Owning a baby monitor might not be as necessary as you think. If you don’t have access to a monitor but still want to check on your child, this article is for you.
My partner and I struggled on a few occasions without a baby monitor. I wish I’d had a list like this to guide me to potential alternatives.
In this article, I’ll tell you about all the other ways you can make sure your baby is sleeping soundly when you’re not in the room.
This article will cover these 7 alternatives to a baby monitor:
Read on to learn about potential alternatives that can offer unique benefits and save you some money.
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.
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What features does a baby monitor substitute need?
The bare minimum needed in a baby monitor alternative is one-way audio. In other words, your device needs to at least be able to let you know when your baby is making noises!
Your alternative also needs to be reliable. There is no benefit to a machine that’s constantly on the fritz or only picks up loud sounds. Whatever you choose, make sure you can hear even quiet noises over the signal.
With those considerations in mind, I found 7 simple alternatives to use if you have no baby monitor.
Top 7 Alternatives to a Baby Monitor
1- Phone
One of the most accessible makeshift baby monitors is a smartphone. Most of us already own them, so there’s no need to buy another gadget!
You need two phones for this method. Or, you can use one cell and a different device like a laptop or tablet. Next, I’ll explain how to use tablets and laptops as monitors.
There are a few ways you can use your phone to observe your baby’s sleep.
- Phone calling
- Video calling
- Specialized app
Here’s how each works.
To use a phone call, it’s pretty simple; you just need the two devices. From phone #1, make a call to phone #2 or the laptop or tablet. Then, leave one of the cells in your baby’s nursery and keep them connected for as long as you need.
If you want to do a video call so you can see if your baby wakes up and moves around, use one of the phone’s features like Facetime or Skype. In addition to the two devices, you’ll also need two Skype accounts.
Last, you can use a specialized app like Faebir or Cloud Baby Monitor – there are tons of options
! These offer cool features like activity logs and vibration alerts.
Make sure you leave the phone close enough to the crib to hear any cries without putting it right next to your baby.
For more information, check out this guide I created on how to use a smartphone as a baby monitor.
2- Tablet
Using a tablet to see your child from afar is fairly similar to a phone. It involves utilizing the call features or a specialized baby monitoring app.
Try out options like Google Hangouts and Skype if you want simple video monitoring. Again, you’ll need two devices and two accounts.
I tried this out with my phone and a tablet, and it worked like a charm!
Remember that when you use a tablet, your video monitoring is normally dependent on WiFi. This means that if your WiFi goes out in the middle of the night or a nap, you will lose connection and potentially won’t hear your tot wake up.
3- Webcams
A webcam is another device that smoothly transitions to a makeshift baby monitor. The idea behind this strategy is that you’re utilizing a tool like Facetime, Skype, or a specialized app to record the video.
Webcams are often integrated into laptops, which makes this a great choice if you already own one.
If your computer doesn’t already have a webcam, check out Amazon, Best Buy, and Target for cheap options.
Then, use either your laptop’s camera or the separate webcam and connect it to your computer using Bluetooth or a USB cord. Some webcams are wireless, so it will depend on your device.
To finish the process, choose an online monitor app to convert your webcam, and you’re ready to sleep soundly.
Pros and Cons of Phones, Tablets, and Laptops as Baby Monitors
Cellphones, tablets, and webcams all use a similar system for baby monitoring. Here are the benefits and disadvantages of this group of gadgets.
Pros:
- You probably already own one!
- Super easy to use
- Portable and reliable
Cons:
- You need two devices
- Dependent on WiFi
- Often run out of charge quickly
4- Security Cams
More and more parents are buying indoor and outdoor security cameras to feel safer in their homes. These are easy to use instead of baby monitors, and they offer several benefits.
I found some incredible features for the newest security cams on the market. Here are my favorite specs.
- Remote access: Peek in on your tot, even when you’re not home.
- Night vision: It’s as futuristic as it sounds! See what your baby is up to in the dark.
- Recording: Perfect if you’re on a trip and don’t want to miss a moment with your baby.
- Digital zoom and remote mobility: Move the camera around to scan the room, even if you’re far away.
My personal favorite feature is the recording capability. I have a few friends with recordable security cams, and they have caught some hilarious moments with their toddlers on camera!
Security cameras are effortless to transition because they’re already designed to monitor your house. There’s also no worry about losing a charge because they’re designed to run for hours on end.
For more information, check out this article I wrote about using home security cams as a baby monitor. Moreover, I suggest reading this review I made about the Google Nest Cam, one of the best security cams to use as a baby monitor.
5- Walkie-Talkie or 2-Way Radio
To use a Walkie-talkie or 2-way radio as a baby monitor, you need one that does not require manual activation.
Most of the devices we used back in the day had a button to press when you were ready to talk. Luckily, nowadays, lots of 2-way radios come with voice activation. You just start talking (or baby starts crying) and you can hear it on the other end.
Walkie-talkies have a farther range than most baby monitors, and they offer two-way audio so you can even sing a lullaby to your baby.
The best part about a Walkie-talkie instead of a baby monitor? When your kids are old enough, you can use them as a fun toy for hide and seek and outdoor adventures!
Walkie-talkies got us through the years of tech-free games when we were kids, and now we can use them to keep an eye on our own.
Wondering which walkie-talkie to get? Here’s a solid option at a reasonable price sold on Amazon.
6- Amazon Echo and other Smart Speakers
Similar to security systems, devices called smart speakers are taking the world by storm. These gadgets let you speak to your home, like in a Sci-Fi movie. Ask Alexa or Siri to tell you the weather, play a song, or – watch your baby?
Not exactly. The way you use a smart speaker for baby monitoring is similar to how you would a phone or tablet.
For Alexa, you can spy on your sweet tot with the “drop-in” feature or by calling. Use the speaker to call your phone or laptop, then listen in while your kiddo sleeps!
Here are some pros and cons to smart speakers if you have no baby monitor:
Pros
- You might already own one
- Great audio quality
- Long-lasting battery life or wired charging
Cons
- Some users say calls drop after a few hours
- They use WiFi, so if the signal is lost, the monitor will be too
7- A Deviceless Approach
During my research of the best baby monitor substitutes, one thing stood out to me. Professionals agree that there is nothing better than your supervision and close proximity for a baby’s safe and happy sleeping.
When you decide on the layout of your baby’s nursery, keep in mind that you’ll want to be near them as much as possible. And, when they’re sleeping, try keeping the nursery door open. That way, it’s easier to hear noises.
Alternatively, consider buying a portable travel crib. That way, when your baby is napping during the day, you can keep them close to you, even in the same room!
Regardless, always make sure to physically check on your child and use safe sleeping practices.
Takeaway
If you decide to go with a tech device alternative, make sure to test the gadget from different distances and rooms. Also, check on the effectiveness with varying sound levels, like a loud cry or a sleepy babble.
You can use something you already own, like a phone, laptop, security cam, or smart speaker. Or, get a cheap makeshift baby monitor like a Walkie-talkie!
And whatever you decide, make sure to always use safe sleeping practices and regularly check on your little one.
If you have a tight budget, there’s no need to spend hundreds of dollars on an expensive baby monitor. Use this list to determine if you can use something you already own and save some money.
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.