As a rule, you need to place the radio transmitter within 10 feet of the crib so that it can pick up even the slightest sounds made by your baby such as breathing and movement. You can then carry the portable receiver around during the day or just leave it plugged in at the side of your bed at nighttime. It is extremely helpful; especially to parents who cannot possibly stay by their baby s side at all times. The most common type used is the audio monitor. This type receives and transmits sounds produced by the baby to a parent unit so moms or dads could hear the activities of the baby and know if there are any problems while they are at a certain distance. Heart Beat Monitor This feature is a must for the device that you will choose since no apnea monitor is 100 percent accurate in detecting cessation of breathing. This will serve as a backup in case the apnea monitor fails to detect apnea because it will also manifest in the heart rate of the baby. Another must have feature is a remote alarm. For that reason, you need to make sure that they are set in different frequency bands; otherwise, you will only be able to hear irritating electronic screeches. Your most excellent option these days would be to purchase baby monitors that carry features for multi-room monitoring. Other Practical Features Baby monitors are actually quite new. Although parting with your hard-earned cash in order to buy a bunch of gadgets can be difficult, having that much-desired peace of mind is still more important than any money in the world. Portability is also an issue when it comes to shopping for the best baby monitor in town. A receiver that is designed to sit on top of your living room table may not efficiently serve its purpose especially if you're bound to move around much or even go out of the house. Mobile baby monitors make it possible for parents to keep tabs on their infants without the necessity of staying awake or standing outside the nursery door all night. A typical baby monitor set consists of two parts: a radio transmitter and a portable receiver. The radio transmitter must be positioned 8 to 10 feet away from your baby's crib.