A two-way baby monitor does double duty by allowing your baby to hear you as well as allowing you to hear your baby. This way, if you hear your baby awaken before you think naptime should be over, you can sing a lullaby, talk, or try other audio methods to soothe your baby back to sleep. You won’t have to worry about the overstimulation that might occur if you were to enter the nursery to do these things in person. You can also talk to your baby while you are on your way to the nursery to soother him or her in person. This way you’re able to respond to your baby faster and assure her that you are coming soon.

Some parents claim that turning their two-way baby monitor on at night helps their baby sleep better, as parents’ night noises are transmitted into the baby’s room from the parents’ room. The noises remind the baby that the parents are close by, leading to a feeling of calm and a quick return to sleep.

If you choose to purchase a two-way baby monitor, be sure that you select a model that gives you the option to turn off the two way feature. Although it’s nice to know that your baby can be calmed by your voice without your presence, you don’t want to risk interrupting the baby’s nap with your louder activities.

Many companies recognize the demand for two-way baby monitors, so finding them in the store and online shouldn’t be a problem. Ask your friends and family members for advice or read reviews of models that you’re interested to help you pick the right two-way baby monitor for you.