Keeping your child safe - why baby monitors aren't just for infants!

I've partnered with Motorola for this post. 

Since September is Baby Safety Month, I wanted to touch on a key piece in my parenting toolbox - the baby monitor. One of the first things that comes to mind when you think about "baby safety" is a probably a monitor. Especially for first time mothers, a baby monitor can give that extra peace of mind that we all need. In those early stages of parenting a newborn and infant, you're hyper-alert. Every sound that comes from baby's room causes you to wonder what's going on in there. Having a video monitor can help you decipher whether or not you really need to go in at all. Did the baby wake, only to find his pacifier and drift back to sleep? Or are they making noises due to a dream? If so, you can save yourself the groggy walk to his room by checking your trusty video monitor.

What many moms don’t know about baby monitors, however, is that they’re good for long after the infant stage. They may be even more helpful with toddlers. If you have a toddler, you know what I'm talking about... they're constantly getting into things, and a monitor can help you keep a watchful eye on them without being in the same room. We bought a Motorola Video Monitor when our son was born, and as he grew past infancy I was even more thankful to have it. The first time I realized he would be able to climb out of his crib was because I heard him stirring and flipped on the color LCD screen. He had just raised his foot over the railing and I was able to go in and prevent him from climbing out. Very shortly afterwards we transitioned him to a toddler bed and this is when I decided that a video monitor was truly a must-have for parents.

When your child is transitioning to a “big kid” bed, they can easily come and go as they please. I don't consider myself a "helicopter parent," but I certainly don't want my child roaming around his room or our house during the night. The Motorola MBP36s Video Monitor features a crystal clear two-way audio feature that allows you to very clearly communicate as if you are in the same room with your little one. I can't tell you how many times I used this feature to remind my little guy to stay in bed. Once I explained that I could see him and talk to him via the handheld monitor thanks to the camera in his room, he felt more secure. He would talk to the camera if he needed something and I could talk back to him, or go to him if he needed me. This really came in handy while we were potty training. If he woke in the middle of the night and needed to use the bathroom, he would just talk to the camera and I could go assist him.

I also appreciate having a video monitor when my little guy has his afternoon "quiet time." At 3 years old, he doesn't regularly take naps any longer, but I do insist that he has a little down time in his bedroom each day. Even though I've childproofed his bedroom, I feel better knowing I can watch him on the monitor. The  Motorola MBP36s has the ability to remote camera pan, tilt, and zoom, so I can keep an eye on him even when he's moving around the room. Because it’s wireless, I can take the handheld monitor anywhere in the house with me while keeping an eye on him. If I see him getting into mischief, I can talk directly into the monitor and redirect his behavior.

If you have a child that has frequent night terrors, a video monitor can help ensure that your child is safe, despite their terrifying screams. I remember a period of time when I introduced squash into my son's diet and I'd awake to the most horrific screams and I'd run across the house, only to find him sound asleep. Having a monitor with infrared night vision proved to be very helpful during this time. I could see that he was safe and not trying to get out of bed or wander.

If you have a larger home or if your house has multiple levels, you can even purchase additional cameras to use with your MBP36s. My son (and most kids that are 3+) can definitely unlock and open doors and let himself right out of the house, so it’s important to stay vigilant and remember that the monitor doesn't have to be limited to a nursery or toddler room. This is also a great feature if you've got more than one child to watch. You can be in one area of the house with one child while still keeping a watchful eye on the other.

New technology has made baby monitors essential for every home. If you get a good monitor when they’re infants and hang on to it after they’ve stopped waking up in the middle of the night, you’ll find that you still enjoy the peace of mind it brings.

Do you have a video monitor?
What’s your favorite way to use it?

Disclosure: I was provided a sample to facilitate this post. All opinions are 100% my own. Amazon links are affiliate links.