When to stop using a baby monitor

Baby monitors can be a huge source of comfort for the first few months of your little one’s life. It helps you keep track of their sleeping and alerts you whenever they need you from the baby's room.  

Benefits of using a baby monitor

---

At first, it might feel like you can’t sleep one wink without it since you’re constantly worried about hearing even the smallest cry.

However, there comes a time when it is good to turn it off and start teaching some independent sleeping – for both you and your baby.

If you’re wondering when to stop using a baby monitor, we’re going to let you in on that and so much more.

Benefits of using a baby monitor

---

• Added safety and security: Using a baby monitor helps parents watch and keep a close eye on their child’s room, helping to ease worry and that age-old parental anxiety.
• Sleep time for parents: Whilst getting a full night’s sleep with a little baby will never be straightforward, knowing that you can hear any problems while your baby sleeps can make parents feel more comfortable sleeping soundly in their own bed.
• Multi-tasking for busy parents: Parents are always having to juggle a million things, and using a baby monitor is super handy so you can about your life while knowing that your little one is safe and secure. Again, this is even more so the case with a video baby monitor.

---

When to stop using a baby monitor

---

There’s no set age to stop using a baby monitor. Some experts indicate it could be ideal between 2-5 years old, depending on the child’s age and developmental milestones. It’s really a personal preference, however developmentally it’s recommended to let go of it when your baby no longer needs to feed during the night. If they can make it 8-9 hours without any hunger, they are all set for some independence! Some children will reach this stage within three months, whereas others can take up to a year or more. It all depends on your little one and their sleep patterns, but you’ll the milestone when it comes.

It’s important to consider your child’s readiness and observe signs of growing independence and ability to sleep without constant supervision.

You can also consider stopping the use of a baby monitor when your child transitions to a toddler bed and is able to get in and out of bed independently.

For parents who sleep on separate floors from their kids, there may be more need for baby monitors. And if your little one has more health issues or special needs, then this timeline will also look quite different for you.

The following is a rough guide based on your child’s age.

Newborn to 6 months

1. Use: Essential for monitoring sleep and ensuring safety during naps and nighttime in the infancy stage.
2. Features to consider: Choose monitors with clear audio, video capabilities, and night vision to keep an eye on your baby.

6 months to 1 year

1. Use: Still important, as babies begin to roll over and move more during sleep.
2. Features to consider: Monitors with temperature sensors and two-way audio can help soothe your baby without entering the room.

1 year to 2 years

1. Use: Useful as toddlers become more mobile and may climb out of cribs.
2. Features to consider: Video monitors can provide reassurance, allowing parents to watch their toddler’s movements.

2 years to 3 years

1. Use: Monitor use may start to decrease as children become more independent and develop sleep routines.
2. Signs to transition: If your child consistently stays in bed and sleeps through the night, consider reducing monitor usage.

---

Why is it important to turn off the baby monitor?

---

Rushing to the nursery every time you hear a slight whimper will only reinforce your baby’s wakings during the night and start this cycle of constant supervision, especially if they have already transitioned from the parent’s room. If you jump at any sound you wouldn’t hear without the baby monitor, they won’t learn how to sleep through it. Ultimately, you want your little one to start their own sleep patterns without constant monitoring.

Constant nightly surveillance might also lead to separation anxiety in babies as their dependence builds.

Plus, over-reliance on a baby monitor can affect the child’s ability to self-soothe. As your child develops, they need to learn how to manage brief awakenings or minor disturbances on their own.

Baby monitors and SIDS risks

---

Many parents feel that by using a baby monitor, they can limit the likelihood of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the unexplained death of a healthy baby, usually during sleep, and most common between 1 month and 1 year old. The exact cause is unknown, but it’s thought to involve problems with breathing or sleep regulation.

However, research studies show that there’s no link between baby monitors preventing SIDS – even the high-tech baby breathing monitors.

How to stop obsessing over baby monitor

---

It’s not uncommon for parents to obsess over baby monitors – after all, we all want our children to be as safe as possible.

Watching your baby sleep and keeping an eye on everything can become an addiction, where we can become anxious and attached to the security of seeing our little one safe. This is where using a baby monitor can do more harm than good. Parents will stay wide awake, eagerly listening and watching, glued to the video monitor to see their baby sleeping. Bottom line, it’s not helpful.

First of all, you could start by lowering the volume of the baby monitor, so that you’re not shaken awake with a murmur or mutter. If there’s a major issue, you’d still hear it with a lower sound. It just means you’re less in tune with every sound.

Another step might be moving the monitor to another side of the room, slowly moving it away gradually. Especially when you have a little baby, you won’t want to stop using your baby monitor right away. So one step at a time is how we do it.

If you’re worried you might not be able to hear their serious cries, you may be able to look at the settings which might give you the option to tweak the sensitivity levels. Your monitor will go off for bigger cries. You might also want to keep it just for nap time if you are in a different part of the house or when you are not near the baby’s room.

Ultimately it’s personal preference and your child’s readiness to go without it and there’s really no hard and fast rule.

Frequently asked questions

---

1. What age should you stop using a baby monitor?
Most parents stop using the monitor between 18 months and 3 years, but it varies based on the child’s independence and sleeping habits.

2. How do you know when your child no longer needs a baby monitor?
When your child can get in and out of bed with more independence, stay in bed during the night, and feel comfortable with their safety, it’s a good indication they no longer need a monitor.

3. What are the risks of prolonged baby monitor use?
Prolonged use can lead to anxiety, and over-dependence on monitoring, and hinder a child’s ability to self-soothe and develop independent sleep habits.

4. Should you use a baby monitor beyond toddlerhood?
It depends on individual circumstances; some parents may continue using it for older children, especially if they have special needs or safety concerns in the child’s room. In most cases, it isn’t necessary.

5. What are signs your child might not need a baby monitor anymore?
Signs include developmental milestones like consistently sleeping through the night, not needing assistance to fall back asleep, and not frequently waking up.

6. How can you transition away from using a baby monitor?
Gradually reduce monitor usage by lowering the volume, placing it further away, or only checking it during specific times until you feel comfortable going without it entirely.