Where to Place a Baby Monitor: Safe Setup and Cord Distance
Updated
The most important part of setting up a baby monitor is keeping its cord out of your baby's reach. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says to place cords at least three feet away from any part of the crib, bassinet, play yard or other safe sleep environment, and never to put a monitor inside or on the edge of a crib (CPSC and JPMA notice).
Why the cord matters
According to the same notice, seven infants and toddlers were strangled in baby monitor cords between 2002 and the date it was published, and three more nearly were. The children were between 6 and 20 months old. That's why the cord comes before image quality or camera angle.
How to pick a spot
- Three feet from the crib, cord included. CPSC also tells parents to check cords on wall-mounted monitors.
- Never inside or on the edge of the crib. Same notice.
- High up with a clear view of the crib. A shelf or high wall spot lets you see blankets and sleeping position.
- Avoid a bright window behind the crib. Backlight turns your baby's face into a silhouette.
- Check Wi-Fi. A weak signal in the nursery means choppy video, so test it with your phone first.
What's safe today can change as your baby grows. Once they start crawling and standing, recheck. CPSC's "Safer Spaces for Baby" tips also list keeping monitors and cords at least three feet from the crib (CPSC tips).
Setup checklist
- Is the cord at least three feet from the crib?
- Is it secured so it can't dangle toward the crib?
- Is the camera outside the crib?
- Will it still be out of reach when your baby can stand?
- Is the Wi-Fi signal strong enough?
After setup, check security too
Placement is half of it. Passwords, updates and other basics are covered in Can a Baby Monitor Be Hacked? 8 Checks to Do Tonight, and real incidents are in Baby Monitor Hacked? Real Camera Leaks.
No new camera needed
Momseye turns an old phone from your drawer into a baby monitor, so there's no new camera to buy. Video isn't stored on our servers and the stream is encrypted in transit. The free plan includes live Full HD 1080p video, motion and sound alerts, and one camera, with ads. The PRO blackbox recording is saved on the old phone you use as the camera, not in the cloud.
An old phone needs power too, so the same cord rule applies. See Phone to Phone Baby Monitor App for a step-by-step setup.