Baby Monitors
Baby monitors will give you the peace of mind that even when you're elsewhere in the house, you're still keeping tabs on your sleeping baby and will be able to hear if she wakes or if there's a problem.
Many different types and models are available, with different features and prices. How can you choose between them?
Audio, Video or Movement
The three main types of monitor are audio, video and movement. As you'd probably guess from the names, an audio unit lets you monitor by sound, while a video monitor will also let you see into the nursery without risking waking your child. A breathing monitor will also monitor your child's natural breathing movements and alert you if nothing is detected for 20 seconds or so.
Audio monitors are the least expensive, and are perfectly adequate for most people. However, a video type will mean you can reassure yourself that all is okay without actually going into the nursery and risking disturbing your baby. This may be especially useful in those first few paranoid weeks of your baby sleeping alone, when you're constantly checking that she's okay!
A full breathing monitor may not seem necessary, but can be especially comforting to parents of - for instance - premature babies, or others who may have a special reason to want more extensive monitoring.
Mobile or Fixed
With most monitors, the base unit (transmitter) is fixed in the nursery near to where baby is sleeping, and plugged into a mains socket. The listening unit (receiver) can be fixed or mobile, where the mobile option obviously gives you more freedom to move around the house.
Even the mobile units will need to be powered though, so most models come with a fixed charging unit that you'd probably want to keep in your bedroom, which lets the unit charge overnight, while you carry the receiver around in the hours between baby's bedtime and your own (or possibly minutes if you're especially sleep-deprived).
Channels
Baby monitors are a kind of radio device and can be affected by interference from other radio transmitters in the area. Make sure that the monitor you buy lets you select between more than one radio channel, so that if interference is a problem you've got a chance to change channel and avoid it.
Digital or Analogue?
Traditional monitors were analogue, while more modern ones are digital. What does this mean? Basically, a digital one will usually have clearer sound quality, be less affected by interference, but will probably be more expensive.
Range
Make sure that the monitor has a long enough range for your needs. If you're living in a small apartment then range probably isn't an issue, but if, for example, you have a garden then in the summer months you'll probably want to make sure your monitor will still work there rather than you having to stay indoors.
Prices
Prices vary widely, with the cheapest available at less than £20, and rising to over £100 even for just an audio monitor, more for video or breathing monitors. All will work perfectly well, but it's worth getting the best one you can afford - you need to trust that a monitor is working correctly, or you'll forever be going checking on your baby, which rather defeats the object of getting a monitor in the first place!
Featured Audio Monitor
BT Baby Monitor 100 | |
 | Upgraded from BT's first entry level Baby Monitor into the market. Digital technology means crystal-clear sound quality with no interference. A range of up to 300 metres (in ideal conditions) and an Intercom feature means that a constant link is maintained between parent and baby. It features LCD, five lullabies. |
£39.99 from Evocal Ltd. - More Info >>> | |
Featured Video Monitor
Binatone BM500 Digital Video Baby Monitor | |
 | Binatone BM500 Digital Video Baby Monitor has a large 3.5" colour screen for clear digital images of your baby as well as digital sound. Digital Camera monitors are less prone to interference and secure transmission offer complete privacy. Binatone BM500 monitor offers great value at this price Digital Camera Video Baby Monitor with large 3.5” LCD color screen: Night Vision Monitor - with adjustable brightness to see baby in the dark, Battery and Mains powered Baby Monitor and Baby Camera, Long Baby Monitoring monitoring range High microphone sensitivity - hear every move and noise from your baby, Motion detector – monitor when your baby is having a restless sleep, 2-way communication - parental talk-back, Temperature Monitor - ensure the room optimum temperature for your baby, 8 lullabies - soothe your baby to sleep |
£126.98 from Baby Monitors Direct - More Info >>> | |
Featured Breathing / Movement Monitor
NScessity Digital Wireless Video Baby Monitor + Respisense Baby Movement Monitor | |
 | NScessity Digital Video Baby Monitor the very latest Digital Technology, a massive monitoring range and sleek, modern design - an all round winning addition to the Baby Essentials monitor range from NScessity. Digital Video Baby Monitor delivers a clear image with no interference. High resolution, crystal clear image on 1.8" screen for easy monitoring and offers a range of 300 metres. Delivers a clear image with no interference. Huge monitoring range for parental flexibility and peace of mind. High resolution, crystal clear image on 1.8" screen for easy monitoring. Easily adjusted to suit personal preference and location. A monitor that adapts easily to the needs of a growing family. Subtle and reassuring blue night light with auto/manual control. Delivers a clear image of child even in total darkness. A constant clear image for total reassurance. Superb ‘green’ credentials. Total control of sound and image. Digital Technology 300 metre range Flip-up colour LCD monitor Individual brightness and volume controls Can run up to 4 cameras on separate channels Optional night light on camera Auto infrared night vision on camera Up to 20 frames per second Li-Ion rechargeable battery for monitor Auto LCD on/off option Adjustable brightness and volume control Conserves battery power Respisense Buzz™ Breathing Effort and Movement Baby Monitor is the latest technology in Baby Monitors giving parents an early warning of irregularities in baby breathing effort. Respisense Buzz™ simply clips onto the waistband of your baby's nappy then quietly and unobtrusively monitors baby's breathing efforts while asleep. It triggers an alarm if your baby stops or appears to stop breathing. The new Respisense Buzz™ model has the built-in TummyTickle™ feature that attempts to stir baby to resume breathing before sounding the alarm. This gentle, proactive stimulation is a world first, and works by way of gentle tactile stimulation that mimics the efforts of nurses in neonatal wards. When all breathing movement ceases a increasing volume alarm will sound. Because babies don't always sleep in their cot or bed, Respisense Buzz™ was designed to be completely portable. No other baby monitor allows the freedom of movement and safety in design coupled with the proactive response that Respisense Buzz™ does. It can be used practically anywhere baby may fall asleep - in a cot, on a picnic blanket or on grandmother's lap. Co-sleeping babies, such as twins or triplets in one cot or babies in need of special care can now be monitored safely while sharing a bed or lying right next to mother. Respisense Buzz™ can also easily be used in any hammock-style sleeper, where traditional monitors cannot work. It is simply the most portable and convenient instrument for monitoring baby's breathing efforts. Respisense Buzz™ works regardless of baby's position whilst sleeping Can be used in Cot Beds, Air beds, Cribs, Travel Cots, Moses Baskets, Cradles or Blankets Build in Tummy Tickle™ can gently stir baby to breathe again Perfectly portable for "use anywhere" Battery will last for up to 12 months Isolated from most external movements Uses NO cables, wires or plug connections Can be used by infants sharing a cot (e.g. twins) Can be used by babies sharing a bed with parent Weight just 32g (1oz) |
£214.5 from Baby Monitors Direct - More Info >>> | |
