| A baby monitor is an essential purchase for | | | | in the current conditions. |
| expectant parents, as it will give you the peace | | | | The more modern monitors, like so much else |
| of mind of being able to check on your sleeping | | | | these days, use digital technology. What this |
| baby wherever you are in your home. | | | | means in practice is a clearer signal, and an |
| Unfortunately, these monitors are the kind of | | | | increased range of operation. |
| device which you are unlikely to have any | | | | Those are the basics of audio monitors, but there |
| experience of until the time comes when you | | | | are other features available depending on the |
| need one, and it can be difficult to know which | | | | model. A popular one is an intercom or talkback |
| type to buy. | | | | system where you can talk to your baby through |
| There are three basic kinds of monitor: audio, | | | | the monitor, helping you to soothe her back to |
| video, and movement or breathing. | | | | sleep without the disturbance of going into the |
| The audio monitor is the most popular kind, and | | | | nursery. Other models may have nightlights or |
| at its most basic consists of a transmitter that | | | | lullabies which you can set to play either |
| you place in your baby's nursery, and a receiver | | | | automatically or by hand, again without entering |
| that lets you 'listen in', alerting you if your baby | | | | the room, while another common feature is |
| starts to cry or otherwise shows signs of waking. | | | | temperature alerts where you can see how |
| The very cheapest modules will have a fixed | | | | warm the nursery is, and be alerted if it falls |
| receiver that needs to be plugged into a wall | | | | outside a safe range. |
| socket for power, but most models nowadays | | | | For most people, an audio monitor is sufficient, |
| have a rechargable mobile receiver which you can | | | | but some people value the extra security of |
| carry from room to room, or even outside so | | | | having a video monitor where you can actually |
| long as you stay in range. | | | | see your baby on a TV screen built into the |
| The range of your monitor system will depend on | | | | receiver. If you decide to get a video monitor, |
| a number of factors, including the construction of | | | | make sure it has night vision capability, or it won't |
| your home - thicker walls will reduce the range - | | | | be much use when it's dark! |
| and any sources of interference such as | | | | For complete reassurance that your baby is |
| neighbouring monitor systems, computer wireless | | | | slepping safely, you can also get a breathing and |
| networks, and even microwave ovens with some | | | | movement monitor. This consists of a pressure |
| models. | | | | pad placed under the cot mattress, which will |
| Interference is less of a problem these days, as | | | | sense if your baby stops breathing or shows |
| most models will now let you select from a range | | | | other signs of distress, and alert you immediately. |
| of channels to operate on, so if you do encounter | | | | The final point to consider when choosing a |
| interference problems, you can switch to a new | | | | monitor system is price. The range is enormous, |
| channel to hopefully clear things up. Some units | | | | from only a few dollars up to a few hundred. For |
| only feature two or four channels which you have | | | | something as essential as a monitor though, it's |
| to manually select, while the more advanced | | | | worth getting the best model you can afford, as |
| designs now have hundreds of channels which will | | | | after all, if the system doesn't work well and you |
| be selected automatically to minimize interference | | | | can't trust it, then it's effectively a waste of time. |