How to Use Apple Watch as a Baby Monitor?
Having a baby is one of the most exciting times in a person’s life. As a new parent, you want to keep your little one safe and sound. A baby monitor allows you to check on your baby when you are in another room. But did you know how to use an Apple watch as a baby monitor?
Your Apple Watch offers an innovative way to monitor your baby from your wrist. This wearable device allows you to move around while watching your child. This guide will explore how to set up and use an Apple Watch as a helpful baby monitor.
Benefits of Using an Apple Watch as a Baby Monitor
There are many advantages to using an Apple Watch as a baby monitor:
Mobility
The primary benefit is mobility. With your baby monitor strapped to your wrist, you can freely move around your home while monitoring your baby. There’s no need to lug around a standalone monitor. Your Watch allows you to check on your baby even while your hands are full, like when cooking, cleaning, or exercising.
Hands-Free Monitoring
Since the Apple Watch is worn on your wrist, monitoring happens hands-free. It is easy to quickly glance at your Watch to view the live video stream from your baby’s room. This hands-free design makes watching baby monitors very convenient.
Multi-Tasking
The Apple Watch makes multi-tasking easy for busy parents. You can keep the baby monitor Watch app running while using other apps on your Watch, like Messages, Mail, Calendar, and more. The Apple Watch becomes your command center.
Portability
An Apple Watch is lightweight and portable. You can wear it in the shower, running errands, at the office, and more. The monitor stays with you wherever your wrist goes. Large standalone monitors usually confine you to one spot.
Extra Functions
The Apple Watch isn’t just for baby monitoring. It also handles many day-to-day tasks, like calendar alerts, messages, news updates, music controls, activity tracking, etc. The Watch conveniently combines a baby monitor with many other helpful functions.
Affordability
For parents who already own an Apple Watch, there are no extra costs for hardware. The only added cost is the price of the baby monitoring app. Many quality apps cost around $4.99 one-time or offer free versions. This makes an Apple Watch an affordable baby monitoring option, especially compared to monitors costing $100+.
Setting Up Baby Monitoring on the Apple Watch
Using your Apple Watch as a baby monitor requires just a few steps to set up:
1. Install a Baby Monitor App
The first step is to install a baby monitor app from the App Store onto your iPhone. There are several highly-rated options:
- Baby Monitor 3G: Works over WiFi and 3G—real-time audio and video. Cloud storage is available—$ 4.99.
- Baby Monitor by ZenoRadio LLC: Free or $4.99 Pro version with multiple cameras. Real-time video. Alerts.
- Baby Monitor by Sproutling: Links with Sproutling baby monitor band. Syncs stats and audio. Free.
- Baby Monitor & Camera: Motion-based alerts. Temperature and humidity data. Cloud storage. Free and $4.99 plan.
- iBaby Monitor: Night vision and two-way talkback. Syncs with iBaby camera. Several plans are available.
Pick an app that fits your needs and budget. Read reviews to ensure the video stream is lag-free and reliable.
2. Connect iPhone to Camera
Install the companion baby camera that pairs with the app you selected. Popular options are iBaby, Nanit, Miku, Moonybaby, VTech, and more. Follow the setup process to connect the camera to your home WiFi network. The iPhone and Apple Watch app will connect to the camera’s video stream over the cloud.
3. Download Watch App
Find the Apple Watch companion app for your chosen iPhone baby monitor app. Download the Watch app so it can sync data from your iPhone. For example, if you install Baby Monitor 3G, install the Baby Monitor 3G Watch App.
4. Allow App Notifications
On your Apple Watch, allow notifications from the baby monitor app you installed. This lets the app directly send alerts about detected sounds and motion to your Watch.
And that’s it! With just those simple steps, your Apple Watch will display the live video feed from your connected baby monitor camera.
Using the Apple Watch Baby Monitor
Once set up, your Apple Watch provides a helpful baby monitoring experience right from your wrist. Here are valuable tips for getting the most out of your Watch as a monitor:
Open the Monitoring App
The monitoring app you installed, like Baby Monitor 3G, must be open and running on your Apple Watch. Swipe through your apps to launch it. The live video feed from the nursery camera will be displayed on your Watch face.
Check the Video Stream
Glance at the video stream to visually check on your sleeping baby as needed. Many apps allow you to zoom and pan for a better view. The video lets you see your baby and the crib or room scene. Monitor your baby’s breathing patterns, sleeping position, and movements.
Listen to Audio
Your Watch syncs the audio from your baby’s room. Listen for sounds of stirring, crying, or calling out. Quality apps filter background noise so you only hear essential sounds. Turn up the volume if your Watch isn’t in close listening range.
Receive Alerts
App alerts notify you of detected sounds and motion. Loud noises, cries, and unexpected movements will trigger an alert on your Apple Watch with sounds and vibrations so you know when your baby needs attention.
Access Controls
Use app controls on your Watch to remotely pan and tilt your camera or turn on lullabies. Extra controls may include temperature readings, night lights, and more. Adjust settings as needed to aid your baby’s sleep.
Multi-task
Tap away from the app and use your Watch usually while receiving monitor alerts. Respond to notifications, track exercise, make payments, and more while monitoring your baby in the background.
Use On-the-Go
One major perk of the Apple Watch baby monitor is its mobility. Wear it when leaving the house, running errands, stepping outside, or anywhere you need portable monitoring. If your Watch and phone connect to the camera, you’ll receive monitoring and alerts from afar.
Handy Apple Watch Baby Monitor Features
From night vision to motion sensing, Apple Watch baby monitor apps offer helpful features:
Two-Way Audio
Many apps allow two-way talkback through your Watch. Press a button to talk to your baby through the monitor camera’s built-in speaker. Soothe your baby with the sound of your voice.
Multiple Cameras
Monitor multiple children by adding extra cameras. View and toggle between different rooms or camera angles right from your wrist.
Night Vision Mode
Infrared LEDs enable night vision video streams even in dark nurseries and bedrooms. Keep tabs on your baby’s sleep all night long.
Motion and Sound Alerts
Get notified when the monitor detects noises or movements. Crying, stirring, and even rolling over trigger instant alerts.
Room Temperature
Some apps display real-time readings of nursery temperature and humidity. Make sure your baby’s room is a comfortable sleep environment.
Cloud Storage
Automatically store monitor footage on secure cloud servers. Review past videos for insight into sleep patterns and baby’s overnight activity. Some cloud plans provide access from multiple devices.
Password Protection
Protect your baby’s privacy with passwords, preventing unauthorized access. Only those who know the password can view the camera streams.
Tips for Effective Baby Monitoring with Apple Watch
Follow these tips to enhance your Apple Watch baby monitoring:
Wear it Properly
For the best view, wear your Apple Watch just above your wrist bone, not dangling loosely on your arm. Choose a snug but comfortable band that keeps the Watch face upright.
Keep Watch Close By
When wearing your Watch to bed or lounging at home, keep it within arm’s reach on your nightstand for easy viewing. Don’t rely on WiFi stretching across your entire home.
Reduce Watch Clutter
On the monitor watch app, turn off any clutter on the stream, like heart rate displays or notifications covering the video. Disable Always-On-Display if it interferes with the stream.
Enable Do Not Disturb
Turn on Do Not Disturb on your iPhone while using it as a baby monitor to block calls from disrupting video streams. Allow calls from family and your baby’s doctor to reach you when needed.
Turn Off After Use
Don’t forget to close the monitor app on your Watch correctly after each use. This will prevent unnecessary battery drain.
Maintain Connection
If your Watch loses connection to your phone, it could disrupt monitoring functionality. Bring your cell phone to maintain a connection when leaving your baby’s vicinity. If the phone and Apple Watch disconnect, you may miss crying alerts.
Consider a Standalone Monitor as a Backup
For extra assurance, some parents keep a standalone audio monitor as a backup in case of any WiFi disruptions to the Watch. This provides a second monitoring option if the Watch encounters connectivity issues.
Charge Watch Nightly
Get in the habit of charging your Apple Watch overnight while sleeping. This ensures your Watch has a full battery at the start of each day to get you through many hours of monitoring your baby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Apple Watch need to be on your wrist to work as a monitor?
No, fortunately, the Apple Watch will function as a monitor while it is off your wrist, like while charging at night on your nightstand. However, wearable convenience is one of the main advantages, so you generally want to keep it on your wrist whenever actively monitoring or out and about.
How far can I be from my baby with the Apple Watch acting as a monitor?
This mainly depends on maintaining a connection between your phone, Watch, and WiFi camera. Most users can roam 100-150 feet away before losing connection, allowing you to move freely about your home. Extended range requires bringing your phone as well.
Can the Apple Watch camera zoom?
Zoom capabilities depend on the app. Some baby monitor apps designed for Apple Watch allow zooming and panning the camera view for a closer look at your baby. Check the app features before downloading.
How long does the Apple Watch battery last when monitoring?
When actively running the monitoring app, battery life is reduced but can still last 3-5 hours on a single charge. Turn off the Always-On display to conserve battery. Charge nightly to start each day with maximum battery for monitoring.
Can I use an Apple Watch to monitor multiple babies?
Many apps support connecting with multiple cameras to monitor two or more babies from the same Apple Watch. Add extra cameras to the app and easily toggle between rooms and angles.
Is the Apple Watch video stream live or delayed?
A good WiFi connection provides virtually lag-free live video without delays. However, poor WiFi could cause lag and latency in the video stream. Check your WiFi signal strength for optimal live streaming.
Conclusion
The Apple Watch offers parents an innovative and helpful way to monitor their baby right from their wrist. With mobility, hands-free use, and intelligent features like alerts and night vision, the Apple Watch provides convenience and peace of mind. Before setting up your Apple Watch as a baby monitor, ensure it’s ready for the task by cleaning the band, following the steps in our guide; this ensures your Watch is charged, on your wrist, and in perfect condition for the most effective monitoring experience, allowing both you and your baby to sleep more soundly with your Apple Watch keeping watch over the nursery.
