Baby Monitors: Impact of Frequencies, Health Risks and Mitigation Strategies

Baby monitors are widely used devices in families with newborns and infants, as they allow constant audio and video supervision. Most current models use wireless technologies based on Wi-Fi, DECT systems or other radiofrequencies belonging to non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF).

The increase in domestic exposure to these signals has generated growing interest in potential biological effects, especially in very young children, who may be more vulnerable due to their anatomical and neurophysiological characteristics. In this context, ensuring high safety standards is essential. In the first months of life, the body is undergoing full development and may be more sensitive to environmental factors, including emissions from electronic devices. It is therefore crucial that the technologies used comply with strict criteria of quality, reliability and controlled exposure, thus safeguarding children’s health and providing parents with truly safe tools, enabling responsible and conscious use within the home environment.

In early childhood, the skull is thinner and has a higher water content, the blood–brain barrier is not yet fully mature, and the body surface-to-mass ratio alters the distribution of absorbed energy. As a result, the specific absorption rate (SAR) may be higher in newborns than in adults.

This increased vulnerability, along with the fact that baby monitors are often placed near the sleeping area, has prompted researchers to investigate the potential effects of prolonged exposure to RF-EMF. Interactions between electromagnetic waves and infant tissues include thermal and non-thermal effects.

Thermal effects result from energy absorption and are generally limited due to the low power of baby monitors, but may increase if the device is placed very close to the child’s head. Non-thermal effects—currently under study—concern possible changes in brain electrical activity, cell permeability and neuroendocrine regulation. Some studies in adults have shown EEG alterations during non-REM sleep and modifications of circadian rhythms after exposure to frequencies similar to those used by baby monitors. Although pediatric evidence is still limited, the higher neuronal plasticity in early life makes it necessary to consider these findings with caution. Sleep is a particularly sensitive period for neurodevelopment.

Continuous and close exposure to RF-EMF sources could, in some children, contribute to increased sleep fragmentation or altered neuroelectrical patterns, with potential repercussions on cognitive and regulatory maturation. Indirect effects on immune homeostasis through oxidative stress mechanisms are also hypothesized, an area where evidence is preliminary but requires further investigation.
Because the home environment contains multiple sources of electromagnetic waves—such as Wi-Fi routers and cordless phones—overall exposure must be evaluated globally. Transmission power, distance from the newborn, operating mode (continuous or sound-activated) and wave reflection from surfaces all influence the final exposure dose.

Proper organization of the home environment—limiting unnecessary sources and optimizing device placement—helps reduce electromagnetic load.

Physical Mechanisms: Frequencies, Dosimetry and Absorption

Wireless baby monitors typically transmit at radiofrequency (RF) ranges, often around 2.4 GHz, similar to home Wi-Fi. RF-EMF exposure is measured using dosimetric quantities such as SAR (Specific Absorption Rate), which quantifies how much energy is absorbed by biological tissues. ICNIRP provides exposure limits based on experimental evidence and periodically updated to protect the general population.

Key factors determining exposure level include:

• the monitor’s transmission power
• distance between source and newborn
• duration of exposure
• physical properties (density, morphology) of the tissues absorbing the energy.

The growing use of baby monitors has prompted questions about possible long-term effects of electromagnetic exposure in newborns and infants. Although no significant clinical risks have been documented, scientific literature suggests considering precautionary measures, particularly in early life when the nervous system and tissues are especially sensitive.

The possible long-term risks associated with the use of baby monitors include:

• Electromagnetic overload: some research indicates that continuous exposure, even at low levels, may produce non-thermal biological effects, such as alterations in cellular regulation, proliferation, or increased oxidative stress.
• Precautions for children: according to Swiss authorities, although monitor emissions remain well below regulatory limits, it is advisable to reduce exposure by maintaining an adequate distance between the monitor and the crib, and by preferring reduced-transmission modes, such as audio activation only when necessary.

There are still no conclusive studies demonstrating a causal relationship between exposure to RF fields from baby monitors and long-term harm in newborns; however, the literature highlights the importance of further research, taking into account the particular vulnerability of infants and the implications for their health, such as:

1. Greater biological susceptibility: newborns have anatomical and physiological characteristics that increase the likelihood of relatively higher absorption of electromagnetic fields compared with adults. The cranial bone is thinner, tissue water content is higher, and the blood–brain barrier has not yet reached full functional maturity. Added to this is a higher basal metabolic rate, which may increase cellular reactivity to environmental stimuli, including radiofrequencies.
2. Effects on sleep and neurophysiological regulation: sleep in the first months of life is a critical phase for brain maturation, synaptic organization, and neuroendocrine regulation. Although the direct impact of radiofrequencies on neonatal sleep has not yet been definitively demonstrated, some evidence suggests that continuous exposure near the sleeping area may alter sleep architecture or continuity. Moreover, a reduction in parental sleep quality—linked to excessive use of monitoring devices—may indirectly affect nighttime infant care and the family’s state of alertness.
3. Possible behavioral or neurofunctional effects: although conclusive evidence of neurotoxicity is lacking, some pathophysiological hypotheses describe potential changes in brain electrical activity, melatonin regulation, or circadian rhythm following prolonged exposure to radiofrequencies. The greater synaptic plasticity typical of early development suggests that the neonatal brain may be more sensitive to persistent environmental interference, especially when the device is placed very close to the child’s head. These elements, although still under study, support prudent use during the first months of life.

Mitigation strategies: how to act

To reduce exposure and minimize potential risks, several simple measures can be adopted:

• Distance: place the transmitting unit of the baby monitor as far away from the crib as possible—ideally at least one metre—to significantly reduce the intensity of the electromagnetic field received.
• Activation mode: choose models that transmit only in response to sound or movement, avoiding continuous-emission systems.
• Low-emission devices: consider low-power monitors, wired versions, or devices with intermittent transmission.
• Reducing exposure time: switch off or deactivate the monitor when not needed (e.g., during the day when the baby is under direct supervision), thereby limiting total exposure time.
• Compliance with regulations: ensure that the device meets international standards, such as ICNIRP guidelines regarding exposure to electromagnetic fields.
• Environmental assessment: if there are specific concerns, using an EMF meter may help verify the levels present in the newborn’s room.

Baby monitors are valuable tools for neonatal supervision, but radiofrequency emissions deserve attention, especially in light of recent evidence on potential effects on sleep. Although data on long-term effects in newborns remain limited, adopting the precautionary principle is reasonable: reduce exposure, increase distance, choose less intrusive transmission modes, and maintain mindful use. Further research is needed to evaluate dose-response effects in infants, but the mitigation strategies described above can be implemented almost immediately to reduce potential impact.