Babies need frequent attention, and our digital world has made that easier.
One amazing innovation is the baby monitor, but what is a baby monitor?
A baby monitor is simply a system that allows you to monitor and know your baby’s condition even if you are not close to your baby. This modern baby monitor is also known as a baby cam.
Initially, baby monitors were made to record only sounds. This product comprises a microphone and a transmitter unit and is placed near the infant.
This will transmit sounds from your baby’s environment straight to you. That way, you will always know your baby’s condition as long as the monitor is on.
This technology has evolved so that you will get both sound and video transmission.
That way, you can monitor your baby visually instead of guessing. The device was also designed to inform parents about their baby’s room temperature.
The fun part of this modern technology is that you do not need to carry some ancient-looking device to monitor your baby.
Your mobile smartphone can be your device to look after your baby when you are not nearby.
The essential purpose of using a baby monitor is to allow you to know when your baby is awake when you are not within hearing coverage.
Things to Know About Baby Monitors
Baby Cam
A baby cam is a surveillance camera that allows you to monitor your baby visually. It can be connected to a portable LCD screen or television.
Some baby cams can work even in a room with low light. This is because it has been worked on to improve your experience.
These days, most baby cams have infrared LEDs attached to the front. This gives it its night vision properties, allowing you to see your baby even in the dark.
This feature can be made automatically, switching to night mode automatically once it is dark.
Some baby cams are advanced enough to use Wi-Fi, allowing parents to watch over their babies using their mobile smartphones or computers.
Movement Monitors
A baby movement monitor has “sensor pads.” These pads allow you to sense and monitor your baby’s movement.
This is kept under the crib mattress, and if the movement is meant to detect steps for more than twenty seconds, you will hear its alarm.
Wired and Wireless
Generally, baby monitors are wireless systems, but they can also use wires. A baby monitor can also function using a home’s existing wiring.
They work with radio frequencies that can be disrupted by nearby wireless devices such as mobile phones, cordless telephones, smartphones, wireless toys, computer wireless networks, and microwave ovens.
Nevertheless, some digital audio wireless systems are resistant to this signal disruption.
At the same time, the analog audio transmissions can be picked up at a distance from the home by a scanner receiver or other baby monitor receivers.
Therefore, there are privacy risks as long as the device is switched on.
However, the digital transmission provides some level of privacy protection.
Many wireless baby monitors support multiple cameras on a single portable monitor receiver.
Such systems are compatible with a standard wireless security camera. FM transmitters have features that allow them to be paired with a microphone, which gives you your Do-It-Yourself baby monitor. Clock radios can also be improved.
Smartphone as Baby Monitors
Some baby monitors are so advanced that they can connect to your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Bluetooth or Wi-Fi can link you to the camera-equipped baby monitor in your baby’s room. That way, you can monitor your baby through your smartphone.
Other Features
Baby monitors come with portable receivers that can be carried by the parents or caregiver when they are not with the baby.
The transmitter is placed close to the crib while the receiver remains with the parents.
This transmitter is usually plugged into a socket, making repeating sounds.
The receivers vibrate to alert parents when their baby is away or restless.
The vibration is especially effective for persons with hearing difficulties. Some systems come with several transmitters.
This allows them to monitor many rooms in the house simultaneously.
In comparison, some transmitters have movement sensors that can be kept under the baby’s mattress to alert you if there is any sign of restless activity.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Baby Monitors
Owning a baby monitor comes with a handful of benefits and downsides.
Advantages of Baby Monitor
Baby Monitors Offer You Better Privacy
If you are the type of person who regularly needs to be on your own for some minutes or hours, then you should get a baby monitor.
With a baby monitor, you can have a separate room from your baby’s.
You will enjoy your privacy while you monitor your baby, even when you’re not near.
Your baby also learns to interact with the surroundings and enjoy their alone time.
They also learn how to sleep alone, making them not fear sleeping or being alone.
Baby Monitors Help You Learn About Your Baby’s Sleeping Pattern
You may be too busy, tired, or asleep to observe and note your baby’s sleeping pattern. With a baby monitor, you can track how your baby sleeps.
You get to know when they are deep asleep when they are restless, and when they are resting.
You also get to know how much sleep they get. This will make it easier for you to decide whether or not they need more sleep.
Baby Monitors Will Let Parents Have a Better Look if Their Baby Has a Health Issue
Having a baby monitor will help you observe your baby at all times.
Babies with congenital problems need more attention, and if you are parenting one, then you should get a monitor.
Also, babies with allergies, especially respiratory allergies such as asthma, need a baby monitor to help keep track.
Baby Monitors Help You Monitor Your Baby When the Older Sibling is With Him or Her
Depending on the age, older siblings (between infancy and early adolescence) do not know how to care for a baby. However, they would still want to play and spend time with their baby siblings.
Older children may play with the baby without realizing they are too rough for a baby. With a baby monitor, you can monitor them when they are together.
Baby Monitors Help You Watch Your Baby When You Are Out of Your Home
Your life does not solely revolve around your baby. You may have a career to build, a business to run, and money to make. You may have errands to run and other things to take care of.
You may have a social event to attend, people to visit, and other things included in your social life.
While you are away, you have no one you can trust to leave your baby with. You can get a baby monitor to look after your baby while away.
This will keep you relaxed while you are away because you do not need to worry.
Baby Monitors Help Record Adorable Baby Moments
There are many memories that we can create by having a baby monitor. They are cute core moments that your baby may create, but you’d miss them because you are not around.
Fortunately, many baby cam comes with a recording feature that enables you to watch those adorable moments after you miss them.
You can also share these lovely moments with your friends and family. You can watch and enjoy them later and even share them with the baby after he or she is all grown.
Disadvantages of Baby Monitors
These are the disadvantages that come with using a baby monitor:
Baby Monitors Might Need an Internet Connection
Some baby monitors need a constant internet connection to work, record, and store information.
This has a digital problem; when this connection is not stable, the baby monitor will be unable to function properly.
It will be a waste if you have such a baby cam and you do not have a stable internet connection.
Baby Monitors Might Give You Sleep Problems and Anxiety
Some parents, especially light sleepers, are likely to get obsessed with the device. If you are a light sleeper, you are likely to develop anxiety. This can lead to anxiety, even when they know that the device functions well.
Baby Monitors Are of No Use if Your Baby’s Room is Close to Your Bedroom
If, as a stay-at-home parent, your baby’s room is just next door and is not soundproof. Then, you will be wasting your money on buying a baby monitor. That is if your sole need for a baby monitor is to alert you when your baby is awake.
Baby Monitors Can Be Damaged
Just like every other device, there are shortcomings. This can be due to an insufficient power or dead batteries interrupting your product use.
If you are fond of using it all the time without a break, their parts may develop a fault and subsequently spoil. Therefore, you should use this device only when you need to.
Wireless Versions of These Monitors Get Disturbed a Lot
If you must get a wireless baby monitor, you should note that it cannot function well when there is a slight signal disruption.
Usually, the most common cause of this signal disruption is the presence of other wireless devices in the house.
These wireless devices include Smartphones, televisions, and mobile phones.
Therefore, you should keep your baby monitor away from such devices, for it functions well.
These Monitors Can Be Expensive for Some People
Many versions and brands of baby monitors come with features that parents need.
Some versions and brands do not come cheap because they have certain features that others don’t have.
