At what point do I need baby monitors?

[Ladypug]

I won't need these to start with as baby will always be with me, right?

Technically you are correct, baby should nap in the same room as you so you wouldn't need one immediately.

Ours has a two way talk function so in the early days I use it to get dh to bring me stuff when I got stuck in bed breastfeeding. Easier than shouting down the stairs.

We had one from day one, but only as we were given them by a friend. And DS was never asleep in a different room. However they've actually been more useful now he's nearly five and we live in a house where his room is the loft conversion - great for hearing him refuse to go to sleep

I had one from day one, after DH had gone back to work it was handy to have when I nipped in for a shower (DS in Moses in my bedroom).

I had a monitor with an apnea mat from day one. Not worth the risk of not having one imo.

We didn't use ours until 6 months.

Didn't use ours til 5 months when DS went into his own room.

We didn't buy one until DS was six months old, as he was always with us. After that we started to use one so we could put him in his cot to sleep while we were still up.

Never used one with dc2. He was in with us until 6months. After that he was loud enough to not need one
I don't think there is any evidence that the breathing sensor mats actually protect babies but I'm sure they provide reassurance to parents so it's a personal decision (I think they'd have made me anxious as id be waiting for it to go off/they have false alarms once baby can move).

We used ours from day one home for the heartbeat sensor. We were always planning on using it but DD was in the NICU so it was even more important to me as we were used to get being very monitored.

You are meant to have them sleep in the same room as you until six months but it really depends on the baby. Ours you have to tiptoe round whilst she's asleep so putting her upstairs after about 4 months was necessary, having a video monitor with the heartbeat sensor felt much better.

We used one for when they were asleep upstairs early evening, not sure what age - 3 or 4 months? But actually you can hear them cry without one so they are not that essential!

Never used it (received as a gift). We live in a 4 bed house and the only place in the house I couldn't hear him was the utility room when the door was shut and the washing machine on.

I never used one at all with 3 children. They cry loud enough for me to hear them.

with PFB I used the sensor mat one from the start, otherwise kept waking to check he's still breathing. Really needed it from about 4 months, when he started to refuse to nap downstairs.
Haven't used it with DC2 yet (almost 3 months)

We didn't use ours until 6 months so I wouldn't get one until then as if it breaks you have less of the guarantee

Didn't use one until 6 months.

Depends what your house is like I think. With ds I didn't bother as the layout of our flat meant that we could hear him without the monitors. I had a set that were given to me but ended up just not using them .

I never used one and neither did most people I know. As far as I know they don't actually have any safety benefits they are just something that some people like to use.

I never had one with any of mine (4 DC). I just don't like them. No regrets.

Never used them. DC3 is 8 weeks and trust me, he is loud!

Unless you have an enormous house I don't think you need one. Babies are loud!

I was just about to say what What wolfiefan said!

Never used them.
Two DC in with us until about 8 months then in their own rooms , I would wake up at the first wriggle/ moan . I think it's mothers instinct to have supersonic hearing when it comes to your children!

I used one with a sensor from when DS1 was in his own room at about 9 months. But we were in a tiny house and it wasn't really needed. Was very anxious and was more about the breathing monitor.

Will use one in this house with Ds2 from when baby is asleep on his own as due to the size and shape and thick walls, you really can't hear much from upstairs if you're downstairs (Ds1 tries to test that theory regularly)

Baby screaming at the top of his voice is indeed loud. But by the time DS got to fully screaming, he was also wide awake and took ages to settle. If I just heard him whining, often a pat on the back was all he needed.

Never used one