteries most often this is a good choice. When the low-battery light comes on it gives you plenty of time to replace then before they die completely.

When trying to decide on what bandwidth is best for you, first consider where you live. If you live in the country a wider bandwidth (up to 90MHZ) is great for better clarity. If you live in the city where there is a lot of interference such as cell phones, other baby monitors, portable phones, or cement walls, a lower bandwidth (40MHZ) may be a better option.

Regardless of what monitor you choose remember to always follow the manufactures instructions. Never put a baby monitor directly in your baby’s crib or where your baby can reach it. The cord can get wrapped around their neck. Hopefully, this great invention will make parenting just a little bit easier. Good luck!