Do I Need a Baby Monitor?

When my wife and I were expecting our first child, we were bombarded with recommendations on what we should buy. From fancy bassinets that rock your baby to sleep to bottle warmers that could be controlled by an app, it seemed like there was a gadget for every possible parenting need. One item that consistently appeared at the top of every list was the baby monitor. And not just any baby monitor—oh no, it had to have video, night vision, two-way audio, sleep analytics, temperature sensors, and a 5-inch HD screen.

Now, here's the thing: you don't need a baby monitor. If your home is small enough that you're always in earshot, you might not even want one. But let me explain why it might still be worth considering.

In the early days of parenthood, it's easy to feel like you need to be hyper-aware of every little sound your baby makes. You're trying to decipher every cry and coo, and the idea of having a little device that lets you keep tabs on them while you're in another room seems like a no-brainer. But let's not forget the purpose of a baby monitor: it's there to give you peace of mind, not to create more anxiety.

When we first brought our daughter home, we didn't have a monitor. My wife and I made sure that one of us was always in the room with her. We worked our way up to both of us leaving the room for short periods of time. We would play pranks on each other, moving our daughter while the other was out of the room. Then, we levelled up to being in the next room while our daughter slept. Finally, my wife stated the obvious; we needed a baby monitor. It felt like we had a leash attached to us, keeping us within earshot of our daughter, and making tasks as simple as hanging washing on the line outside feel difficult while she slept.

Using BeddyBytes has been great for us, particularly for daytime naps and when we travel. For daytime naps it's great to be able to move around. By using one of our phones as the parent station station, we feel secure enough to go outside and hang the washing out or do some cooking in the kitchen. Being able to access it from our computers is great as well. As I write this I have BeddyBytes open on my second monitor. My daughter is now two years old and fighting her midday nap. This afternoon will be interesting... In the meantime, I'm watching her sing to herself while I get some work done.

BeddyBytes has also been great for when we go and stay at my wife's parents place. They have split floors and we certainly wouldn't feel comfortable letting our daughter downstairs by herself without being able to at least listen.

So, do you need a baby monitor? No, you don't. You can absolutely raise a happy, healthy child without one. But if you're someone who values that extra bit of reassurance, or if your living situation makes it difficult to hear your baby from another room, a monitor can be a helpful tool in your parenting arsenal.

The key is to use it as intended: a tool to help, not a crutch that feeds your anxieties. We've found a balance that works for us, using the monitor selectively and focusing more on establishing routines and creating a peaceful environment for our daughter to sleep in. Because at the end of the day, it's those routines and rituals that will provide the foundation your child needs to thrive—not the latest gadget. And if you decide you do want or need a baby monitor, try the baby monitor that prioritises your family's privacy above all other gimmicks: BeddyBytes.