To buy or not to buy a baby monitor is a tough decision to make. Now those who have already bought and used it have their own different set of decisions to take. For starters, when to stop using baby monitor?- a question thrown at me every now and then by parents. There’s seriously no definitive answer to this. It’s partly up to you and party up to the baby’s maturity level.
The Right Time to Stop Using a Baby Monitor
Baby monitors are a great specimen of modern marvel. It helps you to be at the beck and call of your little one whenever he is crying, needs night feeding or up to some mischief.
In general cases, babies develop the habit of sleeping peacefully throughout the night by the age of 6 months. By this time, their cries are also loud enough to be heard from another room. There’s nothing to worry about short wakings during the night time.
It’s quite normal for babies to make noises while sleeping. Every single time he sneezes, coughs a little or simply sighs, you don’t need to dash off to his room. Doing so will do more harm than good. It might disturb him and deter him from completing a straight 8-9 hours of snoozing.
Some babies simply don’t cry out loud. Sometimes he might be up to something insanely naughty such as tossing his diaper in the air. Other times, he might need you to help him with something. I don’t expect all 6-months-old or younger babies to communicate their needs to their parents. In another scenario, you might happen to live in a huge house with high ceilings and massively thick walls. No matter how loud your baby can cry, you might still want to use that monitor until he is old enough to come to you for help.
So what are our main takeaways from the above discussion?
To know when to stop using baby monitor, ask yourself?
- Is my baby able to sleep without needing night feedings or waking up too frequently?
- Can he/she cry out loud in case she gets hurts or something similar?
- Am I able to hear his cry loud and clear from my room?
- Is my kid capable of coming to my room on his own whenever he needs my help or company?
If the answer of any or all of the above questions is a Yes, then it is the right time to stop using a baby monitor.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. Not all babies are created equal. Some require more constant monitoring than others for various reasons including physical. Don’t be afraid to use a monitor for 5 to 6 years if really needed.
Do I Really Need to Buy a Baby Monitor?
Just like the previous question, I have been bombarded with this query umpteen times. I can totally understand how new parents can be quite freaked out about things like this. Unlike the previous question is kind of doesn’t have a definitive answer, this one sure has. All we need to do is consider a couple of factors that will determine whether a baby monitor is necessary or not.
Baby monitors are an absolute essential if-
- If you wish to put your baby in a separate room.
- You have twins whom you want to keep in two different rooms.In fact, there are specially designed baby monitors for twins available today.
- Have multiple babies to look after in separate rooms upstairs or far away from your own room.
- If you are traveling with your baby and you want to keep a constant eye on them during your stay in a hotel. In that case, you should choose a baby monitor specially designed for traveling purpose.
But having twins or having to look after kids in two separate rooms can’t be the sole reason to buy a baby monitor. I want you to consider a few other factors before making up your mind.
Here they go:
Where is the baby going to sleep?
You don’t need a baby monitor if the crib is in your room, that’s a no-brainer. When you do need a monitor is if you are putting the crib in a different room. Unless he is at least 3-6 months old, you might not be able to hear his cry.
Also, children younger than 3 months wake frequently during nap time and some require night feeding. So, in this case, having a baby monitor will always help you be at your little one’s service and also, give him proper sleep training.
There’s one more reason to invest in a monitor if your munchkins struggle to fall asleep. Many upscale models these days have sensor pads that can be installed under the baby mattress. It will alert you as soon as they start moving.
When I am talking about a different room, take into account how far is the baby’s room from yours and the size of your house. In a small apartment where rooms are close by, you really don’t need a monitor to hear your baby’s cry.
Keeping Tabs on Their Activities
It’s not easy being a parent while managing your home and work at the same time. No matter whether your offspring is a one-month-old infant or a preschooler, they do require supervision during playtime.
For it’s very easy for infants and toddlers to swallow a tiny toy or get themselves hurt while playing in his room. If you are out for shopping or in your office, a baby monitor will help you keep an eye on him.
There are many devices that allow you to get a live view of your kid’s room via phone apps from anywhere. Imagine what a blessing it would be for a parent who has to live far away from his/her, forced to leave the baby to granny’s or another relative’s house.
Also, ask yourself whether you are a deep sleeper. If yes and your baby is in another room, buying a baby monitor is justified.
Wrap up
The only person who can rightly answer these two baby monitor FAQs is you. Not me, not your neighbor, not the benevolent aunt who lives a hundred miles away. If you think monitoring your baby is essential to ensure your child’s well-being, get one. Stop using it when he is old (and loud) to ask for your help.
Stay well. Thanks for reading.
