Beeing one of the sleep-deprived parents, we had no difficulties to put together our best baby monitors.
Your questions answered (10)
How safe are baby monitors?
The opinions are very divided in this matter, but one thing is sure: a baby monitor can offer for the parents, grandparents or nannies an extra hand, also an extra pair of eyes and ears when it comes to track sleep movements, heart rate, breathing patterns and even skin temperature.
It is a well-known concern that wireless monitors present a risk of continuous microwave radiation in your child’s room as other electronic devices in your household, therefore you need to choose wisely: a baby monitor with low frequency or an analog monitor or a wired one. You need to keep the recommended distance from your baby’s crib when installing the device, you can always switch off the device when you do not use it, or minimize the exposure at night.
How does Wi-Fi baby monitor work?
Wi-Fi baby monitors work in the most proper way nowadays, assuring you of the most secure connection. These monitors can be used with smartphones (iOS or Android phones), in this case, all you need to do is to install the required application. Nevertheless, there are monitors which are accessible also via computer, tablet. This makes it possible the instant video and audio monitoring of the baby. Many monitors include even a motion and sound detector that will alert you based on the sensitivity setting’s level.
How much does a baby heartbeat monitor cost?
The prices of a baby monitor can vary from £20 up to more than £200, it depends on the included features, type of monitor. The higher the price the more features are included.
How long do you need a baby monitor?
Your baby needs constant attention, therefore you can use a baby monitor as long as you feel the need for it, whether it is for 6 months or for 2 years
Baby movements should be monitored from the very beginning of your pregnancy so that you can get used with your baby’s movement patterns. Subsequently, you will monitor the movements after birth too, with help of the best monitor. Therefore, you can use a monitor from the very first moment of your baby’s life.
Since you want the best for your baby, you need to consider stopping in time monitoring your baby’s movement, so that you and your baby can have a natural sleeping schedule. Most of the people wait until their infants are a half year old and then they only use the monitor in special cases. It is important that you do not wake up your child at every little noise, but always trust your guts and feel free to use it as long as you consider it helps you with your baby’s valuable assurance.
How to prevent baby monitor from hacking?
The best method to prevent a baby monitor from being hacked is to change the default password, update the baby monitor’s firmware (this one can be checked on the manufacturer’s website, the software built into the camera’s hardware that runs everything).
Do not stream your security camera online, and just view it on your Wi-Fi network, use a firewall on your home network.
If you do not need the Internet option for your monitor, then do not activate this feature.
What kind of baby monitor to buy?
There is a wide range of baby monitors including several types and features. The two basic types are audio and video/audio.
The best audio monitors are the ones that have lights and sound as well, the louder the sound is in your toddler’s room, the more lights go on.
The analogue monitors send signals from the monitor to the receiver in a straight shot.
Digital monitors encode the signal between the monitor and the receiver.
Video/audio monitors have a tabletop or a wall-mounted camera that transmits images to a video monitor.
Wireless network monitors use your existing wireless network so that you can use your computer or other devices as the receiver.
Where to put baby monitor?
You need to consider first your baby’s safety and the best angle of the baby when installing the device.
In case you use a static monitor, you can place it on the crib, but away from your baby’s head and make sure it sits firm, avoid the hanging wires so that your child cannot reach them. As soon as your baby can get up in the bed, you need to remove the monitor immediately from there.
You can place it on the wall, but not above the baby’s crib.
You can also place it on the baby’s table or changing station.
Always make sure that if there are cords those are not within baby’s reach, also that the baby cannot knock the camera out with her arms or legs.
Things to consider when buying a baby monitor?
A baby monitor is the second most important investment after the crib, so you definitely need to consider which one you chose for your baby’s safety and health. Think about the size of your house, your daily routine, and look for models with features that best fit your requirements.
You should consider quite a lot of factors when buying a baby monitor, therefore here you can see a list that can ease your choice:
- Included monitor
- Frequency band
- Range, out-of-range indicator (how far the camera’s signal extends, and make sure it can reach every area of your home)
- Camera (resolution that the camera records in, the width of the view it can offer of your child’s room)
- Audio (playing lullabies, push-to-talk feature for soothing your baby remotely)
- Battery life
- Night vision
- Handheld audio/video parent unit
- Special features (built-in features such as pan and zoom, motion and sound detection, temperature and humidity sensors, and sleep timers)
- Ease of setup and installation (the quality of the application, whether an account needs to be created and if there are any extra subscription fees necessary)
- Design (parents should take care to keep dangling cords and wires away from their children’s reach when setting up a monitor)
- SAR value (all parents need to be careful not to expose their infants to high levels of radiation from devices)
- Sound and lights, volume control
- Connectivity
Why do you need a baby monitor?
The answer is as simple as that: for your baby’s safety and for your own calm. A baby monitor is an elementary item in your daily routine; it is one of the best inventions when it comes to your infant’s well-being. We all should be thankful that we could access this easily nowadays in comparison with our parents or grandparents’ possibilities back in the days.
What to do about the static noise of a baby monitor?
The static noise might be caused by different reasons. The monitor can interfere with other electronic devices. In these cases, you should factor in your Wi-Fi phone, alter the channel, switch on the infant monitor first, take into account purchasing a digital monitor, keep at a secure distance from other wireless home equipment, and use a Wi-Fi cell phone that makes use of the 900MHz, 1.9MHz or 5.8GHz band. In addition, you need to check the activation settings; you can always adjust how sensitive your device should be when following a baby’s voice or movements.