Baby Monitors usually come in two units a Parent/Unit and a Baby/Unit. The Baby unit is the transmitter that goes in the nursery near your baby to pick up any sound he makes and then send them to the receiver Parent Unit which is usually placed in a room with yourself. Many baby monitors have clips that allow you to attach the receiver to your belt or clothing.

There are some visual monitors that are usually more expensive as they come with a camera built in to the Baby Unit and pick up images of the baby and transmit them to a small screen in the parents room. However most commonly are the ones that pick up sound only. The more expensive the monitor the more features you will get with it. For instance; Temperature monitors check the babys room temperature and will warn you if the room gets too hot or too cold. Respiration monitors which check babies breathing. Some have Child alarms that will warn you if your child is wandering off. They can also play soft lullaby tunes to help your baby drift off to sleep.

Baby monitors are either mains or battery operated. Mains operated monitors are very simple and the cheapest, but you must be positioned near a plug both in the nursery and in the parents room. The battery operated monitors are portable so can be positioned anywhere, some of them come with rechargeable batteries which can also save on the expense. Decide on a one-way or two-way system. A one-way monitor allows you to hear your child, while a two-way monitor allows your child to hear you as well.

Respiration monitors sound an alarm if breathing or movement is not detected and may be useful if you are particularly worried. Respiration monitors also use pads placed under the babys mattress, which can detect movement and breathing.

Baby monitors let you know your baby is safe at all times. Monitors include all kinds of plug-in, digital, walkabout and rechargeable units; they are all designed to ensure parents have a peaceful night. Baby monitors have come a long way with technology and now come with digital and video features.

One of the main uses of baby monitors is when the child is asleep in a separate room; do take the size of your home into account. Some baby monitors have more of a limited range than others, and have trouble transmitting through thick concrete walls. Larger homes on more than one level may require something more sophisticated. In a small home, a simple monitor should be sufficient.

A baby monitor can help you get things done around the house while your baby sleeps in another room. If you live in a small house or flat and can hear your baby wherever you are then you probably dont need one, however, if your baby is upstairs and you are downstairs then it really is peace of mind.

To read independent reviews of baby monitors by parents, view features and compare prices visit Reviews of Baby Monitors.