Baby Monitors

Baby monitors are a fairly new tool in baby care. They can be very handy in a large dwelling, or a multi-level house. Many people feel an extra measure of security having a baby monitor, while some folks who live in smaller houses or apartments don’t experience the same need. Regardless of the size of your home, here are a few facts to consider if you look into monitoring systems.

You should keep in mind that analog baby monitors can operate on the same frequency as some cordless phones and several different household appliances, such as your microwave. Also, if you have neighbors who are located quite close-by, their baby monitor, if it is runs on the same common frequency, can hear your baby and vice versa. To avoid this problem, some people buy digital monitors where there is less interference; these digital systems can be pricey. Consumer Reports rates the best baby monitors as the Philips SCD 589 at a cost of $200.00 and the less expensive Graco Monitor at $90.00.

Consumer Reports seems to doubt the necessity of motion sensors to monitor the baby, as household pets can activate the system by walking into or past the room. Consumer Reports suggests shutting the door in such cases.

Many of the features of the different video systems, though, are hard to beat. Health Check Systems.com displays fifteen different monitoring systems. Baby Quiet Sound from Summer Infant has infra-red LEDs for night viewings or in a dark room.

Quite a few models offer hand held monitors, and the new Philips DECT unit guarantees zero interference from nearby monitors or other devices in and around the home. Philips also offers a unit with a pair of hand held monitors so both parents can carry one. Also included are belt clips for handy portability.

SVAT color night vision systems suggest their product is not only for monitoring babies, but is effective for the monitoring for older parents. The $399.00 SVAT includes a built-in DVR that allows for the use of memory cards for recording storage and data portability. It will hold one hour of video.

Finally, Health Check Systems offers the classic, infamous teddy bear monitor. This is the camera hidden in an innocuous, fuzzy, teddy bear. Many an abusive babysitter or nanny has been busted thanks to that watchful bear. It is a sad commentary that devices such as that need to be employed sometimes, but it is a very good thing that it is available if and when we, heaven forbid, should ever need the use of it.