These days, we have so many tools that help with parenting, including baby monitors. In fact, with so many tools available, one would have to wonder what we ever did without them!
Baby monitors are essential for new parents, not only to keep an eye on their babies, but also to ensure that they are still breathing. There are video monitors and baby breathing monitors, and many parents opt to have both.
If you are a parent of an infant or toddler, chances are that you use at least one type of baby monitor. But, have you decided when it will be time to stop using a monitor, or are you still wondering at what age is it okay to stop using one?
Today we are going to take a look at what age to stop using a baby monitor, reasons to stop, and reasons to continue using one. Let’s get started.
When Should You Stop Using a Baby Monitor?
There are many different schools of thought about the age a child should be before parents stop using a baby monitor. For one thing, every child is different, and therefore the parents will have different needs.
There are some experts who say it is no longer necessary after a child is two years old. Others feel that a child should be four years old before parents stop using the monitor. Others suggest using developmental milestones to help judge when it is time to dump the monitor.
Six Months
While most parents would agree that it is a good idea to use a baby monitor until the baby is at least one year old, the six-month milestone is often considered. In most cases, once a baby is six months old, it will be sleeping through the night.
If you live in a small space, it is perfectly fine to use this milestone as a guideline. But, don’t feel badly if you don’t agree. There are many parents out there who would agree with you on that.
Two Years
Once a child reaches the age of two, they are able to get up out of bed and leave the bedroom on their own. So, many parents feel that since the child is going to be moving around a lot, there really is no longer a need to have a baby monitor in their bedroom.
On the other hand, if you are a parent of a toddler who just refuses to stay in bed, a baby monitor may be just the thing you need in order to see what they are doing.
Four Years
Most experts will agree that by the time a child is four years old, there is likely no longer a need to use a baby monitor. At this stage, children are learning about themselves, and they are also discovering a need for private space.
They know they are being watched with a baby monitor, and this could end up causing turning into a privacy issue. In fact, a child may behave differently when they know a camera is fixed on them at all times.
Reasons Parents Stop Using Baby Monitors
There are several reasons why most parents stop using baby monitors after a certain period of time. For some, it is simply because they are losing out on a lot of sleep.
Many of today’s baby monitors will pick up every little sound. If your child happens to giggle in the middle of the night, or if the child is a snorer, chances are the sound is going to wake you up. Here are some more good reasons to stop using a baby monitor.
Baby Monitors Can Cause Anxiety
Some parents, particularly first-time parents, find that they are constantly looking at the baby monitor, and this causes them to have a lot of anxiety. For instance, if a child happens to not be moving for a couple of minutes, some parents may panic.
Or, if the child moves a lot, the parents are worried that their child is distressed. As long as a child sleeps through the night, it is okay to ditch the baby monitor.
You are Close Enough to Hear any Disturbances
If your bedroom is close to your child’s bedroom, there is probably no need to have a baby monitor in their room. After all, you can likely hear any noise that comes from the room, because you are so close to it in the first place.
With a monitor, many parents find that they react too quickly, and too often, and in many cases, end up waking a sleeping baby. Then, they can’t get the baby back to sleep, and they end up being awake for half the night.
Baby Monitors are Distracting
Some parents get to the point where they are constantly watching their baby monitors. The monitors can be a distraction, and keep parents from performing other activities. If you find that you are always watching the screen, it may be time to stop using it all-together, especially if your child is at an age where they are sleeping through the night.
Reasons to Continue Using Baby Monitors
As we mentioned earlier in this article, there is no set age when a baby monitor can be put away for good. In fact, there may be times when a monitor is necessary for older children as well as for infants and toddlers.
For example, if your room is quite a distance from your child’s room, you may want the comfort of knowing you can look in on them at any time with the monitor. This is especially handy if the child is sick. Here are some more reasons why many parents continue using baby monitors after their children reach a certain age.
Sleep Regression in Children
It is perfectly normal for toddlers to experience sleep regression. Unfortunately, this can be stressful for parents who are worrying that they and their children are not getting enough sleep.
If your child is experiencing sleep regression, it may be a good idea to continue using the baby monitor. That way, you can keep an eye on their sleeping habits. If they are simply upset because you are not in the room with them, don’t go to them right away.
Watch the monitor to see if they are able to go back to sleep on their own first. This is something all children need to eventually learn.
Siblings in the Same Room
If there is more than one child in a room, it may be necessary to keep the baby monitor in the room for a while longer. Some parents rely on the other children to keep an eye on their siblings when they share a room, but this is not always going to work to your advantage.
After all, if the siblings are also young children, it is not likely that they are going to be able to help their baby brother or sister in the case of an emergency.
Nightmares and Sleepwalking
Sometimes, parents need to keep monitors in the rooms of older children, even six and seven year olds. This is often the case for parents who have children who are prone to nightmares or sleepwalking.
If your child has nightmares, they are going to want to be comforted. Without a monitor, you may not realize that your child has woken up from a bad dream, or is sleepwalking. Once your child is a little bit older, you can start turning off the monitor during the day to give them a bit of privacy.
Final Takeaway
Many parents find it difficult to let go of baby monitors. So, if you are feeling this way, don’t feel bad, because you are definitely not alone. Rather than immediately removing the baby monitor from the room, try doing it gradually.
Turn it off for a few hours a day for a week. The following week, turn it off for longer periods of time. Keep following this pattern until you are no longer using it at all.