Choosing a Baby Monitor
by,
© 2006 BabyMonitorCenter.com. All rights reserved.
There are many considerations to take into account when choosing a baby monitor.
How closely do you need to monitor your baby and which type of monitor best suits your particular needs?
An audio only baby monitor
An audio/visual baby monitor
An audio baby monitor with motion sensor
A respiratory (sleep apnea) baby monitor
The typical audio only baby monitor is the most common and generally least expensive type of baby monitor on the market. Many of them will detect even the slightest sound from the nursery and even allow you to hear your baby's breathing.
An audio/visual baby monitor will not only transmit sound from the nursery but also includes a camera to provide a visual display from your nursery for that added peace of mind that might otherwise only come from being right next to your precious little one. This type of baby monitor is considerably more expensive and less portable than than the audio only variety.
Both the motion sensor and respiratory baby monitor have a unit that is placed under the baby's crib mattress which detects even the slightest movement from you baby and an alarm sounds if absolutely no movement or breathing is detected from the baby for more than twenty seconds. This type of baby monitor may be ideal for parents of preemies or for those who have reason to be particularly concerned about SIDS. Improper placement or use of this type of baby monitor with older babies who are prone to roll off of the sensor can produce false alarms which can be frightening.
Another important consideration is whether or not the baby monitor will interfere with your other wireless devices such as cordless phones and wireless routers. You should certainly choose a baby monitor which operates on a different frequency than your cordless phone. You may also need to take into account the possibility of interference from other baby monitors and telephones in your neighborhood. While no baby monitor may be completely immune to static, you should consider how big of an issue this is for you.
A few other features to consider when choosing a baby monitor include how much range the unit will provide (do you need a model that you can take down the street with you, out into a large backyard or down a long driveway to the mailbox?) Does the unit have a battery option which will allow you to use it even during prolonged power outages? Does it have a light indicator? (Will you want to monitor your baby with the audio turned down during important phone calls or when while you're watching a movie?)
Lastly, you should find out about the return policy of the store or website where you intend to purchase your baby monitor. Keep in mind that what works perfectly for one family may not prove to be the ideal product for yours. Remember to save the packaging and receipt to facilitate your return of the product should it be necessary.
How closely do you need to monitor your baby and which type of monitor best suits your particular needs?
An audio only baby monitor
An audio/visual baby monitor
An audio baby monitor with motion sensor
A respiratory (sleep apnea) baby monitor
The typical audio only baby monitor is the most common and generally least expensive type of baby monitor on the market. Many of them will detect even the slightest sound from the nursery and even allow you to hear your baby's breathing.
An audio/visual baby monitor will not only transmit sound from the nursery but also includes a camera to provide a visual display from your nursery for that added peace of mind that might otherwise only come from being right next to your precious little one. This type of baby monitor is considerably more expensive and less portable than than the audio only variety.
Both the motion sensor and respiratory baby monitor have a unit that is placed under the baby's crib mattress which detects even the slightest movement from you baby and an alarm sounds if absolutely no movement or breathing is detected from the baby for more than twenty seconds. This type of baby monitor may be ideal for parents of preemies or for those who have reason to be particularly concerned about SIDS. Improper placement or use of this type of baby monitor with older babies who are prone to roll off of the sensor can produce false alarms which can be frightening.
Another important consideration is whether or not the baby monitor will interfere with your other wireless devices such as cordless phones and wireless routers. You should certainly choose a baby monitor which operates on a different frequency than your cordless phone. You may also need to take into account the possibility of interference from other baby monitors and telephones in your neighborhood. While no baby monitor may be completely immune to static, you should consider how big of an issue this is for you.
A few other features to consider when choosing a baby monitor include how much range the unit will provide (do you need a model that you can take down the street with you, out into a large backyard or down a long driveway to the mailbox?) Does the unit have a battery option which will allow you to use it even during prolonged power outages? Does it have a light indicator? (Will you want to monitor your baby with the audio turned down during important phone calls or when while you're watching a movie?)
Lastly, you should find out about the return policy of the store or website where you intend to purchase your baby monitor. Keep in mind that what works perfectly for one family may not prove to be the ideal product for yours. Remember to save the packaging and receipt to facilitate your return of the product should it be necessary.
