Do you need a baby monitor?

[Babysealion]

We live in a 2 bed fairly small flat. We're planning on keeping baby in moses basket in living room (which is also an open plan kitchen and dining area) and the cot in our bedroom.
He will probably be in a room with at least one of us at all times and our bedroom is right across the landing from the living room - when I'm in bed on a night I can hear DP watching television if he stays up later than me, etc.
Is it absolutely necessary that we get on? Obviously we will if they're always needed - but I'd hate to waste money on something only to bring the baby home and realise we can hear everything regardless anyway.

---------------------

Hello!

We've got some helpful advice on audio, video and sensor pad monitors in our baby monitors buyer's guide which might be useful.

If you do decide having a baby monitor is the right choice, take a look at our reviews to find the right one for your family.

Hope that helps! MNHQ

[SoonToBeSix]

No not in your circumstances, but you need to keep your baby in the living room until you go to bed. Baby should sleep in the same room as you even for daytime naps until age six months.

[DoesZingBumpLookBigInThis]

in your flat I wouldn't bother.
I can hear baby crying when she is upstairs in our bedroom (door closed) and I'm downstairs.
I didn't use one for our first four, but we had a loft conversion before DS5 and moved up there with him and I happened to be given a baby monitor that I found useful then.

now our four oldest are up in the loft, we are back upstairs with DD so don't use it anymore.

[annielosthergun]

We have cats so have to keep the baby's room door shut when sleeping so for us it's essential - have a very basic one and it works well

[Sunnysummer]

We also have a 2 bed flat, and have never needed one. We didn't need one at the beginning, bought one when we moved DS into his own room at 7 months and really it hasn't been very useful - he is so noisy that we can hear he is okay when sleeping and definitely know when he is awake! I'd wait, if you do decide you need one you'll easily be able to get one on amazon in no time.

[laughingGnomette]

No, they are not absolutely necessary, especially for the first six months.

Past six months they can be useful though, especially if staying at other people's larger houses, also sometimes you'll want to watch a film or have people over and the noise could drown out crying. Also, it's usually easier to settle them if you hear them before they get to the loud crying stage.

I actually find the 'extra' functions our monitor provides the most useful. Being able to see what temperature his bedroom is when you're not in the same room is reassuring. I can also often (sadly not always) re-settle DS by talking to him over the monitor or putting on one of its lullabys without having to leave my chair/bed - what's not to like?!

[Foxeym]

I wouldn't bother, I'm on DS3 in a 3 bedroom house and have never had one, believe me when they cry, you hear it and this is from someone who used to sleep like the dead and not even hear my alarm in the morning!!