As a parent, you want to always watch over your child throughout their entire life. A baby monitor helps keep your little one close and near to observe in case anything happens to them. You can watch over them during their naps on the other side of the house, and be alerted as soon as they wake up in the middle of the night.
However, you cannot use a baby monitor for their entire life. There comes a point when you need to stop using a baby monitor. But how do you know when to stop using a baby monitor? Here we will go through each question you have so you know exactly when and how to stop using a baby monitor.
How to Use a Baby Monitor
Baby monitors are best used from birth to 6 months. Because newborns cannot do anything for themselves, baby monitors were created so parents could watch over them at any given minute, day, or night. They will alert you when your baby wakes up and if the room is too hot or cold.
Once your child turns six months old, they typically begin to sit up, rollover, and move a lot more. They can do more things for themselves. They also should hopefully sleep better throughout the night. When this starts to happen for your baby, you can begin to use your baby monitor less.
By their first birthday, your child should sleep throughout the entire night, or close enough. They will be able to speak a couple of words and can call out if they need you during the night. This is when it is time to stop using a baby monitor at night.
Why Should You Stop Using Your Baby Monitor?
When your child is old enough, you can and should begin to stop using your baby monitor slowly. Your child needs to start gaining their independence, and this is one way to do that. Even though it may be challenging, especially if this is your first child; however, little by little, you can stop using your baby monitor and give your child independence.
It is perfectly normal for your baby to be noisy while sleeping. You do not need to wake up for every single noise. You typically only need to wake up when your child is crying. Cries are almost always loud enough to hear; therefore, you do not really need a baby monitor to hear your child cry.
If you go into their room and get them every time they make a noise, you are not teaching them good sleeping habits. They need to learn to put themselves back to sleep and to sleep throughout the entire night. This is why it is vital to stop using your baby monitor at night to ensure both you and your baby get sufficient sleep and develop strong sleep habits for the rest of their lives.
Can I Bring the Baby Monitor Back if I Need to?
Of course! Some parents choose to use a baby monitor when they are transitioning from a crib to a toddler bed. Sleeping in a new bed can be a scary thing, especially for someone so young. It is also a new thing for you as a parent! It is perfectly normal to use the baby monitor to watch them until they get comfortable with their new bed.
If your child has frequent nightmares, they sleepwalk or have other health problems; it is perfectly fine to continue using a baby monitor. However, if it is causing more problems than doing good, it is time to stop using the monitor. Make sure to determine exactly why you are using the monitor, and when you will stop.
What are Other Ways to Use a Baby Monitor?
Some parents will use their monitors to continue to watch their children as they play around the house. They want to make sure they are always on their best behavior, and watching them governs that. However, it can backfire on you. Kids need their privacy. If they find out you are watching them, they could change their behavior.
Tips on How to Stop Using a Baby Monitor
Now that we know it is time to stop using your baby monitor, how do you do that? While it may be scary at first, here are some tips and tricks to help you to stop using a baby monitor at night and during the day!
Ease Away From the Monitor Slowly
You do not have to stop using a baby monitor right away. Ease into it. It does take time both for you and your baby to learn to adapt without one, especially at night. Start by lowering the sound on so you only wake up during the major parts of the night, not every single time your baby moves and wakes up.
Little by little, you can slowly ease away and stop using a baby monitor at night. During the day, it shouldn’t be too hard. Set a timer to go check on your baby every 30 minutes, or whatever you feel comfortable with. Then, follow through. This will help you stop using a baby monitor during the day.
Have a Consistent Bedtime Routine
When you have a consistent bedtime routine, you can help your baby adjust better without the baby monitor. Write down your routine and then follow through with it. Talk to your child about what you are doing and prepare them for bed. Your nighttime routine is entirely up to you. When you are consistent with it, your child will understand bedtime better and will have a much sounder sleep, so you can sleep too!
Talk with Your Child
Even though they cannot communicate back, they still understand what you are saying. Talk to your child about what happens during the night. Confirm to them that you will help them at night if they need you. Communicate with your child that if they need you, they can come to get you or call for you.
If they are still a baby and cannot do those things, let them know as soon as you hear their cry, you will come to them. Communicating this will your child every night will help them trust you and will be able to sleep better. Then, you can stop using your baby monitor at night.
Every family will have different needs and schedules that will alter how and when they stop using a baby monitor. Babies will develop at different stages as well; however, this guide teaches why it is important to stop using a baby monitor and gives the best tips on how to stop. While each situation is different, learning to stop using a baby monitor at night will help you and your child get better sleep and be happier.