Baby monitors are almost universal among new parents — but there's a wide range of what they actually do, from simple audio devices to breathing sensors and Wi-Fi cameras you can access from your phone. Here's how to cut through the options.
In a small flat or house, you may be able to hear your baby clearly without one. The NHS recommends room-sharing for the first 6 months — if baby is sleeping in your room, a monitor is unnecessary.
Monitors become useful when:
The simplest option. A transmitter near baby picks up sound; the parent receiver (handset or plug-in unit) alerts you to crying.
Pros: Cheap (£20–50), reliable, simple, no screens or apps to manage.
Cons: No visual information; some sensitivity to interference.
Best for: Those who want the basics — you'll hear crying, and that's what matters.
A camera in baby's room transmits live video to a parent unit screen. Most include audio too.
Pros: See baby without going in; check sleeping position; useful for daytime naps in a separate room.
Cons: Screen can become anxiety-inducing — temptation to stare at video for hours rather than sleep; significantly more expensive (£80–200+).
Features to look for: Night vision (IR), two-way audio (talk to baby from the unit), temperature display, range, battery life on parent unit, pan/tilt camera.
Popular UK video monitors: BT Baby Monitor 6000 (reliable, good range), Motorola Halo, Philips Avent Video Baby Monitor, Oricom.
Camera connects to Wi-Fi and streams to a smartphone app rather than a dedicated parent unit.
Pros: View from anywhere — check in from work; partner can see from another room; usually better picture quality.
Cons: Dependent on Wi-Fi reliability; security considerations (cloud-connected cameras have been hacked); ongoing subscription for some features; battery or power needed.
Security note: Choose a monitor from a reputable brand that uses encrypted connections. Change the default password immediately. Check the brand's privacy policy. Never use a basic IP camera (not baby-specific) — security is generally weaker.
Popular smart monitors: Nanit (expensive but good analytics), Eufy Spaceview, Owlet Cam (paired optionally with sock sensor), Hello Baby.
Sensor pads placed under the mattress detect tiny movements from breathing. They alarm if no movement is detected for a set period. The Angelcare range is the most common UK example.
What they claim: Alert you if baby stops breathing.
What the evidence says: There is no evidence that movement monitors reduce the risk of SIDS. The NHS and Lullaby Trust explicitly state this and do not recommend them for healthy, full-term babies.
Why they persist: Parental anxiety, aggressive marketing, and the psychological comfort of feeling "covered."
When they're appropriate: For medically vulnerable babies — premature babies recently discharged from NICU, or babies with specific conditions — on the recommendation of a paediatrician. Not for typical, healthy term babies.
The alarm problem: These monitors have a high false-alarm rate and can cause significant parental anxiety. Multiple families describe the monitor alarming overnight for no clinical reason, causing enormous distress.
Bottom line: Following safe sleep guidance (back to sleep, firm mattress, room-share, no overheating, no smoke) is what reduces SIDS risk. A sensor pad doesn't add meaningful protection.
For most families, a straightforward video monitor addresses the practical need:
Resist the urge to buy the most expensive, feature-heavy option. A £60 video monitor that reliably shows you a clear picture of your sleeping baby is more useful than a £200 smart monitor that requires app troubleshooting at 3am.
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