I am just going to start off by saying it – If you do not own a video monitor, and you have a baby – then you need to get one! They are completely and totally life changing. No, I am not being dramatic. I promise.
We did not have a video monitor when we had Greyson. Looking back I am seriously regretting that decision. Greyson did not sleep through the night for 15 months. I think that if we had a video monitor he would have slept through the night much earlier – and much better (see why below)! I know I would have been a better (read: less stressed) mom, I would have felt much better about walking more than 20 steps away from him!
Why you NEED a video monitor!
1) Piece of Mind!
Whether you are a 1st time parent, or you are on your 4th little bundle, I do not think you worry any less. You might be more confident the 2nd, 3rd or 4th time around – but you will still worry! Using our VTech VM343 I have complete piece of mind when I put Hudson in his crib – or when he and Greyson are playing in his room. I can see them (the monitor moves all over with just a touch of a button!), hear them, and talk to them!
(I caught Hudson checking out the letters on his comforter – before settling right down for his morning nap!)
2) Travel
We travel back home to visit family a lot. This means the kids are in different bedrooms, cribs, and areas of the house. I love being able to see him in his crib and know that he is comfortable and sleeping. Since it is not our home – I like being sure that he is not doing or getting into anything that could be dangerous to him.
3) Security
This is a little bit like piece of mind – but being able to see that my son is safe and sound is SO MUCH BETTER than assuming he is; simply because my sound only monitor is not picking up any noise.
Last night is a perfect example of both security and piece of mind. At 11:30 PM I got into bed and Hudson started fussing. I could see that he was tossing and turning – but he was trying to get comfortable – it took about 5 minutes of on and off fussing but he went back asleep.
Without the video monitor I absolutely would have gone into his room to check on him (even if he settled down quickly). At first I would have just assumed he soothed himself – but then my mind would wonder and begin to worry that maybe he stopped fussing because of something horrible.
I would have gone into his room to check on him – then the would have woken up – and we would have struggled for the next hour or so to get him back asleep!
By using the VTech VM343 I was able to see him and hear him. I felt completely secure that he was safely settled and comfortable! We both slept soundly through the night!
(At night it sits right on my nightstand – during the day (for his naps) I just take it to whatever room I am in)
4) RV
Last year Scott and I purchased an RV to travel with our boys. Before getting the video monitor we were worried about how it would work this year. Hudson is too big for the rock n’ play, and pack n’ play – but he is still too little to be left to roam free (if he were to wake up!). I just assumed that we would be stuck in the RV at night when Hudson went to bed.
But not now!! With our video monitor we will be able to keep a very close eye on him (hopefully he just stays asleep!) While Scott and I get to enjoy an evening campfire.
Even if you do not own an RV – you’ll still be able to go outside on a nice summer evening while knowing that you can keep your little one safe and sound.
So now you know the reasons why you should register or buy a video monitor – here are a few things you should look for.
1) Large screen.
Our VTech VM343 has a 4.3″ LCD full color screen. It is awesome. It is so easy to see Hudson. The screen is crystal clear and it looks just as good when the automatic night vision kicks on. It has become my favorite thing to watch at night – well after Netflix that is.
2) Easily move-able.
Not only do you want it to be easy to pack up the monitor and take it with you when you travel – but you want to also be able to move the camera itself. It is so nice to be able to pan the camera around a room – you can do this right on the monitor! The camera has a full pan & tilt function. In addition, it also has zoom functionality.
3) Options!
I am a mom who likes to have options. I love that the VTech VM343 screen can pair with and support up to 4 cameras. We can have one in both of the boys rooms, as well as the playroom. On top of that I can choose which camera I want to view OR I can have the screen split and view all of them at the same time.
It also has options for:
- Brightness
- Sound
- Camera mounting. We have ours sitting on a shelf, but it comes with a really nice bracket so it can be mounted right on a wall
Let me know! – What is the one baby product you rave about, and could not imagine not having on hand?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
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