Lighting and baby monitors

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'Remember monitors are not a substitute for caring for your baby or being responsive when they need attention.'
Gail Johnson, Royal College of Midwives

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Do you need special lighting?

It's a myth that you need special lighting in a baby's nursery, normal lighting is fine.

Gail says: 'As long as you have enough light to see what you're doing when you're looking after your baby, that's fine. Obviously don't have the light shining directly into the baby's face.'

Nightlights are nice, but they're not necessary for babies, they don't get scared of the dark and won't need them to help them sleep. Also, blackout blinds aren't a necessity either as babies can sleep through many things, even daylight.

Baby monitors

Lots of parents buy baby monitors so they can relax knowing that if their baby cries they will hear them. There are lots of varieties on the market:
- Video versions for about £80
- Monitors that detect the baby's breathing for about £80
- Basic sound ones for about £20.

A basic monitor that means you can hear your baby cry is a great idea but make sure the batteries are working and it's somewhere that you can hear the baby.

Costs aside, the best way to choose is to decide how much reassurance you need that your baby is OK and pick the one that will make you feel the most secure.

By Louise O'Connell and Anna Penniceard