How to Choose a Baby Safety Monitor and Why You Need One

A baby monitor or a baby alarm, is a radio system used for monitoring infants remotely. The system consists of a speaker and a transmitter unit (a microphone).

The transmitter is placed near (usually right next to) the infant. This is to ensure that all sounds are immediately recorded and transmitted to the speaker.

A sleeping baby; image source: healthiack.com

Most of the baby safety monitors provide one-way communication, but some monitors also provide two-way communication that allows the parent to try and comfort the baby remotely. Some monitors even allow for broadcast of music, to help the baby fall asleep.

Choosing the right baby safety monitor

Choosing the best baby safety monitor involves several steps. First, consider a digital baby monitor to avoid eavesdropping from neighbors.

Secondly, consider buying either an analog monitor that has a different frequency than your cordless phone or a highly rated digital monitor to avoid interference impeding your signal.

Thirdly, look at safety baby monitors with a long range if you have a big house, so you will always stay within reach. Lastly, when you set up your monitor’s camera or transmitter, be sure it’s out of the baby’s reach to prevent any unnecessary injuries.

Factors to consider

When browsing for a baby safety monitor, the most important factor is clear reception. Muffled, fuzzy or screeching sounds will be distracting and difficult to discern from ambient sounds.

With low-end wireless baby monitors, cordless telephone conversations may come through the channel or simple everyday appliances like microwaves may jumble the pictures or sounds.

The best way to avoid interference is to purchase a quality baby infant monitor that has a similar range to your home size. If you buy one that is too large, it will be easier to pick up the neighbor’s frequencies.

Also, tests show that digital baby monitors have less trouble with interference than analog baby monitors, so that should be considered as well. If you do settle on an analog monitor, ensure that your cordless phone and monitor do not work off the same Gigahertz frequency and look for a model that offers at least two different channel selections.

Potentials problems and pitfalls

There can be some problems with baby safety monitors from time to time, making them lesser safe for your baby. Some digital baby monitors may be overly sensitive, signaling every little murmur, roll-over or noise.

After a time, it becomes a case of “the safety monitor who cried wolf,” where you’ll be so desensitized to the continual alarms that you might ignore a real emergency.

Also, many monitors do not have a very extensive range, which can make you think everything is quiet and lovely, when in reality, your baby is shrieking out of your range.

Sometimes electronic devices like cordless phones and microwaves can also cause interference, making sounds muffled and distorted and leaving you to wonder, “Why did I buy this useless thing?”

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