Baby monitor are a must-have for new parents, bringing peace of mind while the baby sleeps or plays in another room. The tech has advanced far beyond its humble beginnings, with many now offering video and audio as well as motion detection and temperature sensing. But when should you say goodbye to these nifty gadgets? Here we discuss the right time to ditch the monitor – so read on if your little one is growing up too fast!
Should I stop using a baby monitor?
When to stop using baby monitors is a question that often arises when parents debate if they should buy one. Some parents feel like they can’t live without one, while others feel like they’re just creating another piece of technology that their child will eventually outgrow. In this blog post, we’ll explore when to stop using baby monitors and why.
It is recommended that you stop using a baby monitor when your child is about 4 years old. The reasons fall into two categories:
- They’ve become aware of being watched by the age of 4.
- Their sleeping patterns have fully adjusted and they now sleep through the night without any help from their parents.
At this age, your child is also likely to be more independent and may not want you to check in on them as often. If you’re using a baby monitor to ease your anxiety about your child being alone, it’s time to stop. Baby monitors can create a false sense of security and can actually increase anxiety levels in parents.
So, when should you stop using a baby monitor? The answer is when your child is about four years old. But if you find that you’re relying on the monitor more for your own peace of mind than for your child’s safety, it might be time to stop sooner. Trust your instincts and do what’s best for your family.
Why have a baby monitor?
The most obvious reason to have a baby monitor is to be able to hear when your baby is crying and needs you. With modern technology and fast home wifi speeds, baby monitors are now super easy to set up and use. You can check on your baby from your phone without going into their room and disturbing their sleep. You can see if your baby is comfortable and not too hot or cold, and this can give you peace of mind whether you are sitting in a different room at home or out dining with friends. Depending on your set up you can even talk to your baby vis the device and soothe them back to sleep if needed.
If your living situation makes it difficult for you to hear if your child wakes up during the night, or maybe you have a younger child sleeping in the same room, then you might want to consider keeping the baby monitor for a while longer.
Why stop using a baby monitor?
You may also find that your child becomes more independent and does not want you to check in on them as often when they reach this age. Therefore, it is essential to consider whether you are using the baby monitor for your own peace of mind or for your child’s safety.
Leaving a baby monitor on all night can be addictive and you may wake up to check on your child when they are not even making a noise. This can cause anxiety and disturb your own sleep patterns, so it is important to be aware of this and know when to stop. So if your child is over 4 years old and sleeps through the night but you are missing out on sleep, or glued to your phone on a night out because you feel anxious about if your child is sleeping or not then it’s probably doing more harm than good and its time to stop.
Conclusion
Little explorers come to the world eager for adventure, and parents need a way of keeping them safe as they journey. Baby monitors can be just the thing – providing vigilance when you’re not around so your little one is never out of sight – but at some point, these intrepid adventurers will want more freedom! When that time comes it’s important to take stock: assess their age, independence levels, and safety needs before taking those extra steps toward autonomy. By doing this correctly everybody wins; with both children flourishing in their newfound freedoms while still feeling secure thanks to Mom or Dad’s watchful eye – even if from afar now!
Do you have any experience with baby monitors? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
If you’re a parent, when did you stop using a baby monitor? Why? Let us know in the comments! Thanks for reading. 🙂
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