Baby Monitor: Research your needs

In order to end up with the baby monitor best suited to your needs, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.

Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of baby monitors are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in a baby monitor.

Research the market: Baby Monitor essentials

The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the baby monitor market. The range of options can seem daunting, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:

Type: Baby monitors are available in all sorts of shapes and sizes with varying functions. Some are wireless and others are cordless. While the sound and/or video monitor (which is connected to the crib) tend to plug in, the receiver can operate on rechargeable or 9-volt batteries. If you would like a wireless receiver that allows you greater mobility, the best option might be to purchase a baby monitor with two receivers with rechargeable batteries so you always have one unit that is fully charged. Some baby monitor receivers are waterproof for when you're in the shower, some have a two-way speaker system in case you need to soothe your baby, and others connect into your home computer WiFi (wireless fidelity) network. Additionally, some are more durable than others, and will withstand being knocked off changing tables or dropped in the middle of the night.

Range: The range of most baby monitors is measured in feet. A 200 feet (61 meter) range monitor is basic, while 300 to 600 feet (91 to 182 meter) models are becoming more common in the market. With a longer-range model, even if you are gardening outside, you should be able to have a crystal-clear connection. Distance specifications are either measured according to an open line of sight (no obstructions), or rated according to an obstructed view (such as walls in a house), the latter being the most practical form.

Volume & Sound: Most middle-range baby monitors have a wide-range volume control, along with quality speakers that allow you to clearly monitor goings-on. And, some can be set on vibrate mode to get your attention. Higher quality sound mechanisms do a good job at eliminating white noise. Other models come with high-quality microphones that will pick up the slightest noise or movement.

Light Alarm Display: For those times when you cannot hear the receiver, if you are vacuuming, listening to music, or on the phone, some baby monitors come with a small light alarm that will indicate when your baby is awake. This alarm can act as a back-up mechanism to alert you.

Channel Selection: With every new GHz release in the home market, baby monitors will sometimes pick up interference from other wireless connections. Some baby monitors still use the older 900 MHz connections, while new models use 1.2 GHz or 2.4 GHz, among others. If you believe there might be some external interference with the model you want to purchase, make sure it comes with at least two or more channels you can use to adjust the signal. While the different channels won't change the GHz rating, for example, it will allow you to optimize your own home connection.

Extra Receivers: Cheaper baby monitors won't have nearly as many features, but still pass government specifications for adequate performance. These units, most generally, are not video-based monitors, but use one-way sound monitoring. Additionally, such makes may not come with an extra receiver.

Video Baby Monitor: Video baby monitors can use night vision or come with small LED (light emitting diode) illumination for easy night-time monitoring. Some of these use infrared light, which cannot be seen by the human eye and will not affect your baby's sleep. Pay attention to the screen size of the monitor so you will have an adequate view of your infant or toddler.

Accessories: The more you invest into a baby monitor, the more features are available. Some come with a calming vibration mechanism, are compatible with home Internet connections, allow you to program feeding times that alert you, and even have web cams so other family members can watch or see the baby from outside the home.

Research your needs: Questions to ask yourself

Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in a baby monitor. For example, will you use the baby monitor only for when you are in the shower?

You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.

Have I used a baby monitor before?
	If you have used a baby monitor, work out what you did or didn't like about the baby monitor. You may be looking for one exactly like it, hoping to upgrade, or even trying to avoid any particular features that you found inconvenient.

Do I need a baby monitor?
	If you are a parent who works at home, then a baby monitor gives you a lot more freedom to do chores, make meals, and work while your baby sleeps. Many parents even continue using their baby monitor throughout their child's toddler years as an extra precaution.

What activities am I going to be doing around the house?
	If your house is quite small and your work allows you to be near the baby's room, then you may not feel a baby monitor is necessary. But, if your house is a bit bigger then a monitor is quite handy.

Do I want a wireless or plug-in system?
	Numerous baby monitoring receivers are wireless nowadays, giving you the freedom to roam around the house or yard freely. However, some parents don't want to have to carry a receiver around with them and would much rather have a plug-in model that sits on their desk, for example, while they work or study.

Is seeing my baby on my monitor important?

Newer and more expensive baby monitors allow you to hear and also see your baby. Less-expensive models don't allow you to see as well in darkened rooms, but some units have a night vision component. Some models also come with a motion sensor pad, which tracks your baby's movement, checking for breathing and motion. If your baby doesn't move for a time, it will trigger a small alarm, which may help prevent Infant Sudden Death Syndrome.

How much other wireless activity occurs in my house?

If you have a wireless computer network in your house it might interfere with your baby monitor's signal. Or, if you use a certain frequency cordless phone, for example, it might also interfere if it uses the same Gigahertz (GHz) line. Before you buy, make sure the baby monitors you consider have a frequency that won't be interfered with or one that you can change the channels, especially if your neighbors can pick up your baby monitor's signal.

Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.

Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of baby monitors and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.

Video Links

Angelcare Monitor- User review
Demonstrating how to properly use this monitor to reduce false alarms. Also tells you why it helped me to sleep when my baby was a newborn. (2m 51s)