Baby Alarms

New Zealand Baby Alarms

Keep an eye and ear on your baby when you can't be in the room, with a baby alarm or baby monitor. They're easy to install and simple to use!

• Baby Products

Baby alarms or baby monitors are mostly one-way intercom systems that use radio waves. They consist of two-parts - a transmitter and a receiver - which enable you to monitor your baby (toddler or errant teenager!) from a distance. Baby alarms or monitors are essentially radio transmitters and are a popular way in which to become aware of a baby (particularly at night) who is awake and perhaps requires a feed, change or comfort. Whilst they are no substitute for actually going into a baby’s room and checking on a baby, they can provide peace of mind - during naptime for instance.

How baby alarms work
Baby monitors and alarms are very easy to set up. The transmitter is simply placed within the same room as the baby, with the microphone pointing directly at the cot or play area. Once turned on, the microphone can then pick up any sounds such as movement or crying that the baby may make.

You (or another caregiver) keep the receiver within view or within your hearing. Many receivers run off batteries, as well as mains, and are sold with a belt clip, so you have the freedom to move around the house and garden. In fact, some receivers can pick up transmission from up to 120 metres away or more, although it’s not necessarily recommended that you’re this far from your baby at any time.

Some baby monitors also allow your baby to listen to your voice or to music (e.g. a walkie-talkie type feature that helps soothe and calm baby). Additionally some top-of-the-range monitors enable you to view the baby with a small camera. As these monitors decrease in price, you can expect to see them become more widely available.

Whatever baby monitor or alarm you decide to use, it’s important to remember that they are not designed to replace caregiver supervision. Checking a baby face-to-face is always going to be the best way to find out that he or she is all right.

A few things to remember about using baby monitors:

• Never place the transmitter within reach of the baby
• Check and replace batteries regularly
• Test the sound reception whenever you change the location of the transmitter
• Make sure the receiver and transmitter are within range
• If interference is being picked up from cordless phones, other baby monitors or concrete walls, change channels
• To prevent an accidental shock, never place a baby monitor in or around water

What to look for when buying baby alarms and monitors:

1. Power supply

Look for models that use both mains and batteries for their power source. Battery power for the parent monitor gives you the option to move about the house or garden. Battery power on both units means you can take the transmitter and receiver outside of the house. Some models may also have rechargeable batteries which will probably save you a few dollars if you use the battery power more frequently than not.

2. Channels / Frequencies

When transmissions pick up interference from other sources of radio waves, such as cordless phones or other baby monitors, it is very useful to have a choice of frequencies to choose from. Try to choose a baby alarm or monitor with at least two options.

3. Low battery indicator

Choose a baby monitor with a low-battery indicator light. Otherwise you may think all is well when in fact the battery is flat and you’re not listening in at all. An automatic battery back up may also be useful if your area is particularly prone to power failure.

4. Power-on / Nightlight

Having a monitor with a power on light (which may also double as a subtle nightlight) is a good way of being able to check that the monitor is on, without disturbing the baby.

5. Sound activated lights

If you are vacuuming, listening to music or watching television, you may not always hear the noise your baby is making through your receiver. Having lights on the receiver that indicate that the baby is making a noise can be very helpful.

6. Volume control

You may not want to hear every tiny sound your baby makes (especially if you’re trying to sleep), so a volume control can be very handy.

7. Two receivers

Two receivers can be very handy if you want to leave a receiver in two rooms of the house, such as your bedroom and the main living area.

8. Belt clips

Many baby monitors and alarms come with belt clips, which allow you to carry the receiver around with you. They are not always the most comfortable of things especially if the antenna is quite long, so shop around for a good fit.

Baby alarms or monitors can monitor sound; sound and movement; or sound, movement and vision. The choice is up to you and to some degree your budget. There are many models of baby alarm to choose from and many ways to acquire them, including shopping for baby monitors online, from stores or from friends. When using a second-hand alarm or monitor, be sure to check that it is working properly before use.

Looking for more information? Find New Zealand baby alarms in the NZS.com directory.

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Family images from Flickr: Baby Monitor, Kids Classroom and Hands.