Functions and purpose of a baby monitor
The device performs a number of functions. Parents themselves choose what is more important to them. Someone buys a simple device that will give a signal when a child cries. And some people choose additional functions that make caring for their baby easier.
Thermometer
Some baby monitor samples show the temperature in the children's room. Its value is displayed on the parent block. In the device menu you can enter the maximum and minimum temperatures and monitor the alert. The thermometer itself is installed on the children's unit.
Humidity sensor
This is a great helper for mom who will remind her to change her diaper. The humidity sensor, attached to the diaper at one end, is completely safe for the child and does not interfere with his movement. The other end connects to the baby power supply.
There are air humidity sensors, but they are used less often; for parents, an ear or a wet diaper is more important.
Presence function
The baby monitor emits a signal at a certain distance. If by chance the parental unit is far from you, the signal sent will indicate the place where you need to return to continue monitoring the baby.
You can connect a breathing monitor. This is when a sensor is attached under the mattress and tracks every movement and records the baby's breathing. The monitor will immediately notify you if it does not detect fluctuations within 20 seconds. This is necessary when a newborn baby and the mother urgently need to go to another room.
One way or two way communication
Two-way communication, when parents not only hear, but can walk with the baby from a distance. This makes communication easier; when the child grows up, the baby monitor can be used as a walkie-talkie.
When parents do not want to buy an expensive device with many functions, they can purchase a baby monitor with one-way communication. Information that the baby has woken up arrives at the unit, the parents go to the nursery, it is no longer possible to talk from a distance here, you have to run to calm them down.
Built-in ringtones
To make it easier for mothers, there are baby monitors with built-in lullabies. Music is regulated from the adult unit. While the child is awake, they play calm music and a lullaby before bed. And mom can cook food in the kitchen at this time.
Visual reception sensors
Such sensors are used so as not to disturb the peace of other family members. Perhaps there are guests in the house, or other children are learning lessons, crying from the nursery will not be heard. Visual sensors will turn off the sound, and special indicator lights will blink to indicate the baby is crying. You need to install the unit in a visible place so as not to miss the signals from the light bulbs. This is convenient when mom washes or cooks; extraneous noises won’t interfere.
What types of baby monitors are there?
Today, children's stores offer a wide range of “babyphones” in different price categories. The more expensive the baby monitor, the more interesting options it has.
Parents just have to decide which features they really need:
1 Baby monitors with a night light are especially popular. If the baby begins to make noise, the device turns on low lighting so that when the child wakes up, he will not be afraid of the dark.
2 There are baby monitors that can transmit an alarm to the parent unit if the child's breaths become less frequent than usual.
Such a device is a must-have for a child suffering from breathing or heart problems.
3 Incredibly, some baby monitors can put your baby to sleep themselves!
Children's units in such devices are equipped with a filmstrip mechanism - pictures will change on the ceiling above the baby's crib along with lullabies.
4 There are baby monitors with feedback. Manufacturers of modern models have achieved fairly clear sound transmission, so that the baby recognizes the mother’s voice, and perhaps it will be possible to calm the baby down without even going into the nursery.
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5 A separate type of baby monitors is video baby monitors. They transmit not only voice, but also pictures, so you can constantly monitor everything that happens in the children's room.
6 Some baby monitors can be used not only while the baby is sleeping, but also during games. For example, the device can be equipped with a development complex, and the body is made in the shape of a cartoon character.
7 Important! The most important pricing factor is broadcast frequency. The higher it is, the safer the device is for the child, and the more expensive it is, accordingly.
Do not skimp on your child’s health and give preference to devices with a broadcast purity of at least 8 MHz.
Types of baby monitors
The device, which helps monitor the behavior of the child in the crib, is being improved by manufacturers; the functions of the device are becoming more modern and reliable.
Depending on the type of signal, baby monitors can be digital or analog.
Digital baby monitor
A device with a signal that is encrypted for other radios. The sound is very clear, without interference. The noise of the vacuum cleaner being turned on does not affect it. The device has over 10 channels. If one does not accept the connection, then another one replaces it and the baby monitor does not fail.
The digital device has many additional functions to facilitate monitoring of the child, which are mentioned above.
Conclusion - many functions, the signal sound is cleaner, but expensive.
Analog baby monitor
In such a device, the frequency of signal reception from the nursery may be affected by extraneous noise in the apartment. When household appliances are running, parents may not hear the baby's voice.
Since the signal is not encrypted, such a baby monitor can easily turn into a listening device. If someone is talking near the receiver, another radio picks up the signal with the voice of the person speaking.
Conclusion - the device is easy to operate, costs less, but is sensitive to interference.
By food type
The device can be battery operated or rechargeable. Depending on this, the baby monitor is equipped with a charger or an electrical adapter. If the device is battery-powered, then buy a battery, since the batteries will have to be changed often, and this is a big expense, the device works almost constantly.
What is important when buying a baby monitor
Manufacturers offer a large selection of devices that help mothers do housework, relax, and at the same time keep control of what happens to the child in the nursery. What to consider when choosing a device:
- range of the baby monitor;
- power supply;
- alert signal;
- additional options.
The distance at which the device fully operates is chosen depending on the housing and the expected interference. Signals are transmitted over distances from 30 m to 800 m or more. The signal coverage radius is indicated on the packaging. You need to know that this value is calculated for an open area, without interference.
The baby monitor with the largest signal radius is chosen for use in the country. There the child spends a lot of time in the fresh air, perhaps sleeping in a stroller or playing on the playground. The sensor will promptly inform you that mother's help is needed.
Do you need a baby monitor?
The issue of purchasing a device such as a baby monitor should be decided by each family individually, since everything depends on the need to purchase the gadget. If a family lives in a one-room apartment, where it is always possible to hear their child without using the device, then the meaning of this device immediately disappears by itself.
It’s a completely different matter when it comes to two- and three-room apartments, houses or cottages, townhouses, where the rooms are located on different floors, there is a lot of space and parents can be away from their child. In such cases, it will be very difficult to do without a baby monitor, because you need to constantly monitor the child, and due to the fact that there are many rooms in the house, you have to move from one to another, do things, and at the same time you need to monitor your newborn.
How to choose a baby monitor based on the alert signal
The main purpose of the device is to instantly transmit a signal from the nursery to the parent unit. This is implemented in three ways:
- vibration signal;
- sound notification;
- light signal.
Each of them was discussed above. If you use one signal, you can miss it due to some reason. It is advisable to combine all 3 types. The vibration signal is considered the most reliable. The baby monitor is attached to the arm, placed in a pocket, and then the vibration is difficult to miss. This device option will greatly help parents with hearing loss.
Be sure to pay attention to whether or not there is a device charge level signal.
Installation and rules for using a baby monitor
Before you start using the device, be sure to read the instructions on how the baby monitor works; each model has its own rules for the location of the device and its connection:
- First, check the operation of the device in one room. When the units are turned on, make sure the quality of the signal, that there is no interference and the batteries are working.
- Adjust the volume on the device itself.
- Install the baby unit from the child at a distance of 1-3 meters.
- The microphone is strictly directed towards the crib.
- Check the charge of the batteries and monitor them throughout the entire period of operation and charge them promptly.
- If the device is powered from the mains, then the adapter and the wire itself are securely hidden from the baby’s eyes so that he cannot reach them.
Why is a baby monitor dangerous?
As we have already said, the exchange of information between the children's unit and the parents' unit occurs via radio waves. On sale you can find baby monitors with a critical broadcast frequency of 5 MHz and below.
But even with a broadcast frequency of 8 MHz, the device emits a strong electromagnetic field (EMF), under the influence of which a child’s unprotected body spends up to 12 hours every day!
To make sure that the radiation is huge, it is enough to measure the radiation near the baby monitor and in other places in the room.
Believe me, the radiation level will be 1000 times higher than normal.
First of all, the baby’s nervous and immune systems are vulnerable.
EMR (electromagnetic radiation) heats tissues, affects intercellular metabolism and, often, becomes the cause of oncology.
It is also not useful for parents to wear the receiver in close proximity to the body.
But if the effect of EMR on an adult manifests itself in irritability, insomnia, and increased blood pressure, then the child cannot report his well-being in any way except by crying.
It is precisely this kind of “unreasonable” crying, morning lethargy, bad mood and apathy that is a serious signal for parents - this means that instead of proper rest, the baby’s body and nervous system are struggling with EMR.
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EMR damage tends to accumulate over a long period of time.
The American Academy of Pediatricians and the Canadian Society of Pediatricians insist that for full development, children under 2 years of age must be completely protected from EMR.
As studies conducted by scientists from two countries have shown, stimulating a baby’s brain with electromagnetic waves in 49% of cases leads to the development of behavioral deviations, and in 34% to problems with memory, attention, and the ability to communicate.
Children exposed to radiation are characterized by mood swings, weakened immunity, and frequent colds.
Top best baby monitors
- Philips was named the favorite manufacturer of devices that help parents . AVENT models are of excellent quality. More advanced with DECT technology, protected from interference and eavesdropping.
- TOMY DIGITAL company produces baby monitors of equally excellent quality, with a reliable signal and a number of necessary additional functions.
- There are several other manufacturers, such as Chicco , Brevi Baby Monitor , and others. If your financial situation allows, then take a closer look at the models of these manufacturers.
- You don’t always have the finances for an expensive baby monitor, then you can choose the Maman . This is an analog device, of course of lower quality, but if the apartment is small, it will make monitoring the baby quite easy.
In fact, the price of any device is acceptable and will justify itself. The cost of a baby monitor ranges from 2-6 thousand rubles. If you want to not only receive a signal when a baby is crying, buy a video baby monitor, they are more expensive. There you can control your actions with greater reliability. On the screen you can see how the baby behaves.
