Is It Okay to Not Have a Baby Monitor? What Parents in Vancouver Are Choosing Instead
It’s 2 a.m. Your baby is sleeping peacefully in the next room. You’re curled up on the couch, phone in hand, scrolling through memes, wondering-do I even need that baby monitor? You’ve heard the advice: baby monitor is non-negotiable. But what if you don’t use one? Is that unsafe? Or just outdated?
Many parents skip baby monitors-and they’re not reckless
In Vancouver, where many families live in smaller homes and apartments, it’s common to hear parents say, ‘We just check on our baby when we wake up.’ And they’re not alone. A 2024 survey of 1,200 Canadian parents found that 37% of those with infants under six months don’t use a baby monitor. Not because they’re careless, but because they’ve found other ways to feel safe.
Some parents sleep in the same room as their baby. Others have open floor plans where they can hear a cry from the kitchen. A few rely on their own sleep patterns-waking up naturally when their baby stirs. These aren’t exceptions. They’re practical choices shaped by space, culture, and personal rhythm.
What baby monitors actually do (and what they don’t)
Let’s be clear: a baby monitor isn’t a life-saving device. It doesn’t prevent SIDS. It doesn’t detect breathing problems. It doesn’t replace supervision. What it does is extend your hearing. It lets you know if your baby is crying, fussing, or making unusual noises while you’re in another room.
But here’s the thing-babies make noise. A lot of it. Grunts, sighs, little whimpers, even full-on screams that turn out to be just a leg twitch. Most monitors pick up all of it. And if you’re already awake, or your baby’s room is next to yours, you might hear all the sounds you need to hear without any tech.
Some monitors claim to track heart rate or oxygen levels. These are called ‘breathing monitors’ or ‘smart monitors.’ But the American Academy of Pediatrics says there’s no evidence these devices reduce SIDS risk in healthy babies. In fact, they can cause more anxiety-false alarms, battery drops, Wi-Fi glitches. One mom in Surrey told me she stopped using hers after three weeks because she was checking the app every 10 minutes. She felt worse, not better.
When a baby monitor makes sense
There are real situations where a monitor helps:
- You have a large house and your baby sleeps far from your bedroom.
- You’re recovering from childbirth and can’t get up easily.
- Your baby has a medical condition that requires close observation.
- You’re a new parent and the silence feels unnerving-you need the reassurance.
For these cases, a basic audio monitor (no camera, no sensors) costs under $50 and works fine. You don’t need a $300 device with night vision and lullabies. Just something that lets you hear your baby when they’re not right next to you.
Alternatives to baby monitors that actually work
Many parents who don’t use monitors rely on these simple, proven methods:
- Sleeping in the same room. The AAP recommends room-sharing for at least the first six months. If your baby’s crib is beside your bed, you’ll hear them stir. No monitor needed.
- Open layouts. If your bedroom opens into the nursery or living area, sound carries. A baby’s cry travels further than you think-even through closed doors.
- Using your own sleep cycles. New parents often wake up naturally when their baby does. Your body adjusts. You’ll get up before the cry becomes a scream.
- Checking before bed. A quick glance, a hand on the baby’s back, a whisper-these rituals build confidence. You’re not relying on a machine; you’re trusting your instincts.
One father in North Vancouver told me he doesn’t use a monitor, but he always puts his baby’s crib right next to his side of the bed. ‘I touch her foot when I roll over,’ he said. ‘If I don’t feel it, I wake up.’ That’s not luck. That’s awareness.
What about safety? Isn’t this risky?
There’s no data showing that parents who skip monitors have higher rates of infant harm. In fact, countries like Sweden and Finland-where co-sleeping is common and monitors are rare-have some of the lowest SIDS rates in the world. Their focus is on safe sleep practices: back sleeping, firm mattress, no blankets, no bumpers, no smoke.
Monitoring technology doesn’t replace those basics. It just adds noise. And noise can make you tired. And tired parents make more mistakes.
The real risk isn’t not having a monitor. It’s thinking you need one to be a good parent. That’s the myth.
How to decide what’s right for you
Ask yourself these questions:
- Can you hear your baby from where you usually are? (Try this: stand in your living room, turn off all devices, and listen. Can you hear a cry from the nursery?)
- Do you feel anxious when you can’t see your baby? If yes, a simple audio monitor might help you relax.
- Do you sleep deeply? If you’re a heavy sleeper, a monitor might give you peace of mind.
- Is your home layout practical for hearing your baby? Small homes = easier to hear.
- Have you talked to your pediatrician about your sleep plan? They can tell you if your baby’s health needs extra monitoring.
If you answer ‘yes’ to two or more of these, a monitor might be useful. If you answered ‘no’ to all, you’re probably fine without one.
What to do if you’re unsure
Try this: borrow a basic audio monitor from a friend. Use it for two weeks. See if it actually changes your sleep or stress levels. If it doesn’t, return it. If it does, keep it. No guilt. No pressure.
Or, if you’re nervous, start with a simple trick: place a baby-safe baby sock with a tiny, battery-powered motion sensor inside your baby’s onesie. It doesn’t transmit sound-it just vibrates if your baby moves. It’s not a monitor. But it’s a gentle nudge if you’re worried.
Trust your instincts, not the marketing
The baby monitor industry is worth billions. Ads show perfect parents calmly sipping tea while their baby sleeps soundly-thanks to a glowing screen. But real life isn’t like that. Real parents are tired. Real babies cry. Real homes are messy.
You don’t need a monitor to be a good parent. You need to be present. You need to know your baby’s sounds. You need to trust that you’ll wake up when it matters.
Many parents in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal are choosing to skip the monitor-and they’re raising healthy, happy kids. You can too.
Is it safe to not use a baby monitor?
Yes, it’s safe for healthy babies if you practice safe sleep habits and can hear your baby when they cry. The American Academy of Pediatrics doesn’t require baby monitors. What matters most is room-sharing, back sleeping, and a clear crib. Many families around the world raise babies without monitors and have low rates of infant incidents.
Do baby monitors prevent SIDS?
No. Baby monitors, including those that track breathing or heart rate, have not been proven to prevent SIDS in healthy infants. The AAP states that these devices may give a false sense of security. The best way to reduce SIDS risk is to follow safe sleep guidelines: place your baby on their back, use a firm mattress, and keep the crib free of blankets, pillows, and toys.
What’s the best alternative to a baby monitor?
The most effective alternative is sleeping in the same room as your baby, ideally with their crib right next to your bed. This lets you hear and feel your baby without technology. Other options include open floor plans, using your own sleep cycles to wake up naturally, and checking on your baby before you go to sleep. These methods are simple, free, and proven over time.
Are smart baby monitors worth the money?
For most families, no. Smart monitors with cameras, temperature sensors, and lullabies cost $200-$400 and often add stress, not safety. They can glitch, drain batteries, or send false alerts. A basic audio monitor under $50 does the same job-letting you hear your baby-without the distractions. Only consider a smart monitor if you have a specific medical need or live far from your baby’s room.
I feel guilty not using a monitor. Is that normal?
Yes, it’s very normal. The baby product industry markets monitors as essential, which makes parents feel like they’re failing if they don’t use one. But parenting isn’t about buying the right gear-it’s about paying attention. If you’re checking on your baby regularly, trusting your instincts, and following safe sleep practices, you’re doing everything that matters. Guilt comes from marketing, not from real risk.
Final thought: You’re already doing better than you think
You didn’t need a monitor to know your baby’s cry. You didn’t need a sensor to feel their breath when you kissed their forehead. You didn’t need an app to know when they were hungry or tired.
Parenting isn’t about technology. It’s about presence. And if you’re reading this, wondering if you’re doing enough-you already are.
