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Recommended Baby Monitors

Baby Monitor Buying Guide

We have provided this basic baby monitor buying guide for parents to help them in choosing one with the functions and features they will find useful in keeping an eye on their baby.

What is a baby monitor?

A baby monitor is a radio system used to monitor a baby's activities while being out of immediate range of them. The system comprises of a transmitter and receiver; the transmitter is placed near the baby and the parent or guardian keeps the receiver, which is equipped with a microphone, within their proximity to monitor the infant.

While some baby monitors only allow one-way communication, many are bi-drectional which means that not only can the parent or guardian listen in on the baby but they can also be used to speak to them which can comfort them when they are alone in their cot.

Baby monitor uses

A baby monitor is primarily used to ensure that a baby is at ease and comfortable being alone in their cot. As soon as they cry, the parent or guardian is alerted immediately, allowing them to attend to their needs, whether it be to feed them or change their nappies. They can also be used to alert the parent whenever the baby awakes, allowing them to get on with other things without constantly having to be within proximity of the baby.

Many parents use baby monitors to keep check on them as they are worried about cot death. However, they should only be used for this purpose when under supervision of a paediatrician
or doctor.

Baby monitor range

The range at which baby monitors can be used varies for each one. The range can vary between 100 metres to 300 metres; some can be even greater. Range can also differ depending on whether they are used indoors or outdoors; generally, they have a greater range when used outdoors as walls, doors etc. do not interfere with reception. When buying a baby monitor, it is therefore important to consider whether it will be used outdoors as well as indoors to ensure that you can monitor the baby wherever you are in the house, whether it be in the kitchen or garden for example.

Number of parent receiver units

Some baby monitor packages include more than one parent unit. Two units can be included, one for each parent, but 3 or more can purchased. This is ideal if both parents want to keep a close check on the baby at all times. The receiver units can also be kept in different rooms where they spend the most time so they don't have to rely on carrying the unit with them wherever they go.

DECT technology

DECT stands for Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications and basically means that the parent receiver unit and baby transmitter will use a secure and private connection using data encryption to communicate with each other so that there is no interference from other devices such as other baby monitors and cordless phones. This means that the baby will only hear your voice and only you will be listening to your baby.

Sound sensors

Many baby monitors allow you adjust the sound sensitivity on the baby transmitter unit. This is a great function as it means it is possible to listen to your baby breathe which many parents will find comforting as they will know the baby is well and not in any discomfort.

Temperature sensors

Setting the right temperature of the room where the baby is kept is important in ensuring that they are kept comfortable. A temperature sensor can be set to the user's preference that will detect whether the baby's room is too hot or too cold and will alert the parent to adjust the climate if required.

Movement sensors

Babies are usually very active while they are awake, playing with cot toys or just generally being restless. It can therefore be worrying if a baby appears to be motionless at times of the day when they are normally found to be active.

Baby monitors with motion sensors can put parents' mind at ease, detecting when a baby has been motionless for a certain length of time and alerting them with a sound so they can check on them. A very useful function for detecting abnormal baby behaviour.

Playing music

Not only can a baby monitor be used to keep an eye on them but some transmitters can play music to the baby to keep them entertained. Some allow you to connect music players, such as portable MP3 players, to the baby monitor so you can choose what type of music you play to the baby.

Night lights

Many babies can be afraid of the dark, especially when alone, so a night light is a great feature to have on a baby monitor. Unlike using a room light, which will be too bright and likely to keep the baby awake a night, a night light will be bright enough to keep feel comfortable but dull enough to ease them gently to sleep.

Video baby monitors

The use of video technology will enable parents to see exactly what their baby is doing when they are out of the room.

The baby unit will have a built-in video camera which can either send images back to the parent unit which will have an LCD screen or can be fed into a TV. The choice of which method is used will depend on the needs of the parent or guardian. If a parent is constantly mobile around the house, then a portable LCD screen is recommended; if they are likely to stay in one room then the TV option is preferred as they will quickly see any abnormal behaviour occurring on a larger screen.

Powering the baby monitor

Depending on which baby monitor that is purchased, the baby unit can usually either be powered by mains adapter or batteries. Those that can be operated by batteries mean that is does not have to fixed in a certain place that requires a wall socket so can be placed close to the baby. However, if the baby monitor is to be used for most of the day then one which uses a mains adapter is recommended as batteries can be an expensive running cost.

The parent unit can also be powered using both methods but will more often than not use batteries as they are required to be mobile and taken by the parent wherever they are in the house. Many baby monitors will include rechargeable batteries and some may include a stand for the unit that will automatically recharge the unit whenever it is placed on it, saving time and money on replacing batteries.