This is a sponsored guest post.
When it comes to our children’s safety, there are no lengths to which we won’t go. We administer their foods; we choose their schools; we even decide their bedtime! Yet, let’s face it; we cannot always be there to watch our children. Life and other responsibilities will always find a way to draw us away from our child.
This is why, in 1973, the Zenith Radio Nurse company changed the parenting game with the first automated baby monitor. This allowed parents and caretakers to keep a watchful eye on their children, even when they were in separate rooms.
Whether you’re a new parent or a seasoned one, here is everything you need to know about purchasing a baby monitor!
What Is a Baby Monitor?
The baby monitor, or baby alarm, is a radio-based system that remotely transmits the sounds of an infant’s cries to their parent.
By utilizing different radio baby monitor frequencies, a caretaker can use their receiver to tune into a child’s whereabouts. The main appeal is that a parent can do this while being in different areas of the home. This allows you to check on your child’s wellbeing without needing to leave the room!
Why Use A Baby Monitor?
A baby alarm is, at its core, intended to create a failsafe for an attentive parent. It’s a given truth that a child requires a constant, watchful eye; yet, it’s nearly impossible for a parent to always provide that – you do have to use the restroom at some point, after all.
Real life responsibilities, other tasks, and a need for private space will always create a spacial rift between child and parent. Through a baby monitor, a parent can bridge this divide. They can establish a continuous connection to their child that can be accessed whenever they want. Thus, a parent can accomplish the other tasks necessary to their life, while still keeping a watchful eye over their precious babe.
Types of Baby Monitors
There are multiple types of baby monitors. The four main categories are audio, video/audio, analog, and digital. Here are some of the benefits and drawbacks within these types!
- Audio
An audio monitor provides an auditory connection to your child’s whereabouts. This is the simplest of the types, and also tends to be the least expensive. If are looking for a no-fuss alarm that will alert you when your newborn is in need, then this is probably the purchase for you!
- Video/Audio
If you would prefer the peace of mind that a visual can provide, then this type of monitor may be for you. A video/audio monitor will capture your child’s every move with its built-in camera.
This tends to be a more expensive purchase, but many parents believe that it’s worth the investment. Some models even come equipped with infrared night vision, which can give you a clear visual of your baby as they sleep!
- Analog
The classic baby alarm model is an analog one. This entails a continuous signal that is submitted to the receiver in small portions. The receiver takes these small portions and recalibrates them to transmit the original signal.
Although this model is cost-efficient, it is also easily susceptible to interference. If you’re residing in a rural area, with few nearby neighbors, then an analog model might be perfect for you. Conversely, if you live in a densely populated area, you may want to think twice before purchasing analog.
- Digital
As we’ve entered into modernity, many baby monitor companies rely on digital technology to outfit their products. This technology tends to be more secure and successful in its transmission. This is due to the fact that a digital monitor transmits data through encryption. Once this data arrives, the receiver will unpack the code and transmit the audio or video. This decryption process ensures that the data will be sent only to the receiver, and to no one else!
Although this model is more on the expensive side, the technology is less susceptible to interference. In fact, the digital model is the most secure connection on the market and is perfect for parents who need that security. If you live in a city with hundreds of warning signals, then a digital monitor may be just right for your needs.