Monday

Which Baby Monitor Should You Buy?

By Jon Barrett

Parents looking to find a baby monitor may be in for a surprise when they find out that it's not as easy as it used to be to choose. If you were to look back to even just 10 years ago, you would probably find only a few choices for baby monitors which only offered a few features, but these days baby monitors can practically do just about anything (except changing your baby's diaper of course)! Maybe you are looking to have all of the latest high-tech gadgets, or you might simply want the most simple baby monitor out there; you really only need to use these tips to help you choose.

It's easy to feel overwhelmed, and no doubt it's stressful. You're right to want to stay alert about your baby when you're in other rooms, yet you may be having trouble knowing which system is best to use. You don't know what's a fair price. You could easily spend hours inside a store looking at all the different models and systems. It's easy for you to start feeling a bit frustrated and a little overwhelmed - but do not worry about it! In this article, you'll explore how to know when you've found the system that's just right for you.

What size monitor are you looking for? Some parents want something small and non obtrusive. If you have a larger home or more space available, then you may not mind having a larger machine. You should also take into account how you will personally be using the monitor, because if it's portable, you should remember that you will have to carry it around with you when you move from room to room, but also you risk leaving it behind in a room or forgetting about it if you often leave things behind. That is why it's important to assess these kinds of things, because you need to find a device which will work with your type of lifestyle and habits. In the end, lightweight options are best if you are planning on moving around a lot, however heavier and larger systems are good if you are only going to be using the monitor in one room.

You probably have friends and family members who have been parents; what brands do they use and trust? Which types of monitors have they had to throw out for being junk? Asking around and getting reviews can help you figure out which monitors are worth the money and which aren't. There is a possible bonus to this type of inquiry: you may receive a monitor as a gift from someone who is finished with theirs. In this case, you'd be saving yourself both time and money. Remember that when you ask about monitors, you want to know specifics. You don't want general answers that don't really tell you anything.

To what extent do you want to monitor your baby? Some parents feel the need to know everything that is occurring in a room while they are not in the room, and therefore want a system which can record every detail. But some parents simply find it too nerve racking to constantly be alerted of every little thing that happens, and just prefer a more simple system. But if you are looking for a system that has added monitoring to feel secure, you will want to look into systems which have audio and video features. Since more extensive systems can kill a lot of your time, because you will be sitting there watching them, some parents may choose to still go with a simple audio surveillance system instead of the full on system. Do not confuse your parenting abilities with the type of monitor you choose, because you are choosing this monitor to be able to leave the room and get tasks done, but also so that you can still take care of your child; so the monitor should be one that allows you to actually get your work done in the first place.

Do you live in a noisy environment? If you have other children, share your home with others, or work from home, you may want to consider that these sounds can easily drown out the noises of your baby, which is why you may want to opt for a visual indicator which will alert you when there is something directly related to your baby

Do your research. A good source of information about quality products is Consumer Reports, which rates everything. In such a publication or website you can compare different brands of monitors feature by feature and then make the best choice. With these type of reviews you can find out what brands truly represent the best value and which are overpriced or poor quality. If you really want to learn which products have the best performance record and give you the most value, these are types of reviews you should study. When you read these type of reports, you are getting unbiased information and not mere ads disguised as reviews. Many positive reviews you read online are on the company's site; these may only be giving you one side of the story.

This might sound like a small thing, but choose a system that will let you know when its batteries are running low. You'll need to remember to return your receiver to its docking station or switch batteries because you don't want your monitor to go out during the night. Hey, it will eliminate another worry in your life. There are obviously many choices for baby monitors; however all you need to do is narrow down your choices when you actually want to choose one, so that it does everything you need it to do in the end. Your final decision should include things like the shape/size, cost, functions, and other features. If you start shopping without thinking of what you really want or need, you could end up wasting a lot of your valuable time, just take your time and research before you start shopping

There are a lot of ways to choose which baby monitor is right for you and your family. You may pick the brand that has the most impressive list of features. You can rely on word of mouth to make your decision. You can research through consumer reporting agencies. By visiting a variety of websites you can find lots of product reviews. You can even simply start comparing features on the boxes when you are at the store. Just make sure that whatever you end up getting will be something that will put your mind at ease. Remember, you want something that can be trusted to protect your baby when you can't see him or her! This is one case where you don't want something that's second best!

About the Author:

Sports/Recreation Related Recalls