Trading in my digital video monitor for a safer analog audio monitor
When I came across a conversation on Facebook on the Nourishing Our Children page about baby monitors and their safety concerns, I was absolutely shocked.
I had no idea that my baby monitor emitted microwave radiation to my precious baby’s brain. I am absolutely appalled — how could these be legal?! (Some cell phone towers built too close to schools are becoming illegal.) I am especially sensitive, as I did not have an ultrasound scan during either of my pregnancies and I don’t own a microwave because I have read about their dangers. How could I not have known about this?!
Out with the “old” and in with the “new”
When I found all of this out, at about 11pm one night, I couldn’t sleep — my baby was already asleep, so I could not go in to turn the monitor off. The next day, I decided to stop living in the guilt and just move forward. I went to Target and bought an analog audio monitor that has only 40mHz. This is compared to the 2.4 GHz digital video monitor that we were using (can you imagine, 2400 mHz?!) I could be so, so upset about it, but I am trying to remain calm. I am trying to live and learn and move on.
According to The Healthy Home Economist’s informative article: “The long term effects of microwave radiation on children’s developing brains is completely unknown” and parents are “increasingly taking precautions to minimize their children’s exposure to any sort of microwave technology.”
Also, an article from the Wired Child explains the level of radiation of certain technologies through a chart — from cell phones to microwaves to lap tops to baby monitors. This has really been an eye-opener.
In addition to getting a new analog monitor, and keeping it as far away from her sweet, growing brain as possible, I have made other changes, not only for my children with their still-developing brains, but also for my and my husband’s safety:
- I try to use a hands-free device for my cell phone
- Keep my cell phone (which is not a smart phone) as far from the kids as possible
- Turn off cell phone at night (and never leave it next to your bedside!)
- When using lap top, use a hard surface so it isn’t on my lap (especially if pregnant!)
- Turn off Wi-Fi at night
Do I really need a baby monitor?
My two and a half year old son doesn’t need a monitor. I was continuing to use his from babyhood (another digital video monitor, but thankfully, this one was less exposure at 900mHz.) I enjoyed watching him on it, while he read his books at night, and in the morning when he first woke up. But this was not necessary. If he needs us at night, he knows he can knock loudly on his door and we will come running. (We have a child safety lock on his door because he would not stay in his room at night.)
My daughter doesn’t need a video monitor. As much as I would love to see that little snuggle-bug all the time, it is not necessary and CERTAINLY it is not worth risking her health. I am absolutely sick that I sacrificed her little brain. My only saving grace is that I only started using the monitor about two months ago because, before that, I would sleep in the twin bed with her in her room.
(I have since moved upstairs with my husband because he missed me — and I missed him — and because our king bed is so much more comfortable! I still fall asleep with her a lot — either at night or in the middle of the night, but for my sanity, I need to sleep apart from her so I can actually be comfy and get some good rest.)
She is a pretty sound sleeper, only getting up once a night, but sometimes twice. However, her little cries are so little and quaint that they are impossible to hear — this is the complete opposite from my son’s robust and huge scream. She will fuss, but it is hardly audible and you come running and she has tears streaming down her cheeks! It breaks my heart when I don’t hear her for a couple of minutes. Of course, co-sleeping would be safest, in terms of radiation exposure, but as I said earlier, I need my rest and that is just not the way I can get it.
So we have settled on the much safer analog audio monitor. And I make sure to turn it off when she is not sleeping. (And the price was right at $19.99 compared with $189.99 for our second video monitor!)
Some may call my outrage crazy. Just another “Amy loon episode.” I don’t care. We must make these things known. In a world of smart phones and cell phones and microwaves and brain cancer — nothing is sacred — not even the little baby monitor we use to hear our baby’s sweet cries at night, but we must continue to learn!
Let me know what you think! Is this news to you? What are your gut reactions?
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I have a video monitor and I love it! I don’t want to hear bad things about it!! :) Darn.
I know, Sanz, I was so depressed, but do what you think is best :) It is so nice to see them, but this is just what we did.
Hello, I came across this blog through research for a safe (less emf) monitor for my son. He is 2 so probably shouldn’t have one, but our bedroom is a little far and I feel comfortable having one. What analog monitor did you end up purchasing? Would you recommend? Thanks so much,
I think any analog is safer than a video — i wouldn’t be able to guess specifics! :)
We have an analog video monitor but it is discontinued! Wish I could find another to expand our system for the new baby!
Whats the brand?????? I would love to chase up the company and see if we could get them to reconsider releasing them again!
Good post.
You definitely made the right choice by taking out your digital wifi enabled 2.4 Ghz baby monitor is and going with an audio monitor. As a mom you will never be sorry for keeping your children safe. Think about how much healthier mentally and physically your children will be for a life time! Thanks for the post and sharing. YOU are not loony but wise!!
Thanks for the info, I thought you might want to check this out https://www.bellyarmor.com/smart-nova-baby-monitor/ It’s 97% less radiation with all the benefits of a video monitor!
It’s hard to find non wireless monitors these days .
Can you recommend any models ?
Thanks
It’s hard to find non wireless monitors these days .
Can you please recommend any models ?
Thanks
Are you aware that mHz is the frequency of the radio waves emitted? You should be more concerned with the power output (mW). You could very well have replaced a low power video monitor at a frequency range that barely penetrates the skin with a higher output analog audio monitor that can pass directly through the baby’s body.
Why are you speaking publicly about something which you clearly have no knowledge. Wouldn’t it be better to do some research before posting?
What did you write this on? Unless you’re literally in a radiation suit and your children were next door behind a lead wall… You exposed them to radiation. Which, fortunately for them isn’t a big deal.
On the one hand, I support anything and anyone who wants to do whatever they can to ensure that their baby is healthy. On the other hand, where do you draw the line? It’s a hop, skip, and a jump away from that and, doing what you did (unsafely not getting an ultrasound). That was overkill, and could have resulted in unnecessary injury and possibly death to your baby. Sound waves aren’t the same thing as microwave radiation…
Furthermore, everything, without exception, oscillates at a particular frequency. So-called “microwave radiation” is simply a range on the electromagnetic spectrum, as are sunlight, starlight, and lamplight. If you want to guilt trip the millions of men and women who are (safely) using baby monitors, and virtue signal about what an amazing mom you are by not introducing your baby’s “sweet, precious, developing brain” to harmless signals, at least educate yourself on what they are, and how they work.
I’m sorry if I’m coming across too strongly, but, as the husband of a beautiful woman who is the mother of my children, who is a borderline hypochondriac who can easily turn her worries on our children, I don’t appreciate your lack of education on the subject.
Thanks for your comment. Please see my post on “you’re not in control” :) blessings.
Hi Amy,
I’m glad you’re talking about this! After learning about EMF, we took our wifi baby monitors out of our kiddos’ rooms.
I became aware of EMF after growing super sensitive to it following my Lyme diagnosis. I now run a website that seeks to raise awareness of this invisible (and increasing) threat.
Keep up the good work & keep talking about stuff like this – despite the naysayers and name callers!