Do You Need a Baby Monitor? Are They Easy to Use?

As a mom of six, I can tell you right away that yes, baby monitors are really useful and it’s a purchase I’ll never regret. Having a new little one at home means dozens of responsibilities, including ensuring their safety every second. This is where a baby monitor turns out to be a game-changer!

But when I was a new mom, I had my doubts about them too. So, do you need a baby monitor and is a baby monitor necessary for your home? The honest answer is that it depends.

So, let me help you understand the factors or situations you should bear in mind while deciding if you really need that baby monitor.

Understanding The Purpose Of Baby Monitors

Here’s a mini-history about how the first baby monitors came into being:

Back in 1932, when Lindbergh’s baby was kidnapped from a family nursery, the news affected many parents, including Eugene F. McDonald Jr, founder of Zenith Radio. And his company invented the first-ever audio baby monitor to listen to the sounds of babies during bedtime.

Today, we have baby monitors that are not only limited to audiovisual feeds but also packed with incredible features like

• Temperature monitoring 
• Playing lullabies
• Eliminating white noise interference
• VOX settings to conserve battery, and sound sensitivity levels

So, even if you’re looking for something really specific for baby monitoring, I’m pretty sure that today’s baby monitors will have that feature.

If you’ve already got one at home, it also helps to understand when to stop using baby monitors so you don’t become too dependent on them.

Do You Need a Baby Monitor: 7 Situations to Consider

Baby monitors are personal preferences, for sure. Some parents may not have much use for it, while for parents like me, it can mean a world of difference to have it (Know how a baby monitor works and learn the types). But, let’s explore general factors or situations that can influence parents to purchase baby monitors:

1. Sleeping in Separate Rooms

• Some parents prefer to invest in video-based baby monitors from day one, as they make their infants and tots sleep in a nursery or a separate room. 

2. Deep Sleeping Parents

• If you’re a deep-sleeper, baby monitors with movement and noise detection can sound alarms, helping you ensure your baby’s safety at all times.

3. Work From Home 

• It’s a lot of hard work to manage work and a little one all at once. 
• Baby monitors reduce the hassle by helping you monitor them from a distance with a live video feed and two-way communication to talk to them from right at your desk.

Recommended Reading: Are Baby Monitors FSA-Eligible?

4. A Big House

• Baby monitors help you to listen to your baby’s cries, even if your house has many rooms or floors. They have become a necessary asset for parents living in big apartments or larger houses. 

5. When Your Baby is a Light Sleeper

• Some babies wake up even when the door opens, making it challenging for parents to put them back to sleep. 
• Here, baby monitors make sense because they allow you to check on them from a distance without waking them.

6. Multiple Kids to Handle 

• So, I’ve got six kids to care for. Theo is my youngest and shares the room with my toddler, Sawyer. If this is the situation in your home as well, a baby monitor will be super helpful.

7. Crucial Medical Conditions in Infants 

• This is a serious factor that prompts moms and dads to get baby monitors. Babies born with apnea or other medical issues require baby monitors to track their breathing, heart rate, sleep, and movements. 

So, if you are in any of the above situations, a baby monitor can help you out. Choose a baby monitor with all essential features, focusing on quality and privacy, too.

Also, make sure you place your baby monitor in the right spot.

You may also want to get a baby monitor that can record the monitoring sessions, for the sake of happy memories or for security reasons. So, check out – Do Baby Monitors Record?

Common Concerns About Baby Monitors

• Privacy Issues: Hacking stories are a real worry for all parents. You must be extra careful when using baby monitors, mainly the Wi-Fi ones. Please maintain strong credentials and keep your family safe.  

• Too Much Dependency: There could be a time when you feel like not using your baby monitor anymore. However, parents also sometimes feel handicapped without it, if they are relying on it too much. So, do find a balance between both.

• Technical Problems: Because it’s an electronic device, you’ll obviously face technical issues, which can be frustrating if you need it during critical moments, especially when a baby is dealing with health issues. 

Additionally, cost is also a significant concern. The more features you look at, the more you’ll have to pay. Here are a few cost-effective alternatives that some parents consider: 

• Walkie-Talkies: It’s a more affordable alternative; however, please opt for a walkie-talkie with the VOX feature. The mode activates and transmits your baby’s sound without interference.
• Web Cam: Another alternative is to set up a webcam at your baby’s nursery and watch the feed on a separate laptop or PC.
• Tablet/Smartphone: A few parents use an iPhone or an iPad to monitor their baby. They connect to other devices like the Apple Watch or an extra phone. However, it requires an app to set up and configure.
• Wearable Baby Monitors: Wearable baby monitors are more reasonably priced than smart baby monitors. They can help you track an infant’s breathing, sleep, and oxygen levels.
• Other Smart Devices: You can configure your Alexa Echo or Echo Show into a baby monitor. The same goes for AirPods; you can set them up as an audio baby monitor.

Do You Need A Baby Monitor: My Final Thoughts

Baby monitors have surely made it more convenient for parents to keep their little ones safe. But yes, it all depends on your needs, dear parents! 

Please analyze your situation at home, and then decide whether you need a baby monitor. If you do, take some time to research the type of baby monitor you’ll need.