When to Stop Using a Baby Monitor: 6 Signs It’s Time
When Sawyer was two, she and Theo shared a room, and our monitor kept an eye on both of them. A couple of years later, Sawyer, at four, informed her dad, with all the sass in the world, that watching her was “invading her privacy”. She had a point. That’s when we started turning the monitor off during the day.
There’s no official age to stop using a baby monitor. Here are the signs it might be time, and how to phase it out.
When should you stop using a baby monitor? The quick answer
There’s no set age. Many families stop sometime in the toddler or preschool years, once their child sleeps reliably, can come and find them, and the monitor isn’t telling them anything new. Keep it longer if your child has a medical need, sleeps far away, or you have a new baby sharing the room. For babies, the AAP recommends sleeping in your room (on their own sleep surface) for at least the first 6 months. A monitor is for when they’re in another room. (HealthyChildren.org, AAP)
| Keep using it if… | It may be time to stop if… |
|---|---|
| Your baby sleeps in another room | Your child sleeps through and wakes calmly |
| Your child can’t call for you or get out of bed | Your child can walk to your room or call you |
| The nursery is far from your bedroom | You can hear them anyway |
| A doctor has asked you to watch for a medical reason | You check it out of habit, not need |
| A younger sibling shares the room | Your child asks for privacy |
6 signs it’s time to stop using a baby monitor
- They sleep well most nights. If wake-ups are rare and short, the monitor isn’t telling you much.
- They can come and find you. Once your child can get out of a toddler bed and walk to your room, or call out loudly enough for you to hear, you’ll know when they need you.
- You can hear them without it. If their room is close to yours, the monitor may just be adding noise.
- You’re checking it out of habit. If you watch the screen more to settle your own nerves than because something’s happening, it’s worth asking whether it’s still helping.
- They’re asking for privacy. Sawyer told us at four. Older kids deserve to feel trusted in their own room.
- It’s affecting your sleep. Every rustle on the monitor wakes you, but your child is fine.
When to keep using it longer
- Your baby is under 6 months and sleeping in another room for naps. Many parents use a monitor for naps while their baby room-shares at night.
- Your child has a medical condition and their doctor has asked you to watch them closely. Follow your doctor’s plan.
- Their room is far from yours, like a different floor.
- A new baby shares the room with an older sibling.
How to stop using a baby monitor gently
- Start with daytime. Turn the monitor off for naps or awake time first. That’s what we did once Sawyer spoke up.
- Switch to audio only, or turn the volume down, for a week or two.
- Leave both doors open at night, if it’s safe in your home, so you can hear.
- Childproof their room before you rely on hearing instead of seeing. That means anchoring furniture, covering outlets and keeping cords out of reach.
- Tell your child the plan, especially if they’re old enough to have asked.
Kelleigh’s Quick Tip: Before you pack the monitor away, do one “practice night” with it off. If you sleep fine and your child does too, you’re ready. If not, try again in a month.
A note on “smart” monitors and health
Some monitors track breathing, heart rate or oxygen. They aren’t a way to prevent SIDS, and the AAP advises against relying on home monitors for that. A safe sleep space is what lowers the risk. If your baby has a medical condition, follow your pediatrician’s advice. (AAP 2022 safe sleep recommendations)
What to do with your old monitor
- Keep it for travel, for hotel rooms and grandparents’ houses.
- Pass it on, after a factory reset if it’s a WiFi model, so your account and videos go with you.
- Recycle it as electronics, not with household trash.
FAQs
What age should you stop using a baby monitor?
There’s no set age. Many families stop in the toddler or preschool years, once their child sleeps well and can call or come to them.
When should I take the baby monitor out of the room?
When your child sleeps reliably, can let you know when they need you, and the monitor isn’t telling you anything new.
Do I need a baby monitor if my baby sleeps in my room?
Not at night. The AAP recommends room-sharing for at least the first 6 months. Many parents use a monitor for naps in another room.
Is it bad to use a baby monitor for too long?
Not harmful, but it can affect your sleep, and older kids may want privacy. Phase it out gently when the signs are there.
Should I use a baby monitor for a toddler?
It’s up to you. Many parents keep one through the toddler years, especially if the child’s room is far away or they share it with a baby.
My take
Sawyer was right about privacy. A monitor is a tool for a stage, not forever. When your child sleeps well and can come to find you, try a night without it, starting with the daytime. You’ll know when you’re both ready.
Questions? Email me at kelleigh@imperfecthomemaking.com.
Happy parenting!
Related reading:
