To Buy Or Not To Buy: Is A Baby Monitor Necessary?

Having a baby is arguably the most life-changing event people will go through. Even the simple act of going grocery shopping transforms and becomes exponentially more challenging – not only are you ticking items off your shopping list; you're also working hard to keep bub entertained so they don't fuss!

Indeed, most, if not all, parts of your life will change from the very moment your precious little one is born - in fact, likely even before that! It's no secret that it can take a good amount of time to settle into being parents to a newborn, especially if it's your very first.

One of the common yet herculean tasks that all new parents struggle with is nap time! Aside from desperately trying to lull them to dreamland, parents are faced with extreme worry and uncertainty over the safety of their child. As such, after putting bub down for a well-needed nap, they'll constantly get up and check on the baby to make sure they're doing fine. To assuage their worries, there is a handy dandy tool that can help make everything so much easier: a baby monitor. For urban parents who are constantly moving around in Singapore, a baby monitor is one of the essential items to pick up and place in your child's nursery.

There are several fantastic benefits to buying a baby monitor.

The main highlight of a baby monitor is its ability to provide you with easy access to check in on your bundle of joy whenever you want. For new or working parents, not being physically present may incur a lot of anxious thoughts. Whilst it may not put those worries to a stop, a baby monitor can help ease a bit of that worry by letting you know if your baby is resting peacefully or otherwise, and at any time, anywhere. You can finally put your mind at ease.

Aside from assuaging your worst fears, keeping a close eye on your baby also helps to avoid any potential, dangerous issues from happening. Suppose you're at another part of your house but have left your child alone for a moment to explore, learn, and grow. You saw your child playing with a sharp object through the baby monitor. This will prompt you to rush to wherever your little one is and confiscate the item before your baby can harm themselves. Beyond keeping them physically safe, you can also check and see how your bub deals with a range of situations, such as emotions, conflict, and more. You will then have an inkling of when to intervene and when to leave them alone.

A baby monitor doesn't just help your baby, but it helps you too! They offer an additional benefit that can pose as a much-needed aid as you struggle through the difficult process of sleep training. A baby monitor is a great way to keep tabs on your baby while they sleep. Since all babies wake during the night in between sleep cycles, a baby monitor can inform you whether your baby is just between sleep cycles but is able to fall back asleep on their own, or if she may need you or your partner to ensure that they're safe and comfortable. In the former scenario, the monitor can help prevent you from disrupting your baby's normal sleep cycle, which helps to give you an additional shut-eye. Several monitors even have white noise and lullaby features to help ease the process! As for the latter, certain baby monitors have features that will inform you if your baby is suspiciously still while it's sleeping, and you can check on your baby immediately to ensure that they're safe.

Moreover, since your little one isn't able to self-soothe, every whimper and cry means something - a diaper change, time for breastfeeding, or a couple of soothing pats to guide them back to sleep. With a baby monitor, you can do whatever is necessary to soothe your baby.

It's important to note that parents should not be confused and use a baby monitor as a replacement for a parent, especially when your child needs somebody to comfort them. Even with features like white noise, a baby monitor can only do so much to soothe a fussy baby. This is where a parent needs to step in and help them immediately regulate their emotions and behaviours while teaching them the skills to do so independently.

The best part? A baby monitor won't become obsolete even when your little one has grown up - all of these benefits will continue to stay even when your baby becomes a toddler. It can still be used to supervise your child (keep an eye out on the terrible twos!) and, with audio and video features, can help reassure your little one that their parents aren't ever far away.

There are a few different variations of baby monitors available, each with its own advantages. Read on to learn a bit about each option and discover some of the best baby monitors in each category.

The most budget-friendly of the bunch, audio baby monitors work like a walkie-talkie. The sound transmits through airwaves at specific frequencies. To communicate, both monitors typically need to be close enough and tune to the same channel.

Here are two of the best baby monitors in the audio category:

Medel Mebby Baby Audio Monitor: extreme sensitive sound sensor, wireless, range up to 300 metres, alerts the user if the range is exceeded or if there are any interferences, eco mode

Philips Avent SCD580/01 Audio Baby Monitor: indoor range up to 50 metres, outdoor range up to 330 metres, comforting night light and lullabies to calm the baby, DECT technology guarantees zero interference & 100% privacy, automatically energy-saving smart eco mode, monitor the temperature in the baby's room

Opting for a video monitor means you can actually see and hear your baby during the day and at night. With a video feature, you can observe your baby's visual cues, and not miss out on any of your baby's interesting quirks. On that note, you may want to consider buying more than one video receiver so that you can check in on how your little one's doing in various parts of your home.

When it comes to video baby monitors, picture quality is key. Image resolution and night vision are two aspects you might want to address when picking one. Here are two quality models that excel in both:

Beaba Zen+ Video Monitor: auto-rotating camera with infrared led and movement detectors and panoramic with night vision, multi-functional (walkie-talkie, thermometer, alarm, mealtime timer, lullabies), indoor range up to 30 metres, outdoor range up to 250 metres

Philips Avent Video Baby Monitor SCD833/05: private, secure connection with adaptive FHSS technology, walkie-talkie & comforting lullabies to calm the baby, indoor range up to 50 metres, outdoor range up to 300 metres

Take it a step further and opt for a smart baby monitor! Using a baby monitor app on your smartphone or other devices which run in conjunction with a Wifi monitor allows you to see how they're doing no matter where you are. These are especially popular with working parents who have a caretaker looking after your bundle of joy; it's simply a matter of opening the baby monitor app while you're at work, and there they are!

Here's a fantastic Wifi monitor option to consider:

Beaba Zen Connect Video Monitor: sound and motion detection with alarm, multiple functions (walkie-talkie, thermometer, receive push notifications, plays lullabies), connects to a dedicated mobile app (android and ios mobile phones), unlimited scope via a wifi connection at 2.4ghz, allows camera sharing access to multiple phones, saves photos, videos, and data on the cloud with 128g max

On the other side of the coin, a few reasons deter parents from purchasing a baby monitor. The most obvious one being that there is a constant caretaker to take care of your little one. Having somebody who can give the baby their fullest attention and care simply makes a baby monitor obsolete.

In the same vein, baby monitors may not be required if you have a security system installed in your home. Often, security systems already come with audio and video features that you can tap into to monitor your baby through those instead.

Aside from practical reasons, perhaps having excess accessibility may be too much of a good thing! Having continuous access to your child may subconsciously encourage you to check up on them more than necessary. This may translate to a higher level of stress, snowballing into a bad quality of sleep.

When you've made the decision on which model you're interested in, whether it be a Philips Avent baby monitor, Beaba Zen+ or otherwise, the next step is to identify and practise safety tips.

First, it's recommended that you place baby monitors with cords at least three feet from your child's sleeping or playing area, be it a crib, cotbed or something else. They must not be able to reach it.

It's also important to recognise that even the best baby monitors should never be seen as a substitute for in-person supervision. While they can be immensely helpful for a number of great reasons as discussed earlier in this article, they cannot replace parental supervision.

Be sure to physically check on your baby because there are some things baby monitors won't be able to pick up, such as fevers.

At Mothercare Singapore, baby monitors of the highest quality are just the beginning of what is on offer. As the go-to retail outlet for mother and baby products in Singapore, you'll also find a wide range of products for your parenting needs, including babycare essentials, nursery must-haves as well as baby fashion.

A Digital Nursery Advisor also offers complimentary expert advice and information to help you on your parenting journey. With their help, you'll be equipped with all the essentials before bringing bub home for the first time. To leverage their services, you can reach out to them by WhatsApp.

So shop online with the most trusted brand for mother and baby at Mothercare — you're certain to find exactly the products you're after, and at fantastic prices too. And with free delivery on any order of $60 or more, why not stock up and save?

If you'd rather see the products in person, that's absolutely understandable. Find your nearest Mothercare store in Singapore and head in to browse the huge selection of great products today.