Baby monitors or baby alarms, are radio systems used to listen to sounds from a remote location made by infants. The transmitter is typically equipped a microphone and placed near the baby. The receiver houses a speaker and is carried by the parents or guardian to listen to the child and view as well.

One of the main uses of Baby safety monitors is to allow attendants to hear when an infant wakes while unattended. Infants and young children can often be heard over a baby monitor in what is referred to as crib talk in which they talk to themselves. This is normal and actually part of language skills practice.

In the past, monitoring was essentially a basic device that consisted of a transmitter and receiver. The older units were wired and thus only allowed limited travel in the home. Now digital monitors are much more advanced and allow travel in just about any size home with crystal clear output.

One problem with analog monitors is the fact that neighbors and other people close by can inadvertently pick up the monitor signal and listen to it. With a digital model you can use secure channels thus ensuring privacy. The biggest issue an analog monitor is its range. The mobility parents is limited so they have to constantly be aware of range. With digital monitors, the range is virtually a non issue, allowing parents to move around the house with no worry.

A disadvantage is the electromagnetic waves that are used. Some believe thes are detrimental to the child and pose a health risk although this has never been confirmed. Regardless the parents are cautioned to put the monitor at least 8ft away from the baby.

Digital baby monitors offer the clearest reception, increased functionality, and are much better than the older analog versions. It is highly recommended that you purchase the model that best suits your family’s needs.

Baby monitors have come a long way since the earliest models. And now there’s the Philips DECT baby monitor, which has many high tech features that add considerably to a parent’s security. It functions in both directions; consequently you can look at your baby in her nursery, hear her and talk to her. It monitors temperature, allows listening in without static, and offers temperature readouts. In addition, it has a range of 900 feet.

These digital baby monitors include baby and parental units fitted into the modular holder. After taking them out, they can be carried in a nylon travel case. The entire design is minimalist and elegant.

The entire workings of the Philips DECT baby monitor come in an illustrated guidebook that explains all the parts and setup of the two pieces and the battery. The parental unit requires charging before initial use. The two units link to one another and synchronize through a very visible process of lights blinking on both the monitors.

The Digital Enhanced Cordless Technology of the DECT baby monitor gets rid of static and allows clear reception of noises and visuals in both directions. The baby monitor must be kept at a 2 foot distance from the baby to protect her from the microwaves. These monitors do not get disrupted by interference from phones or radio and microwave devices, hence are clear of static.

The monitor is consistently linked to the parental monitor by way of 60 channels providing secure communication. It scans them continually and the communication remains non-stop. The monitor can be operated at a distance by way of a remote control. It can even sing lullabies to the baby, and comes with a nightlight that allows you to see your little one.

All it needs is manipulating the LCD screen buttons, like the menu button which takes you up and down the menu. There is a talk back on the monitor, the volume of which is adjustable; therefore you can coo and talk to your baby even at a distance, like speaking into a walkie-talkie.

You could be anywhere in the home or the garden doing your daily chores and at the same time look after your little one. The DECT baby monitor also watches over your baby’s room temperature and immediately warns you if there is any fluctuation in it. The parental receiver starts to ring a warning to tell you if this is happening.

The monitor plays lullabies in a loop of five minutes, each lullaby is 30 seconds long and sounds like the ones you hear on the mobiles you hang in the crib. There are nightlights that allow you to visit the baby at nighttime in the semi darkness. Another feature is that the entire unit charges by rechargeable batteries. In terms of baby monitors, it does not get much more innovative than the Philips DECT.