Baby monitors allow parents to keep an ear out for-and in some cases keep an eye on-their snoozing tykes from as far as 600 feet away. These handy little gadgets offer parents peace of mind, but with hundreds of baby monitor options to choose from, selecting the one that's right for your needs can be overwhelming, particularly if you're not an electronics whiz. Simplify the task by zeroing in on the key factors that you may want to consider when making your choice.
Type of Monitors
When buying a baby monitor, the first question you should ask yourself is how much surveillance you want. While some parents want to keep track of baby's every breath and movement, others are content to check in on baby in person every now and then and use a monitor merely to gauge when baby wakes up. There are baby monitors on the market today that fulfill both levels of needs as well as every other need in between.
A basic baby monitor consists of a transmitter that plugs into an outlet in baby's room, no more than 10 feet away from the child, and sends audio to a receiver that the parent keeps close at hand. The receiver may be a plug-in model or it may be battery operated so you can carry it around. Most receivers, like the Evenflo Whisper 49MHz Connect Monitor, come with a belt clip so they can be worn instead of carried. Simple monitors like these let parents hear a child's whimpers, coos or cries and measure those sounds with a row of flashing light. The louder the child, the more lights flash. That comes in handy if you're doing noisy chores like vacuuming or mowing the lawn, or if you need to make a phone call but don't want the person you call to hear your child crying. Basic monitors often come with two receivers so one can charge while the other is in use, two parents can monitor the baby at the same time or one can be left in your bedroom while the other does duty in the rest of the house.
Beyond the basics, you'll find audio/video monitors featuring either black-and-white or color displays. These monitors are portable, just like basic audio monitors, and allow parents and caregivers to watch baby's movements on a small video screen while also listening to sound. The base unit is usually a small wall-mounted or tabletop camera you position for optimum viewing in baby's room.
The high-end baby monitors are audio-based with motion-sensing capabilities to add another level of security. The motion sensors are designed to detect motions as slight as an infant's breathing and are placed beneath baby's mattress. If no motion is detected for a number of seconds, an alarm sounds. Motion-sensing monitors have helped soothe many a parent's worries about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
If you're the parent of more than one young child, you may be pleased to discover models that offer multi-room monitors. These allow you to keep track of several children at one time. Keep in mind that multiple monitors within close proximity can interfere with one another.
Monitor Range
Although you probably won't venture toofar away from your slumbering bundle, you do want to consider the distance you want your monitor to cover. Basic monitors cover ranges around 150 feet, while others can transmit signals up to 900 feet. Bear in mind that brick, concrete, stainless steel and other features commonly found in homes and apartment buildings can impair a monitor's transmission range. Consider your home's layout, the location of baby's room compared to where you'll be spending the bulk of your time and what materials your home is made of before making your purchase.
The Potential for Interference
Many embarrassing moments have occurred in modern-day suburbia due to the baby monitor. Why? Because baby monitors often transmit over the same frequency bands as cordless telephones, cellular phones, CB radios and other baby monitors. Just imagine what you might hear in a neighborhood such as the one the Desperate Housewives live in. Static interference is another concern. This type of interference can often be created by common household equipment, such as microwaves, electronics and fluorescent lights.
Analog monitors tend to be among the least expensive; however, they are also the most prone to interference. By contrast, digital spread spectrum (DSS) technology, such as that offered by the Graco iMonitor, scrambles transmission and is least-susceptible to interference problems, which means the Joneses will be less likely to hear you singing your baby to sleep. Other monitors use digital enhanced cordless technology, or DECT for short, which may be the most advanced available in terms of privacy and freedom from static interference.
Bandwith and Security
The strength of your monitor's frequency band or bandwidth is another consideration. Bandwith is measured in megahertz (MHz) and gigahertz (GHz). The higher the MHz or GHz (GHz being the more powerful of the two), the clearer the signal. However, the higher the bandwidth, the more likely you may be to receive other peoples' signals as well. If you're in a neighborhood that's prone to lots of interference, a lower-powered model might serve you best. Also remember that if you purchase a monitor with the same frequency band as your cordless phone, you'll be more likely to experience interference problems.
Additional security features include multiple channels. Basic monitors come with two channels, but some offer as many as 60, allowing parents dozens of options for finding the clearest band. Some models provide an auto-select feature that will find the most effective and secure transmission band for you.
Bells and Whistles
Several baby monitors also come with features that offer additional functionality and convenience. For example, the Evenflo Whisper Connect Sensa has a Pet Sensor that sends out an alert when the wayward family cat ventures into baby's crib, while some video monitors allow you to record your snoozing infant, which will at the very least provide good fodder to embarrass him years later during his 16th birthday party.
Multiple-receiver models may also include a walkie-talkie feature that allows the parents to talk to each other, while others provide an intercom that offers mommy the opportunity to sing baby back to sleep from a distance. Some monitors provide features that seem more necessary than superfluous, such as low-battery or out-of-range indicators.
One last point: Although monitors do provide a measure of relief for parents concerned about leaving children unattended while they sleep, the American Academy of Pediatrics cautions parents about relying too heavily on a baby monitor. Monitors can certainly be a helpful aid in child rearing, but they do not replace the need for Mom, Dad or the child's caregiver to personally poke a head in the baby's room on a regular basis.
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