Driving with my newborn baby in the back seat, rear facing, I always wonder if a baby monitor with a camera would be better than a baby mirror. Sure the back seat baby mirror is the most common solution, but what about a real baby monitor for my car? Here’s what I learn…
Using a baby monitor in the car will definitely make your life easier and safer. No more re-adjuting the mirror or turn your head to see what is going on on the back seats, even when your baby is rear facing. The cam transmits the image to a video monitor mounted to your dashboard. However, before you start using a baby monitor into your car, you must beware of the following safety measure.
When I first start to travel with my newborn baby, I always felt anxious.
So, watching over my baby and driving was quite a bit difficult.
This is where a baby monitor for the car could make this situation a lot easier and safer.
All newborn babies have to travel into a rear-facing car seat. Which makes it extremely challenging to see if the baby is sleeping or awake.
If a child starts choking, his condition can deteriorate really quickly. Being able to see what really going on is essential. It makes a massive difference between having the time to stop the car in the next parking area or stopping right away on the side of the road to assist your kid.
Most parents will use a back seat mirror to watch their kid. The problem is those mirrors do not work well in mini-van or large SUV.
With an older kid, you can always scream “ARE YOU OK?” and wait for an answer. But with a newborn baby, he’s just not gonna answer.
The baby monitor is not a necessity inside a car, but parents have enough to think about when they’re driving with a baby on board.
The car baby monitor will provide an easy way to watch over your baby. It works like a GPS navigator. The monitor sits on the dash, and you just have to take a look at it.
3 baby monitors especially made for car
Installing a standard video baby monitor in the back seat of your car can be challenging. Therefore, some manufacturers have created their own baby monitor for car seats.
Here’s the most popular backseat camera for cars.
| Baby monitor | Types | Price | More details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yada car camera | Video | $$$$$ | Check price on Amazon |
| Garmin baby cam | Video | $$$$$ | Check price on Amazon |
| Zooby car monitor | Video | $$$$$ | Check price on Amazon |
How does a baby monitor for car seat work?
Your car baby monitor works precisely like the one you have at home. A camera is installed at the back, pointed at your baby, and the image is transmitted to a monitor located in the driver’s view.
Allowing the parent to quickly see how the baby is doing, without having to look in the mirror or turning the head to look in the back seat. The inconvenient head-turning with arm-reaching movements you have to make to check on your baby can be potentially dangerous.
A baby monitor for the car will provide a safer trip with your baby onboard, by staying focus on driving and avoid looking in the back of the vehicle. You only have to take a peek at the monitor. No need to adjust the mirror to try to find your baby in his car seat.
8 essential features for a car baby monitor
If you are looking for an excellent baby monitor for your car, you might want to consider the followings features. In my opinion, they are crucial to a good car baby monitor.
1. Camera
All baby monitor for car uses a camera. The quality of the resolution depends on the model of monitor you get. Just like a typical video baby monitor for the home.
Look for an anti-glare camera lens to get the best video quality.
Some model even let the parents add up to 4 cameras that can be combined and watch through 1 monitor. This is a good solution for twins or a large family.
2. Video monitor
Most car baby monitor used a small monitor, around 4 inches wide, that looks like a GPS navigator. The monitor has side buttons that enable you to adjust the contrast and brightness of the screen.
3. Nightvision
For parents who drive at night, I would recommend looking for a monitor that has the night vision feature. This is quite a useful feature because you can get a clear view of your child without opening the lights and risking to disturb your baby. Day or night, you can watch your kid through the monitor without a problem.
4. Wireless
The most useful models of baby monitors are wireless, and this is especially true inside a car. You don’t wont to worry about wire running through the car and risking to unplug it.
Also, loose wires are a danger to your baby. It’s possible that the monitor will need to be plugged into the electric outlet of the car, so make sure his little fingers cannot grab that wire. He could play with it and strangle himself.
5. Power source
You need to be careful because some car monitor needs to be always plugged into the 12-volt power point. They will require to run a wire along the car, but don’t worry those wire can be up to 16-foot long.
I would prefer a battery operated monitor. Some baby monitor simply needs 2 AA batteries. Wich simplifies a lot the use of the monitor. Some model will also notify you when the batteries are low.
6. Easy installation
Depending on the model you go for, the monitor might have to be installed differently.
One type of car baby camera is mount to the windshield with a suction cup for the rear-facing car seat and a headrest straps for front facing car seat.
The video monitor is mounted like a GPS navigator or a smartphone, and it includes a bracket with a lateral and vertical pivots points so you can adjust the position of the monitor screen.
The installation does require special tools or wiring. It’s only gonna take few minutes to set up the monitor into the car.
7. Pair with your navigator
One model in particular offer the possibility to pair the monitor with the car navigator. This means that you can view the GPS map and your baby on the same screen.
You don’t need to switch from one to another because it’s voice-activated. So you can speak a command to change from the GPS navigator to the baby monitor view.
8. Is your baby inside the car?
Another feature that I love very much is the baby monitoring app. As you arrive at your destination, the monitor will send an alert to check if your kid is still in the car. This could save lives. Every year babies are forgotten inside vehicles, and sometimes it’s fatal.
DIY baby monitor for rear facing car seat
As I was researching for car baby monitor, I found some very creative parents who did their own version of the camera monitor.
The first one uses a GoPro attached to the headrest and another install a rear-facing camera connect to the GPS navigator.
I’m not sure if those solutions are for everyone. If you feel confident about your DIY skills, why not giving it a try.
For me, I prefer to buy the original product, especially in the kid’s safety department.
Is a car baby monitor better than a baby car mirror?
The most popular option to monitor children while driving is the baby car mirror. This is what I used with my two kids, and it works fine for us.
What I found to be inconvenient with mirror is they need constant adjustment. Every time theirs a bump on the road the mirror shift. If I drive with a passenger, I can always ask his help to replace the mirror. When I’m alone, I need to stop the car and replace the mirror my self.
Back seat mirror comes in different shapes and sizes. Some need to be installed in the back window, with a suction cups. They end up blocking the visibility of the rear window.
Bottom line, mirrors are a simple solution that most parents choose because they didn’t know about the other option. If I knew about car baby monitor, you bet that I would have switched my cheap mirror for a camera monitor.
Is using a baby monitor safe for the driver?
Watching our kids is important and keeping them safe also. Yet, driving a car is one of those situations where you shouldn’t be distracted. That why mobile phones and any electronic devices should be avoided. It’s been well proven that it raises the chance of an accident.
The use of a hand-held device is prohibited in most states.
Nonetheless, it’s safe for the front seat passenger to use it. Which means the passenger can use it to watch the baby in the back seat. In my opinion, even if you are not driving, a baby monitor is still a handy solution to see what’s going on with the baby.
The only case where I would recommend not to use it is if you are driving alone. The risk of an accident is too high. It only takes a second to get distracted and crash.
If you plan to use it without a passenger, at least mount it to the dashboard, like a GPS navigator, at the edge between the dashboard and the windshield. Don’t place the loose monitor on the dash, because it could slide off and you could be tempted to pick up from the floor. At least, don’t hold the monitor in your hand.
A car baby monitor is not dangerous, it’s the way you use it, who could be a risk.
Tips when driving with kids
Here is some good advice to drive safe with children onboard. I know how difficult it can be.
Stay focused, even if your baby is crying. Try to keep your eyes on the road. It’s normal for babies to cry when they are hungry or restless. Try to talk to them with a calm voice and take a good breath.
If you need to stop the car immediately to assist your baby, take the time to find a safe spot to pull over. It won’t help if you cause an accident.
While driving, don’t try reach into the back seat, because it might cause the car to deviate from its lane.
Also, remember to baby proof your car by removing any loose objects, plastic bag, and tools.
My perspective on baby monitors for car
I’m definitely considering getting a baby monitor for my car. It will be handy when we go on long road trips.
Plus, I can use it while driving our camper van. It’s gonna be beneficial to see what going on with the kids really. No more, me asking “What’s that sound?” and the kids replying “nothing, dad!”. Also, I’m always nervous they will unbuckle their seat- belt and forget to put it back.
Since my babies are not babies anymore, I don’t need a baby monitor for the everyday driving. But, I wish I had one when they were in their rear-facing car seat.
P.S. If you’re seeking for the best baby monitor and hoping to find real reviews from real parents. You should check out this list I created of the top baby monitors.
To get the best insights and tips to find the best baby monitor, I read more than 300 reviews online and ask my friends or others parents. From all their insights and my own experience, I’ve built this list of the best baby monitors.