A baby monitor is a very helpful device for today’s parents. These devices allow you to keep an eye on your child’s safety even when you’re doing other things around the house. It not only frees up a lot of time, it also keeps your mind at rest knowing that your baby is safe even when you’re not right there. Yet with the various styles of monitors available these days, it can get confusing and difficult to decide which is the best baby monitor for your needs.
Knowing the various kinds of monitors and what to look for will help you in making a decision. In choosing the best baby monitor for your situation, you have three general choices: audio, video and sensory.
Audio monitors pick up sound and thereby permit you to hear your child’s noises such as crying. This variety is available in both analog and digital styles. The analog devices are the most affordable while still being perfectly reliable. They operate through radio frequencies, using FM signals to transmit sound. The major drawback of this style is the tendency for receivers in nearby homes to pick up the signal that your monitor is transmitting. This results in less privacy and reliability.
Digital baby monitors may cost a bit more but they provide greater privacy and usually have a wider reception range than analog monitors. Another benefit is that digital models don’t produce as much static and they offer better sound quality so you can make out your baby’s noises more clearly.
Video baby monitors let you see and hear your baby by using a combination of sound and video, sort of like mini TVs. They utilize a camera that is mounted on the crib, a table or a wall which transmits images onto an LCD display that the parent has with them. They are typically portable and have multiple cameras. Some even feature night vision capabilities.
Sensory monitors pick up even minor movements of your baby, even while asleep. It is placed under the crib mattress and alerts you when your baby hasn’t moved in 20 seconds. Some models have an audio monitor feature in the portable parent’s unit that sends an alarm.
Always keep in mind when choosing the best baby monitor for your situation that you must think about which model is best suited to the needs of both you and your baby. The size of your house and the range of your device are important factors to keep in mind. Basic models will be adequate for smaller homes, but you might need a more advanced system for a larger home.
Your lifestyle and the kind of work that you do around the house is another important consideration, particularly if your tasks require you to be further away from your baby’s room. You will need a monitor that covers the range, and it will need to be a portable one.
Keep in mind that regardless of your preference for an audio, video or sensory monitor, the best baby monitor should have sound and image clarity of the highest quality in order for you to monitor your child effectively. Whichever model you opt for, the most important considerations are that your choice must fit your needs and your budget, and provide you with the best means of watching out for your baby’s safety.