Baby monitors and sensors
8-minute read
Key facts
- A baby monitor can help you watch your baby from a distance, or to track their heart rate or breathing.
- Different baby monitors can track audio (sound) and video (images) of your baby, as well as their movement, heart rate, breathing rate and oxygen levels.
- If you have a baby monitor, it is important to continue safe sleeping practices and regularly check on your baby in person.
- A baby monitor is only an alarm, and it will not save your baby's life on its own — you need to be able to respond to the alarm and know how to do first aid.
Why use a baby monitor?
A baby monitor can help you listen or look out for your baby from a distance. For example, you might choose to use a baby monitor so you can hear your baby cry if you are downstairs or in another room where you cannot easily hear them.
It is safest for your baby to sleep in your room, in their own cot or bed, for the first 6 to 12 months.
If your baby was born prematurely or has breathing problems, your doctor might recommend a breathing or heart monitor. They might also suggest a monitor if your baby:
- has needed to be resuscitated (revived) — for example, if they were found not breathing, blue, white or floppy
- has regular and long episodes of pauses in their breathing, or a slow heart rate
- has a breathing disorder or condition that affects their breathing
What types of baby monitors are there?
There are a few different types of baby monitors and sensors. Some use Wi-Fi, and others use radio signals.
Video and audio monitors
An audio monitor works like a 'walkie-talkie'. This type of monitor allows you to hear noises your baby makes when you are not in the room.
A video monitor sends a video image from a camera in your baby's room. Sometimes these monitors come with their own tablet device to view the video on.
Some monitors capture both audio and video.
App monitor
There are several apps that let you turn your phone or tablet into a monitor. The apps can help your device function as either an audio or video monitor, depending on the app. These might not be as sensitive or as high quality as specially designed baby monitors.
Movement monitor
Some video monitors can alert you if they detect movement.
You can also use a mat monitor. This monitor is placed underneath your baby's cot sheet or mattress. It sends an alarm if your baby does not move for a set amount of time.
Heart and breathing monitor
These monitors use electrode dots attached to the baby's chest. These monitor chest movement and the electrical activity of the heart. An alarm goes off if the heart rate falls below a set level, or if there is a long pause in the baby's breathing. Sometimes, these monitors come in the form of a wearable device. Some of them are linked to a computer, which assesses how serious the situation is.
Oxygen measurement monitors and oximeters
Oxygen monitors are used in hospitals. They are also part of some home monitors. They send an alarm when the oxygen level recorded in the baby's skin falls below a set level.
Monitors for hearing impaired carers
Instead of audio alarms, these monitors use lights or vibrations to tell hearing impaired carers if their baby needs their attention.
How reliable are baby monitors?
A baby monitor is only an alarm. It will not save your baby's life on its own.
It is important that you know how to respond to an alarm and know what to do.
Make sure your CPR skills are up to date.
Everyone who looks after the baby should know what to do in an emergency situation.
It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor, midwife or early childhood nurse before buying a monitor. They can advise you on how to respond to a monitor's alarm.
False alarms and power failures
Monitors are not always accurate. Their alarms can go off even when nothing is wrong. This can be very stressful for parents and carers.
They can also stop working if the power, battery or signal connection fails.
Risk of injury
There is a chance of your baby getting caught up in the electrical leads attached to monitors.
Be sure to always use the monitor according to the instructions on the package. Keep any cords secure and away from your baby’s sleeping space.
Sudden infant death syndrome
There is no evidence that baby monitors prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Baby monitors can only raise an alarm to try to get your attention. They should not replace other safe sleeping strategies to reduce the chance of SIDS. These strategies include:
- laying your baby on their back to sleep
- keeping your baby’s head and face uncovered while they sleep
- keeping your baby’s area free of smoke
- sleeping in the same room as your baby for the first 6 to 12 months, in different beds
Buying a baby monitor
Baby monitors range from $40 to $800 to buy.
When choosing a monitor, there are things to consider.
Look for monitors that:
- will transmit signals over a large distance, so you can be notified even when you are far away
- have a wide enough angle on their camera to view your baby at all times
- if using radio signals to work, have different channels so you can avoid interference
- have lights as well as sounds to alert you to your baby's crying
- have a battery as well as mains power in case of power failure
- have a camera mount suitable for your needs
Resources and support
You can read Red Nose Australia articles about:
There are no approved standards in Australia for baby monitors sold to the public. However, you can read the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s product safety guide for Smart home devices, including baby monitors.
Speak to a maternal child health nurse
Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.
Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: March 2025
