Baby monitors may seem like common practice when putting your child to sleep. They can help let you know when your child wakes up and potentially offer other benefits as well as giving you some peace of mind. But how useful are they at keeping your child safe? If you’re wondering whether to purchase a baby monitor, keep reading to find out if they are worth the investment.
Types of baby monitors
There are many different types of baby monitor available, and the type you choose can impact how safe they keep your child. Let’s have a look at the different types out there.
Audio
Just as it sounds, an audio baby monitor lets you hear the baby’s audio on a device like a walkie-talkie.
Video
Some baby monitors show a video of the baby as they sleep. You can set up the camera in the baby’s room and get a video sent to an app on your phone.
Movement
Some baby monitors can be placed under the baby’s mattress or bedding to detect any moment. The alarm sounds if there hasn’t been any movement detected in a certain amount of time.
Heartbeat and breathing
These advanced baby monitors attach to the baby’s chest to monitor heart rate and breathing patterns. An alarm goes off if this falls outside of the normal range.
Monitors of hearing-impaired parents
For parents with hearing impairments, there are specific monitors that will light up or send signals when the baby makes any noise or wakes up. These devices are useful for those parents who wouldn’t be able to hear their baby otherwise.
Are baby monitors useful or not?
Baby monitors are great if you can’t hear your child in the other room or while you are downstairs, for example. They will let you know if your child wakes up or if they cry out for you. They give you peace of mind and an extra sense of security that your child is ok when you are not in the room. Sometimes doctors recommend baby monitors for premature babies or for those who have breathing difficulties. For babies with a slow heart rate or with a medical condition, they can be an important device for monitoring this. Watching the child yourself is no doubt the best way to keep your child safe while they sleep.
However, it’s unrealistic to assume you can watch them sleeping all the time. Any parent will tell you of the dozens of other tasks they need to complete, like cleaning the house or cooking dinner. A baby monitor allows parents to get on with chores around the house while they have one eye on the baby. However, some argue that a baby monitor creates a false sense of security because it’s no replacement for watching the baby yourself. Some argue that this false sense of security may result in unsafe practices such as leaving the baby alone in the house, which should never happen.
A baby monitor can be a great way to have an extra eye on your baby while you are elsewhere in the house. It allows you to hear your baby when they wake up or cry if you can’t hear them on your own. They are particularly useful if your baby suffers from breathing difficulties or has a heart condition that puts them more at risk when they sleep. As long as you don’t put too much confidence in the baby monitor, like leaving the baby alone in the house, and ensure you regularly check on the baby in person, then they can be a useful tool to have. If you are ever unsure, then it’s a great idea to consult your doctor and discuss if this is a good option for you and your baby.
