Modern-day products for kids have significantly simplified the parents’ life who are anxious about their kid’s safety in their absence.
Nevertheless, it’s hard to keep track of newborn kids to toddlers, even at the house: in the bathroom or the kitchen, the baby’s voice can’t be heard.
It’s for these reasons that the baby monitors are designed as a compact wireless devices that can transmit sounds over a long distance. So that you can hear the sound when your baby makes noise.
The baby monitors come with a unit with an approvingly sensitive microphone installed in your child’s bedroom/baby’s room as well as the receiver in the parent’s hand that you can carry anywhere you need. Any sounds or noises from your baby’s room will instantly be sent to the parent unit.
Moreover, in case the infant is awake, you’ll be informed about it even before your baby starts crying. However, many parents are having health concerns about devices like this. If you are too concerned about baby monitor health safety then continue reading this article and know it all.
Contents
What Is A Baby Monitor For?
A smart baby monitor is a gadget utilized by parents to remotely watch, listen to, and also monitor their infant.
It includes a transmitter baby unit, generally, a camera fitted with a microphone set near your kid, and also a receiver unit for parents.
In general, the baby unit conveys video, sounds, and also data by wifi connection or radio waves to the receiver that the parents have.
This baby monitor lets you not just hear your baby’s crying but also watch what’s happening in the kids’ room on the given LCD screen. The baby monitor has a lot of advantages, the major of which is the wonderful remoteness of versatility and work.
Baby monitor devices have come a long way from the plain audio models (mainly used in the ‘40s). But today, most monitors can stream a live video, inform you about the baby’s room temperature, play lullabies, etc.
Types of Baby Monitors
Here are the basic types of baby monitors that are available in the market now…
Audio Baby Monitor
There are audio only baby monitor that’ cost-effective, easy-to-use camera that is easy to work with. In case you’re planning to purchase an audio baby monitor, then ensure it has good audio quality, volume, as well as great sound quality.
Sensor Baby Monitor
These are utilized to monitor your kid’s movements as well as are generally put under the lodging sleeping cushion or bunk.
It manages to be used to monitor your child’s heartbeat, breathing, or pulse and alert you with higher frequency in case something is wrong.
Video Baby Monitor
Video cameras even have the audio feature. It is commonly provided with extra choices such as dish/zoom/tilt, night vision, extra cameras, and both-way talking.
Do You Really Need A Baby Monitor?
Some parents think about whether they should purchase a baby monitor or not. But how can you determine whether you need to buy a baby monitor or not? See what to consider to know if you need one or not…
You Need Baby Monitors: In case you will not always be capable of hearing your kid while in the home or you’ve been recommended by a doctor to monitor your kid.
You Do Not Need Baby Monitors: In case you are living in a small home and will be always within hearing distance of your kid.
Generally, in case you are wondering whether you need to buy baby monitors or not, probably the answer is yes. Those, parents using a baby monitor on an average report that they now can sleep better, knowing that they’ll be warned if their kid is unwell or wakes up at an unusual time.
It does not mean, the baby monitor can replace a guardian or a parent. Monitors can be extremely helpful to keep an eye on the kid, particularly the most recent devices with outstanding technical abilities. But ultimately, the baby monitors are just a device.
Moreover, it has potential dangers too. It can emit more radiation than mentioned which can harm your baby’s health. So, it is better to consider the baby monitor as a 3rd pair of ears and eyes, but nothing more. And if possible, do not use one.
Can Wireless Baby Monitors Cause Health Issues For Babies?
Baby monitors use a wide range of radio frequencies (microwave radiation) to send video and audio signals from the baby’s monitor unit to the receptor unit.
Different wireless device models will emit different degrees of radio frequencies, as well as some, of which could certainly cause potential health dangers for your kid.
In 2011, The IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer), an institution that is a part of the WHO (World Health Organization), stated that all types of radio frequencies are a potential reason for cancer.
Maximum baby monitors nowadays use FHSS or DECT technologies that work on frequencies varying from 1.89-2.4 GHz.
And these are the same EMF (same electromagnetic frequencies) that WiFi routers and microwaves use and there’re concerns regarding the high levels of radiation that these gadgets are emitting around your baby.
Baby monitor devices with a continuous video signal operate by continuously emitting strong shots of microwave radiations as soon as switched on. These shots can take place around 100 times/sec, even at moment placed in standby mode.
Radiation Of Baby Monitor And Your Baby’s Health
Over the past few years, there have been many conflicting analyses on possible health issues of radiation exposure from gadgets like mobile phone, wifi routers, baby monitors, etc.
The WHO is taking a wide analysis of radiation effects to see where the concerning levels should fall. Though, for now, there isn’t any conclusive information on baby monitors particularly, and the advantages of these devices often overshadow those concerns.
For safety, most monitors utilize technologies that are comparable to what is utilized in NICUs and hospitals, and many even take complaints to manage radiation concerns in their FAQ sections. In case you’re still worried about radiation levels, search for monitors that have the lowest radiation frequencies.
If you are too worried about the exposure of signals then you can specify a time limit that your baby wears the device or is near the baby monitor unit—keeping a baby monitor on only at night or while naps, for example, or turning off the sound monitors as soon as someone is in the baby’s room to look after the baby.
What’s The Danger of Radiation For Babies?
Baby monitors offer features such as a microphone with both-way communication, temperature sensor, zooming, color screens, nightlights, tilting/panning, lullabies, etc.
As long as the transmission quality is involved, they offer crystal-clear, encrypted video & audio transmission without any interference: They are the complete package and so many more.
However, the issue is that maximum monitors are using FHSS or DECT technologies now that work on 1.89-2.4 GHz frequency bars. This’s even being utilized in maximum audio baby monitors as well.
So, as baby monitors use FHSS or DECT technologies that emit high radiation levels, it can harm your baby’s health. These monitors continuously emit strong shots of microwave radiation – as much as 100x/sec.
Where should you place the smart baby monitors? Research indicates that digital baby camera that are placed less than 1 m away from your baby’s crib release nearly the same radiation as a smartphone tower 150 m away. A few of the potential side effects of EMF (electromagnetic frequencies) radiation consist of:
- Sleep cycle disorder
- Effects on your baby’s brain development
- Effect on the reproductive system
- Effect your baby’s immune system
Moreover, these issues are likely boosted in a young kid whose body and brain are still growing. This’s why experts believe that the side effects of such modern technologies may be more dangerous than the advantages of using these common digital baby monitors. Additionally, this is the reason experts strongly suggest parents select a low-emission digital baby monitor.
What Are The Side Effects Of Radiation From A Baby Monitor On Your Baby’s Body?
All wireless baby monitors deliver non-Ionizing radiation. Such types of radiation have 2 kinds of side effects on your baby’s body: Thermal & Non-thermal effects.
Non-Ionizing radiation won’t penetrate deeply into your baby’s tissues but will improve the possibility of damage to your baby’s skin. Non-ionizing radiation also can cause localized heating/photochemical reactions that can happen with possible enduring damage.
Are There Safe Baby Monitor Models Available?
In case you’re worried and want to have the lowest interferences level possible, you must find out low-emission monitors for the baby. These baby monitors come in 2 types:
Low-Emission Digital Monitor
These provide a solid option for an analog baby monitor with a frequency that ranges between 1.89 to 2.4 GHz. A few contemporary digital monitors offer the choice to tone down the electromagnetic frequencies level by utilizing a voice-activated feature.
Low-Emission Analog Monitor
These are the complete lowest emissions level possible. Analog baby monitors utilize the 49 MHz frequency bar, which even means that these can just transmit sound and not video.
Finally, all I can say is that there is no completely safe baby monitor available but yes, there are less harmful devices and some more harmless devices.
So, to get the safest baby monitor go for low-emission devices no matter what. Let’s now see what are low-emission baby monitors available in the market now.
Finding The Best Monitor for Baby’s Safety
To reduce the baby’s potential radiation exposure whereas utilizing a baby monitor, it is better to pick a low-emission monitor.
Check out how these low-emission monitors (both digital and analog) stack up as well as find the best ones that meet your requirements.
#1 TimeFlys Audio Baby Monitors
Click Here To Check TimeFlys Audio Baby Monitors
This is a newer monitor that proclaims to have zero (0) emissions when put on night mode in the silent mode. However, it is not true. Because anything used batteries or plugs into the wall is going to emit some frequencies.
One nice object is that in case you’re concerned about monitoring your baby’s room temperature, this does offer that feature in a moderately low-radiation baby monitor.
- Provide temperature monitoring
- Moderately well-priced
- 15-hour of battery life
- Reliable connection along with a span of up to 1,000 ft
- Safe temperature spans
- Lots of additional features including one-way talk, night light, and so many more – that are usually unnecessary in an easy baby monitor
- Buttons are sensitive and easy to accidentally press
#2 Google Nest Cam Indoor 3 Pack
Click Here To Check Google Nest Cam Indoor 3 Pack
Who said safety cameras can’t perform as baby monitors as well? This technique offers you the video part that analog monitors can’t without bringing the harmful side effects of DECT or FHSS technologies.
As soon as the Google Nest Cam Indoor senses activity in your baby’s room, you can get a signal sent to your email or phone. You can even pay more to have them record videos for you.
One more perk is that you can remotely turn it on & off, so you do not need to have the device on 24*7, also restricting emissions; this’s the main cause people love this product and use this as a baby monitor.
- Does not rely on battery
- Quick & easy to set-up
- Night vision
- Remote on & off function
- Some customers complain about issues like connectivity
- Costlier than analog baby monitors
#3 Angelcare Baby Sound Monitor
Click Here To Check Angelcare Baby Sound Monitor
One more alternative take on the best low EMF (electromagnetic frequencies) baby monitors is this Angelcare baby sound monitor.
Whereas it still uses the DECT technology. Depending on high-frequency bars, it isn’t always active.
This only turns on automatically in case it detects motion or its sound activation triggers since it detects the baby crying or picks up any other noise.
It also comes with a digital screen that displays the room’s temperature and an indicator for the time it detects noise, and all of these are available on the unit that the parent operates.
- Adequately battery life
- Long range
- On-screen noise indicator & temperature display
- Rechargeable
- 8 different noise channels to assist get rid of audio interferences
- Movement sensor pad
- Is known to often have some issues with durability
- The night light is a little bit too bright
- No cameras
FAQ Baby Monitor Health Safety
Following are the common queries on safe and healthy monitors for babies.
Is Baby Wireless Baby Monitor Harmful For Babies?
Not really. Most wireless baby monitors emit harmful electromagnetic frequencies. However, if you follow the safety guidelines of the monitor then it won’t harm your baby’s health.
Does The Analog Baby Monitor Emit Radiation?
Most baby monitors emit EMF, even an analog monitor, and a video monitor. However, some of the WiFi-enabled baby monitors emit far more electromagnetic frequencies than wireless radiation.
Do Baby Video Monitors Emit Radiation And Affect Baby Health?
Yes they do emit radiation which can be harmful to your baby. However, when you fit the monitor at least 150m away from your baby.
Conclusion
Moderateness is the key, thus, you need to always ask yourself whether what you’re doing is required or if it’s only a habit. Do not use the baby monitor always. And as soon as you do so, you need to install the baby monitor at the safest distance from the baby (at least 3ft away from your baby).
Limit the wireless devices you’ve got around your house, particularly in your baby’s room. Do not leave them powered on always as most baby monitors emit harmful radiation.
In case you follow these guidelines, it is safe to operate any baby monitor for your baby’s safety.
Or else, search for the safest baby monitor of the type you need.
Resource:
- ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5504984/
