To buy a baby monitor or not? That's the million-dollar question many of you with new bubs will be grappling with. With so many baby monitors on the market, you're spoilt for choice.
But do you even need one? How do they work? And which one is best for you and your baby? To make the decision easier, we've chatted to three sleep consultants to get their thoughts on baby monitors (because like with any other parenting decision, things are never simple!)
Before we hear from them, let's dive into the basics of baby monitors.
What kind of baby monitors are there?
1. Track your baby's heart rate and oxygen levels: technology has brought a whole generation of high-tech baby monitors to us. The popular Owlet is the first "baby monitor to track your baby's heart rate and oxygen levels, notifying parents only when they leave pre-set levels”. Some parents describe this baby monitor as a must-have for peace of mind and a good night's sleep.
2. Full video monitors: Tired of making endless trips to your baby's room in the middle of the night? Video baby monitors allow you to keep an eye on your baby's movements and noises. Some of the most popular video monitoring systems out there offer really cool features. These include motion activated alerts, temperature sensor, soothing sounds, 'walkie talkies' so you can comfort your baby and remote viewing, with the capacity to see your baby from all angles.
3. Movement monitors: as the name suggests, this type of baby monitor detects movement and is used by parents to alleviate anxiety, especially if they have babies with a medical issue.
4. Audio only monitors: want to know when your baby's crying or making some other unusual noises? Sound-based baby monitors used to be the only option before video monitors came into the scene. They can be particularly helpful if you're sleep training.
Do health professionals recommend baby monitors?
Donna Moala, a sleep consultant from Bub2sleep, says baby monitors can definitely help anxious parents get some much needed and deserved sleep. However, while all monitors are useful to some degree, she says it's a personal choice whether you opt for one or not.
“The first resort is to create a dark room for sleep times. This helps bub's melatonin levels to rise, which in turn helps them get to sleep and stay asleep. If you do want to have a baby monitor, I believe the Owlet is by far the top of the range.
Steph Gouin, a sleep consultant, Registered Nurse and founder of Sleep by Steph, agreed that while baby monitors are very popular, the decision to purchase one was personal to each family.
“Common reasons for getting one include peace of mind and therefore a more restful night’s sleep, parent's anxiety (especially first-time parents), when the baby is born early or has health issues, or because the nursery is at the other end of the house,” she said.
However, Steph cautioned there was a risk of mums become unhealthily attached to their baby monitors and never getting a proper break from “mother duties”.
Jen Cuttriss of Sleep.Thrive.Grow Consulting said she has seen the reassurance that baby monitors can provide to parents for varying reasons, she has used a video baby monitor for her first two children, but not her last.
Jen said she recommends purchasing a baby monitor with dimmable lights and video monitors that can be turned off between viewing to minimise disruption to parents’ sleep. She also said, “it’s vitally important that safe sleep practices are continued alongside monitor use.”
What other mums say
Lisa, Mum of two from Melbourne said that she had a baby monitor for both her children. “for me it was just peace of mind and I think I was more relaxed knowing that I would hear them when they woke. Though for our first baby, I was definitely keen to get one. I was anxious already about everything, so I didn’t think about whether I needed one or not, I just got it! It was a mandatory part of my nursery set up!”.
“When I was a first-time parent, I felt a bit anxious about everything so purchased a baby monitor. As it turned out, I think I slept better as a result, (when I got an opportunity to sleep that is!)”, says Colleen, Mum of two, based in Sydney.
Karen is a Mum of two from Sydney and felt that a sleep monitor was beneficial, as she could close the door to the rest of the noise in the house, or hang out the washing or do other things around the house while being able to hear her bub at the same time. “It was peace of mind for me.” She said*.
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* Baby monitors are not medical devices. They are only intended to assist you in tracking a baby’s well-being and do not replace parents as caregivers.
