Monitors Buying Guide
With a million baby monitors being made by a thousand different brands with a hundred unique features: there’s plenty to consider when it comes time to purchase your own. Never mind the fact that a baby monitor is only one of the many things you’ll need to consider purchasing when you’re having a baby.
What is a Baby Monitor
A baby monitor is like a second pair of eyes and/or ears, keeping baby extra safe and supervised at home. From sleeping to cooking to cleaning to simply chilling in another room while baby naps: a baby monitor offers peace of mind for parents around the house.
Why should you consider a Baby Monitor ?
Your Baby Is Preemie
You’re Expecting Two Babies (or More)
If you’re expecting twins or multiples, or have more than one child, a baby monitor will help you keep an eye on all of them at the same time. Modern baby monitors often allow parents to monitor multiple babies simultaneously, some even come with split-screen features or the ability to toggle between multiple camera views, ensuring you can keep an eye on each child even if they’re in separate cribs or rooms.
With twins, even though born together, each baby has unique needs, sleep patterns, and feeding schedules. A monitor will help you decide which child requires attention at which point as caring for multiple babies involves juggling their demands. Rest is scarce for parents of multiples, and a monitor lets you oversee everyone from one spot.
Important!
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You Have A Large Home
If your home is spacious or has multiple floors, a baby monitor ensures you hear and/or see your baby from any area in your home.
You’re A Deep Sleeper
If you’re a deep sleeper who may not wake up to faint cries, a baby monitor amplifies these sounds for you, ensuring that you hear when your baby needs you.
You're Implementing Sleep Training
Sleep training involves various techniques to help your little one develop healthy sleep habits and learn to sleep independently through the night. Observing your baby’s behavior without being present to excite/distract them can be an effective sleep training method. Additionally, if you’re doing a method of sleep training that involves leaving your baby for a short while before soothing them having a video monitor allows you to watch them to ensure their safety and comfort. Remember that sleep training is a personal decision – what works for one family may not work for all of them.
You Have Multiple Kids
A baby monitor is a lifesaver for parents of more than one child as it gives you the ability to spend one-on-one time with each child, while still being able to keep tabs on the others
Types of Baby Monitors
Sound Monitors
Sound monitors are the most simple and traditional type, capturing sounds via a transmitter unit’s microphone and transmitting them to a receiver for listening. Some models feature two-way talkback, similar to walkie-talkies.
You’ll be able to hear whatever’s happening in baby’s room, so you’ll know straight away if there’s any crying or fussing, and you can even talk to baby and soothe them from around the house.
Upsides
- Affordablity
- Longevity
- Simple and easy to use
Downsides
- You can't see your baby
- You won't be able to track your babies room conditions, vitals or movement
Video Monitor
Video monitors offer an enhanced monitoring experience by incorporating both audio and visual capabilities, providing the advantages of sound monitoring while allowing you to observe baby and their surroundings in real-time.
These monitors have enduring value as they can serve as nanny cameras post-infancy or assist in fostering independent play during toddlerhood. Majority of monitors are equipped with infrared night monitoring, most video monitors ensure continuous visibility of the baby’s activities.
Some models link to a designated app, while others connect to a portable parent unit for convenient monitoring:
Parent Unit Monitors
Parent units are dedicated devices that receive and display information from the monitor. Their strengths lie in their singular purpose as they are free from other distractions, their battery life often outlasts that of a regular smartphone, and they provide a consistent connection, less prone to issues like Wi-Fi outages.
If you’re an “old school” parent or would prefer to have your monitoring device be separate from your mobile phone, a parent unit is probably the system for you.
Upsides
- Typically one separate dedicated device
- Less Wi-FI Reliance
Downsides
- Limited Range
- You won't be able to track your babies room conditions, vitals or movement
Smart Video Monitors
A smart baby monitor is a type of monitor that connects to your phone via an app, allowing you to remotely observe your child from any location with internet access. Of course, you’ll need a stable internet connection for this and they generally come at a steeper price.
If you prefer to have everything in one place, want more than one person to have access to the monitor footage, or are prone to losing things to the void: a mobile app may be the system for you.
Upsides
- Monitor your baby using your phone
- Remotely observe your child
Downsides
- Typically no dedicated device
- Requires stable, reliable internet connectivity.
- You won't be able to track your babies room conditions, vitals or movement
Movement Monitor
This type of monitor is specifically designed to detect a baby’s movements, which includes both physical motions and subtle movements related to breathing or vital signs. They often receive medical aid approval since they can help identify any irregularities in a baby’s breathing.
Several models connect to a designated app, while others are paired with a portable parent unit for easy monitoring. Some of these monitors also come with built-in video and audio capabilities.
Movement monitoring is especially crucial during the initial months, before the baby becomes more active. There are two main types of movement monitors available in the market.
Sensor Pad Monitors
This is a device placed underneath the baby’s mattress. It’s designed to detect the baby’s movements, primarily the subtle movements of breathing. If no movement is detected for a specified interval (typically 20 seconds), an alarm will sound. As your baby becomes more active and potentially moves off the sensor pad, there’s a likelihood of false alarms.
Clip-On or Wearable Monitors
These monitors can be attached as a wearable item, like a sock, or can be clipped onto baby’s clothes or nappy. This direct contact allows you to effectively track important things like baby’s breathing, some hospital-grade monitors even track temperature, heart rate, and oxygen levels and give you sleep insights
Upsides
- Peace of Mind
- Alarm if no movement (like breathing) is detected
- Non-Invasive
Downsides
- Potential for false alarms
- Less protable
Upsides
- Peace of Mind
- Alarm if no movement (like breathing) is detected
- Portable
- Highly accurate biometric, sleep & room insights
Downsides
- Potential for skin irritations
All-In-One
These monitors come equipped with sound, video, and movement monitoring capabilities. They can be smart devices or paired with a dedicated parent unit. Some newer models even offer both options. The movement monitoring component can either be a wearable device or a sensor pad, depending on the model chosen.
These all-in-one monitors are considered the gold standard, but they often come with a higher price tag. It’s beneficial if the all-in-one monitor can function without the movement component, allowing you to utilise the video and sound features well into your child’s toddler years and beyond.
GOOD TO KNOW
Many movement monitors include video and sound features, but not all. If yours doesn't, you can pair it with a separate audio/video monitor. Some parents mix and match devices for a tailored experience, like combining a breathing monitor with a video one. While this offers flexibility, it can also mean managing multiple devices and more complex setups.
Get the most value out of your maternity benefit by claiming for approved baby monitors. With Pandylane, you can order an approved device from us, and get it covered by your medical aid with no extra dispensary fees!
Things to Consider
Now that we know everything there is to know about baby monitors comes the time to choose the right one for you – a pivotal decision for new parents. Understanding the strengths and limitations of each type will guide you in this choice.
Wearable Movement Monitors vs Sensor Pad Monitors
Sound monitors stand out for their simplicity: they are user-friendly, usually more affordable, and can be reliable for parents who can discern their baby’s cries.
You can continue to use sound monitors as your little one grows, however, as they only relay audio, ambient noises and the sounds of your child playing may disrupt the clarity.
- Simplicity and user-friendliness.
- Budget
- Can easily interpret and understand their baby's distinct cries and sounds
Video monitors bring the advantage of visual surveillance. They allow observation without room entry, with features like night vision, zoom, and multi-camera support.
Some support multiple cameras, making them adaptable for various setups. While having audio capabilities and lasting into early childhood, their higher cost can be a drawback compared to sound-only options.
- Want visual assurance without having to enter baby's room frequently.
- Value features like night vision, zoom, and multi-camera capabilities
- Are willing to invest a bit more for added functionality and longer-term use.
Movement monitors cater particularly to parents seeking added peace of mind concerning their baby’s breathing and movements. Especially beneficial for premature infants or those with health issues as these devices can potentially facilitate early interventions if anomalies are detected. Despite their perks, these monitors tend to be more expensive than audio monitors and have a limited usability duration, typically phasing out as babies grow.
- Want an all-inclusive solution covering audio, video, and movement without juggling multiple devices.
- Looking for integrated functionality in one unit or app.
- Have the budget for a more expensive solution.
All In One
- Want an all-inclusive solution covering audio, video, and movement without juggling multiple devices.
- Looking for integrated functionality in one unit or app.
- Have the budget for a more expensive solution.
Extra Features
Parent units are dedicated devices that receive and display information from the monitor. Their strengths lie in their singular purpose as they are free from other distractions, their battery life often outlasts that of a regular smartphone, and they provide a consistent connection, less prone to issues like Wi-Fi outages. However, they lack versatility, and if they get misplaced, parents might find themselves without a monitoring solution until it’s replaced or found.
If you’re an “old school” parent or would prefer to have your monitoring device be separate from your mobile phone, a parent unit is probably the system for you.
Mobile apps bring the power of modern tech to baby monitoring. These apps can transform a parent’s smartphone or tablet into a monitoring interface, offering features like notifications, history tracking, or even integrating with other smart devices in the home. The ability to check on your baby from virtually anywhere, given an internet connection, is a significant plus. However, there are potential downsides. Relying on Wi-Fi means occasional connectivity issues, and constantly running such apps can drain a device’s battery quickly.
If you prefer to have everything in one place, want more than one person to have access to the monitor footage, or are prone to losing things to the void: a mobile app may be the system for you.
Item #5
Wearable Movement Monitors directly attach to baby, often with a clip, socks, or bands. This is their main benefit as direct contact with your little one offers accurate movement and breathing data.
They’re portable for travel or naps away from the crib. However, contact could irritate baby, and if they wriggle a lot (we know babies love a good wiggle) it could be dislodged causing false alarms.
- Desire real-time, precise data on their baby's movement and breathing.
- Are frequently on the move or traveling and need a portable solution.
- Occasionally have baby nap outside of their regular crib and still want to monitor them.
Sensor Pads, on the other hand, are placed beneath baby’s mattress to detect their movements. Their primary advantage is their non-intrusiveness as there’s no direct contact with baby, so no risk of irritation.
It’s important to keep in mind that their performance may be affected by the mattress type or thickness, causing occasional sensitivity issues. You should also keep in mind that they’re not as portable as wearable options so they’re best for baby’s main sleep space.
- Want a broader area of coverage to reduce the likelihood of false alarms.
- Have a mattress that won’t affect the ability of the monitor to sense baby.
- Primarily have their baby sleep in one main area and don’t require portability as much.
Features to Look Out For
Two-Way Talkback
A feature that not only lets parents listen to the baby but also communicate back.
Tilt, Pan, and Zoom
Camera functionalities that enable adjusting the view remotely, allowing a closer look or a different angle of the baby’s room.
Biometric Monitoring
Some advanced monitors can track the baby’s heart rate.
PRO-TIP
Opt for a pump that allows you to adjust both the speed and suction levels independently. This feature offers you the highest level of customisation, enabling you to find the settings that work best for your comfort and efficiency.
Wi-Fi Enabled
Hands-free pumping can be a game-changer. While most pumps don’t come with hands-free accessories included, you can purchase additional items like collection cups that fit into your regular bra or a special bustier that holds the flanges against your breast. These accessories allow you the freedom to multitask while pumping.
GOOD TO KNOW
Many new breast pumps are designed to be wearable, offering incredible convenience for on-the-go moms. However, it's worth noting that these wearable pumps typically don't provide the same level of suction strength as traditional pumps that come with optional hands-free attachments.
Tic Function
This is a feature found in some baby movement monitors. The “tic” sound is an audible indication that the monitor is detecting movement, typically the baby’s breathing. If no movement is detected for a set period, the tic will stop, often followed by an alarm to alert caregivers.
The ability to add more cameras to the system
A closed-system pump includes a barrier, often in the form of a backflow protector or membrane, that prevents air from the pump motor from coming into contact with the milk. This design ensures greater sterility and safety, making it easier to maintain a clean and hygienic pumping environment.
GOOD TO KNOW
Most electric pumps available on the market today feature a closed system, enhancing both sterility and safety for a cleaner, more hygienic pumping experience.