When Can You Quit the Monitor?

Updated on September 19, 2007
C.J. asks from Fort Lauderdale, FL
16 answers

Dear Moms,

My son is now 17 months old. He will still wake up at night occasionally with a dirty diaper, but usually sleeps through the night. We stopped using the video monitor in our bedroom a long time ago, but we still have the audio monitor on. Our bedroom is on the same floor and relatively close to my son's. At what age do you think it is okay to stop "listening"?

I would especially appreciate any advice from moms with children as old or older than mine. Thanks! C.

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M.D.

answers from Daytona Beach on

My son will be 3 in October. I still use the audio monitor and I love it. I just like to hear him breath and I'm ok. You can stop when you feel comfortable. The audio is manly for me.

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N.D.

answers from Miami on

Hi C.. With my first daughter I used the monitor for about a year and half. I realized that it was keeping me awake. Every little noise she made would wake us up. I suggest getting rid of the monitor now. I hardly ever used it with my second child. When they need something you will know it:) Good luck.

N.

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T.S.

answers from Boca Raton on

C.,

My daughter is 26 months and we still use ours. Most of the reason is our floorplan. Our bedroom is on the opposite side of the house than the other 3 bedrooms. With her door and our door shut I just feel more comfortable being able to hear if something was wrong.

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O.C.

answers from Miami on

My daughter is 4 yrs old and I still use mine. I rather hear if something is wrong right away instead of waiting for them to scream and then be totally awake taking them a long time to fall back asleep. I just feel safer that way. When she stops needing me completely at night then I'll stop. Also, I assume that at 17 months your son is not potty trained right? Well if that is the case when you do put him to bed without diapers on I can assure you that he will need to go to the bathroom at least once during the nigh. I don't know about you, but I never felt safe with her going to the WC alont at night so I would tell her to call me. So for that I needed the monitor as well. I put a potty by her bed but she would still want me to take her. Basically there is no right or wrong time. Whatever feels right for you. Hopefully though befor they are teenagers. Haa haa. LOL.......

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S.W.

answers from Boca Raton on

I stopped shortly after a year....My home is only 2000 square feet all on one floor...so I could hear her no matter where in the house I was. If you son is loud enough, then I'd say it's safe now. Is he loud enough to wake you at night if he gets up?? Simple wimpering is nothing, he can just fall back asleep, but can he wail to get your attention if he's hurt or needs you?

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J.E.

answers from Boca Raton on

I still use it with my 20 month old, I enjoy watching her. When my older child (now 4) moved into a big girl bed I still used one to make sure she was in bed. I used it until recently because it broke. For her it was video only just to make sure she stayed in bed. She has a habit of not staying in bed and wanting to play. I enjoy looking at them sleeping.

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T.B.

answers from Boca Raton on

We still use them! Our bedroom is down the hall from my 22 month old daughters, but bedrooms are upstairs and kitchen/family room downstairs. That's what we really need the monitor for still. Additionally, I have significant hearing loss... and I want to be able to hear her before it becomes a frantic crying fit. (She is also still in the crib and can't come get us if she needs us.) I'm due with #2 in December and am currently thinking I'll invest in another set of monitors! (Maybe video this time.)
As other Moms pointed out, use as long as YOU think.

T.

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A.H.

answers from Boca Raton on

It is hard to not always want to see them and make sure they are safe. We turned off our video monitor and audio at around the year and a half mark. Our son was able to call if he needed us, and our pediatrician had recommended that we do so, so we as parents could have a good nights sleep. We weren't really sleeping fully since there was the sound from the monitor or video if he turned over or coughed we could hear it loudly and clearly. All has been fine since it has been off, my son is now 2 1/2 and now he just comes into our room and lets us know if there is a problem!! :)

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C.W.

answers from Boca Raton on

Believe it or not my son is 3 years old, and I still have the video and audio monitors on. He has already fallen 2x out of toddler bed, threw up one time( Dad thought he was just crying).
May seem over protective, but I would rather be safe then sorry. Anything can happen, at any time. It gives me peace of mind. I also love to watch him sleep, and he lughs and giggles in his sleep...and it is so wonderful to hear and see. ( Not to mention he sometimes likes to get out of bed and play...)

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K.K.

answers from Boca Raton on

Our daughter is almost 2 1/2 and I still "listen" lol. I think now that she's in her "big girl bed" it's easier for her to get into trouble and I like to hear what's going on in there. Plus, I am a very paranoid mommy (LOL) so I just want to make sure she's alright. I think as long as you feel comfortable keeping it in there, do it for your own peace of mind. As long as your son isn't 12 with a mom listening in on a monitor, I think you're okay. LOL.

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L.B.

answers from Port St. Lucie on

Hi C.,

as long as your son knows his way to your room - you can probably shut it off - he knows where to find you - and as long as there aren't any stairs, etc that he can fall down - if you have nything that can hurt him if he just wanders - you may want to put up a gate so he can go like no further than yours and his room - if possible - just to be sure. Otherwise, chances are when he wakes up, he's gonna come find Momma first! :)

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G.P.

answers from Miami on

I think it depends on how heavy you sleep. My 2 yo twins are down the hall from us, but we still keep the monitor on. We keep the monitor in the master bathroom because if it was in our bedroom it would be even harder to sleep. Even though he only wakes up occasionaly now, he may start waking again for other things like teething, illness, or just a phase of waking. Like mine started doing again now. uggh!

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A.M.

answers from Boca Raton on

hi! I have a 3 and a half year old AND our second is the baby-she's 9 months. It makes me feel better, especially at night to be able to hear them both so I have our monitors set up to pick up sound from both rooms. So, when is it time to stop listening?... Whenever you feel ready. By the way, my older daughter knows that mommy can always hear her when she's in her room and I think it makes her more comfortable too. So that is what works for us. Also, my 3 year old STILL wakes up sometimes at night, but that is another topic all together. Anyway, just do what makes YOU feel comfortable. Either keep listening or decide to stop but do it whenever it is right for you. :)

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L.H.

answers from Miami on

my son is 4 & I still have the monitor in his room- the baby's room is *right* next to mine so I can hear him, no problem, lol! but if the 4 yr old calls out then I can turn on the monitor to assess the situation- I don't want him waking the baby...he does know the way to our room, and he will find us, but there are times when he calls for us to come to him- he wears a pullup at night for pee, but he will get up to poop and then needs us to wipe his tushie, lol

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D.G.

answers from Boca Raton on

My son is 7 and my daughter is 4 and we still listen. But my main reason is because we are in the back of the house and they are in the front so I want to be able to hear if there is anything going on in the front of the house because I can not hear in the back.

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J.L.

answers from Daytona Beach on

My son is 22 months and I still "listen"! I am a worry wart thought - but I did go on vacation with him recently and he had his own room at the hotel and I forgot to take the monitors, so I went that week without them and I really felt lost without them, like I was gonna miss something!

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