When Should I Get a Baby Monitor?
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Every new parent has countless questions about bringing a new bundle of joy into this world. Many questions can be answered by reading baby books, taking birthing classes, or calling grandma. However, there are some questions new parents might have that can only be answered by considering what’s best for you and your circumstances, such as when you should get a baby monitor.
You can start using a baby monitor from birth up until the age of four, as recommended by most experts. In most cases, parents will want their newborns to sleep in the same room with them for the first six months of their life, so they might not need to get a baby monitor just yet.
In this article, we’ll look at the advantages of getting a baby monitor and what it means for you and your baby. So, if you’re a new parent and wondering whether a baby monitor is essential, read on!
What Is a Baby Monitor?
Baby monitors aren’t exactly a new concept. Eugene F. McDonald made the first model in 1937.
Technology has developed immensely over the last eighty years, and so have baby monitor designs. Some brands of monitors can track sleep movement, the room’s temperature, and even heart rate. Some monitors have voice assistants, sleep aids, and you can even view your baby in night vision.
A baby monitor is a radio system much like a walkie-talkie that allows any parent to monitor their child’s actions or movements remotely. Baby monitors can be either audio or visual. Visual monitors are also known as baby cams but use the same notion as audio monitors.
Baby monitors are equipped with a microphone and sometimes a screen and placed near the baby to view or listen to your little one’s activities. Monitors allow you the freedom of roaming the house without the anxiety of not knowing what your baby is up to.
What Are the Advantages of Using a Baby Monitor?
The advantages of using a baby monitor include better sleep, less anxiety, and more freedom for you. It can be exhausting for a new parent, but with a baby monitor, you can sleep more soundly knowing your kid is safe. It can also give you the option to check on your baby without waking them.
Not only will using a baby monitor grant you the privilege of more sleep, but some devices will record video so you can keep any precious moments you may have missed while out of the room.
Monitors can be an extra ear or eye that might catch anything suspicious or out of the ordinary. You can’t always be right by your baby’s side, but a baby monitor can and may provide you with added peace of mind, which is always priceless.
Some devices also have alarms built-in to make a sound to alert you when your baby might be at risk or in some form of danger. Knowing this might ease your worries and provide you with a sense of security while still giving your child room to grow and explore.
Moreover, most newer baby monitoring devices have a two-way speaking system. Not only can you hear your baby, but your baby can also hear you. It may be comforting to know you can communicate with your child while working or out doing errands.
Do I Need a Baby Monitor?
There are many reasons why a new parent would decide to use a baby monitor in their home. However, there are some situations where a baby monitor isn’t necessarily needed.
You need a baby monitor if your baby is moving into their own room. However, you may not need one if you live in a small apartment, your baby is close to you most of the time, or if you have extra help at home, such as a nanny or grandparent. The price is also a factor when deciding on getting one.
Baby monitors can range anywhere from £10 to £250, depending on what brand you choose. So, you also have to keep the cost in mind when deciding if getting one is right for you. Or, if you already have a security system set up in your home, you may just want to opt out of spending extra income on a baby monitor.
You also might want a baby monitor if you want to check on your baby from time to time without intruding on their sleeping schedule. Certain monitors can also let you share the device app with family or friends who may live far away, so they won’t miss out on your baby’s growth.
As a new parent, you can assess your needs and decide for yourself if investing in a baby monitor, audio, or video is right for you and your family.
How Soon Can You Use a Baby Monitor?
Most parents will either co-sleep with their babies or share their bedroom until their little one is ready to move into their bedroom.
You can use a baby monitor as soon as you get your infant home from the hospital if you want. However, most parents will choose to wait until their baby is six months or older, as this is the age experts recommend babies should be in their own room.
However, you should remove a baby monitor after a certain age. Katie DiMonico, a nurse and sleep consultant, states that the recommended time to stop using a baby monitor is when your child is around the age of four years old.
Once your bundle of joy starts to become more aware of their surroundings, they may realize that someone is observing them, and that might make them uncomfortable or eventually affect their understanding of privacy. Privacy is an important aspect to consider as your toddler gets older and begins to learn about the world around them.
New parents should also be aware that relying too heavily on baby monitors may increase hovering and provide a false sense of security. Safety is always important; however, it doesn’t replace parental supervision completely.
When Should I Get a Baby Monitor?
Picking the right time to switch from a bassinet to a crib in a new bedroom can feel like an overwhelming change. Not just for you, but your baby as well. After all, babies can sometimes sense the stress of their parents, which in turn can cause them to be fussy. So, while change is difficult, you can make this move a lot easier with the right process and equipment.
You should get a baby monitor when you feel the time is right and if you feel you need one. Baby monitors can ease some of the stress that comes with being a new parent. But ultimately, when you should get and start using one depends on your preference and circumstance.
Parenting can be difficult at times, and making the right choices for your family can seem daunting. But always remember that you as the parent have freedom of choice. You should discuss with your partner and decide what’s right for your bundle of joy and the rest of the family.
Being a parent can be stressful; however, deciding which baby monitor is the right one for you doesn’t have to be. The Nanit Plus Complete Monitoring System (available on Amazon.co.uk) may be the best setup for you.
However, if you’re searching for a more reasonably priced baby monitor that still has the same features, you may want to check out the Kasa Smart Baby Monitor (available on Amazon.co.uk). It may not have all the bells and whistles, but it has night vision and works with Alexa and Google Home.