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Do You Need a Baby Monitor?
May 9, 2012
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When
preparing for the arrival of a new baby, expectant parents tend to
focus on the pregnancy and everything that comes with it -- ultrasounds,
the need for maternity clothes and maternity dresses,
medical appointments, reading up on the baby’s development and changes
for the mother, as well as arranging finances and preparing for
maternity leave.
As
the time to welcome your new baby draws closer, much preparation is
required and so many pieces of equipment, furniture and clothing need to
be obtained. The immediately obvious items -- such as prams, cots and
car travel systems -- come to mind quickly, but other things are
commonly considered later down the track. A baby monitor is a good
example of this.
Naturally,
many parents want to ensure their precious little one is as safe,
secure and comfortable as possible and, to this end, parents devote
attention to the necessary tangible items, as well as settling
techniques and sleeping aids. Some parents see a baby monitor as a
standard piece of equipment, important in the homes of all babies,
whereas as others view them as a non-essential item -- it really depends
on your personal situation and living arrangement.
Why have a baby monitor?
Monitor your child:
A number of parents choose to have a baby monitor so that it may serve
as an extra ‘set of eyes’ on their child, for when they are not in the
room. Ultimately, for parents who are concerned, a baby monitor offers
peace of mind and helps them to feel their child really is safe.
Large homes:
For people that reside in large homes, baby monitors can be
particularly useful and important. In large homes, including those with
multiple storeys, it can be difficult to hear your child when you are
far from the room that they are in. In the first few months of life, a
child cries because it needs something, and crying is the only means
they have to express that something is wrong. Given this, numerous
parents find great peace of mind in knowing that they can always hear
when their child needs them.
Medical issues:
For babies that are unwell or have a medical problem, a baby monitor
is not just useful, but essential. Many different monitors, utilising
different technologies and capabilities, exist today with some
specifically developed to monitor a baby and quickly alert the parents
or carers in the event of a problem.
Freedom:
A number of parents enjoy the freedom that baby monitors afford them.
With the comfort of a baby monitor, parents feel more able and more
confident to enjoy their own time away from (but near enough to) the
baby, knowing that they will be able to hear if the baby needs
assistance.
Why not to have a baby monitor?
Attuned hearing and instincts:
Some mothers testify that, following the birth of their baby, they
develop a ‘third ear’ or especially sensitive hearing, which allows them
to hear even the mildest murmurings and stirrings of their baby. Often,
these mothers are able to identify their baby’s cries even when many
other babies are nearby.
Breastfeeding:
Although some mothers love to hear every sound their baby makes and/or
watch what their child is doing in a different room via video, others
are aware that constantly hearing their child can over-stimulate their
milk production and lead to problems such as leakage and pain. In this
instance, some mothers choose a baby monitor that features the option of
lights as a signal, rather than noise.
Let your baby learn to self-soothe:
While newborn babies definitely cry because they need something, older
babies generally benefit developmentally from learning to soothe
themselves and play alone in their cot or crib. With use of a baby
monitor, some parents will immediately rush in to see what their child
needs when it may be perfectly reasonable to leave them on their own for
a while.
Small homes:
Particularly in units, flats and apartments, rooms are close together
and/or quite small. In such living situations, it is not difficult to
hear a baby crying.
Expense:
Some baby monitors are expensive and, unless one can be borrowed or
otherwise acquired cheaply, a number of parents opt not to have one or
to wait and see if one is really necessary for them.
The
decision of whether or not a baby monitor is needed is a very personal
one that largely depends on your living situation and needs. For some
people, a baby monitor is an essential item, while for others it is not
so vital.
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