-Mumsnet user MyOtherHusbandIsAWash
"I’ve been a nanny for over 15 years, [in my experience] a video monitor is imperative. Seeing if baby is stirring, resettling, playing etc is SO helpful. And being able to check in when they’re bigger and more independent is so useful!" -Advice from Mumsnetter AgeGapBbe
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Are baby monitors safe?
The best baby monitors should be fairly solid pieces of kit, designed to withstand knocks and drops from tired parents and boisterous toddlers. As with any electronic product, make sure you keep cords and spare batteries well out of reach of children.
WiFi monitors are sometimes associated with hacking and privacy concerns and although the jury’s out on how much of an issue this actually is, it’s sensible to follow good online practice such as enabling security software updates and two-step authentication, changing the monitor's default password to a new, strong password (and updating this regularly), and only using WiFi connections that you trust.
Baby monitors are also designed as an addition to checking in on your baby in person, so be sure to also keep an eye on their temperature, movements and breathing yourself and not rely solely on equipment.
How to choose the best baby monitor
To filter through all the best baby monitors, you first need to consider what you're looking for from your baby monitor. There are five different monitor types on the market: audio, baby movement, video, WiFi and wearable.
1. Audio baby monitor
Made up of a parent unit that stays with you and an audio sensor that goes in baby's room, audio-only monitors are generally the best baby monitors for affordability and are simple to set up and use. They let you listen in on your baby so that you can hear them snuffling as they drift off to sleep or crying when they’ve woken up.
Two-way monitors do this too, but they also let you chat to and settle your baby from another room.
Consider a model with sound-sensitive lights so that you can see if your baby is stirring, for example if you’re hard of hearing or just like dancing in the kitchen with the volume turned up loud.
2. Video baby monitor
Video monitors are comprised of a camera with sound to let you see what your baby is getting up to, giving you that extra bit of reassurance without having to open the door to check on them and risk waking them up.
A HD colour screen and night vision (so that you see your baby in the dark) often come as standard, with some models also including remote control camera functions that let you zoom, tilt and pan (useful for spotting where your baby has wriggled to in the cot) and record footage (useful to confirm that your babysitter meant it when they said your toddler had behaved angelically).
Some video monitors allow you to connect additional cameras, meaning you can keep an eye on children in different bedrooms, making them the best baby monitors for larger families. Others have in-built movement sensors that alert you when your child is unsettled or awake.
"Video monitors are popular, and with good reason. They allow you to quietly check on your older baby or child without going into the room, which can be especially helpful once you’re working on settling techniques or encouraging more independent sleep.
"Being able to watch how your baby moves through light and deep sleep can help you feel more in tune with what’s happening, something many parents tell me they find really reassuring." -Mandy Gurney, RGN RM Dip HV, Founder of Millpond Sleep Clinic
3. Baby movement and tracking monitor
Ranked by many parents as the best baby monitors for peace of mind, monitors such as the Nanit Pro, the Owlet Sleep Sock, the Snuza and the CuboAI are the next generation of baby monitors capable of tracking sleep, heart rate and oxygen levels. As well as this, some models such as the Cubo can alert parents to when the baby has rolled over or has their face covered.
Although the sensitivity setting can be adjusted to avoid false alarms, some parents can find this type of monitor more anxiety-inducing than reassuring.
"Breathing or movement monitors tend to appeal to parents during the newborn stage, or when there are particular health concerns. Some find them reassuring, while others feel they create more anxiety than comfort. If you’re considering one, I’d always suggest going with a trusted brand and following safety guidance carefully." -Mandy Gurney, RGN RM Dip HV, Founder of Millpond Sleep Clinic
4. WiFi baby monitor
WiFi monitors use a wireless internet connection to sync the baby unit to your phone. This means that you can say goodnight to your baby while you’re at work or watch them as well as talk about them on date night (just us?).
Some WiFi monitors let you save clips, hook up to Alexa or Google Assistant and come with Cloud storage too.
Concerns about security can deter some parents from this type of monitor and others find a digital connection more stable day-to-day. However, if you have a decent WiFi connection and take reasonable safety precautions, these can be the best baby monitors if you'd like the option of checking in on your child remotely.
5. Wearable baby monitor
Wearable baby monitors are smart devices that clip onto baby's clothing or can be worn around the feet (in the case of the Owlet Smart Sock Plus), allowing you to track movements, heart rate and even oxygen levels. Data is then delivered in the form of sleep analytics via an app. These can be the best baby monitors for first-time parents in need of extra reassurance or those who want to be able to learn about their child's sleeping patterns to create a sleep routine.
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How much does a baby monitor cost?
The cost of a baby monitor will depend on the brand, the extra features and the style of monitor you choose.
For a basic audio monitor, such as the Motorola Nursery AM21/MBP21 Audio Baby Monitor, you needn't pay more than £25, but if you want an all-singing, all-dancing video monitor with super-sharp image quality, expect to pay £200-£300.
How do I choose a good baby monitor?
Type: Decide whether or not you want an audio monitor, a video monitor, a movement monitor, a wearable monitor or an app-connected device.
Connection: If you’re thinking of buying a WiFi-connected monitor, check to see if your current internet speed will support it. You'll also need to ensure that your internet connection is secure and password-protected. Any smartphone apps used should be set up with two-step authentication for added security.
Camera and video quality: Not all monitors are created equal when it comes to video quality, so be sure to compare and contrast models to find the best in your budget. Look at whether the monitor has decent night vision as well as day vision, and whether the lens offers a bird's-eye, 360-degree view of your baby's room.
Audio quality: You need to be able to hear your baby clearly while they are in a different room, so the sound quality of your chosen monitor must be high enough to meet your needs. Look for a decent volume range and a monitor that promises no signal interference or lagging.
Ease of use: If other caregivers will be looking after your baby, consider if they will be able to use it easily. Will you require remote access and additional cameras?
Breathing and movement alerts: Think about whether a breathing and movement monitor, complete with a sensor mat, will reassure you or make you unnecessarily anxious.
Range: Will the monitor’s range reach your garden in the summer months? Most baby monitors have an indoor range of at least 50 metres. This is how far you can take the parent unit away from the baby unit (i.e. your baby's cot) so that the monitor can still function as it's supposed to. Consider wall thickness and the size of your house as this will affect the range and signal.
Portability: If you travel often, will the monitor be easy to transport and set up?
Extra features: While most baby monitors have standard, in-built features such as lullabies, two-way talkback and white noise (meaning you can forgo an additional baby sleep aid), some come with added features such as video clips, sleep analytics, cry alerts, breathing trackers and movement sensors.
Power supply: All monitors need some kind of power source such as mains-powered or battery-operated/wireless. Think about what will work best for your home set up and also how long the battery lasts when not on charge. Video monitors will usually need to be plugged in constantly, so consider where yours is mounted so as to keep any wires safely away from your baby's cot.
Battery life: According to Which?, the average battery life for an audio monitor is 13.5 hours, while a video monitor's is just seven. Think about how long you'd need the battery to last as most baby monitors will need recharging daily.
Wall mount or floor stand: Most monitors come with a wall mount or stand (sometimes both) and which one is best for you will depend on the position of your cot and the space around it.
What age do you stop using a baby monitor?
There isn't really any official guidance from the NHS or Lullaby Trust as to the 'right' age to stop using a monitor and opinions on the Mumsnet forums tend to be divided. Some parents find them a useful feature for homes with thicker walls, if their children suffer from nightmares or if they can't be relied upon to come and find them if something is wrong in the night.
We asked sleep expert Mandy Gurney when she advises parents to stop using a baby monitor. She said:
"There’s no fixed age for stopping, it really comes down to what’s working for your family. Many parents naturally phase out using a monitor around 24 months, often once their toddler is able to call out if they need something, or when parents feel more confident recognising their child’s sleep patterns.
"That said, some families carry on using a monitor for longer, especially if their child sleeps on a different floor, shares a room with a sibling, or has had periods of illness or unsettled sleep.
"What matters most is how it’s affecting you. If the monitor is helping you feel calm and in control, there’s no harm in keeping it. But if you find it’s causing more worry than reassurance and you’re waking for every little movement or noise, it might be time to try lowering the volume and then switching it off, even just for naps or part of the night to start with. Like most things in parenting, there’s no one right answer."