What Is the Nanit Baby Monitor?
If you’ve started building a registry, chances are you’ve come across the Nanit baby monitor—and immediately noticed the price tag.
The Nanit is a smart baby monitor system that uses a wall-mounted camera (or stand) to track your baby’s sleep, breathing motion, and nursery environment. The most popular model right now is the Nanit Pro baby monitor, which comes with advanced features like:
- Breathing motion monitoring (with their swaddle or band)
- Sleep analytics and insights
- HD video + night vision
- Background audio
- Temperature and humidity tracking
In short: it’s not just a monitor—it’s a full-on sleep tracking system.
Why I Chose the Nanit Pro Baby Monitor
I’ll be honest—this wasn’t an impulse purchase. The Nanit Pro ended up on our baby registry because I couldn’t justify buying it myself at the time.
But if I had to go back and pay out of pocket? I would do it without hesitation.
I’ve always leaned a little… let’s say vigilant (read: anxious) when it comes to my son. And the Nanit genuinely helped me sleep at night in a way I didn’t expect.
My Experience After 18 Months of Use
We’ve used the Nanit camera every single day since bringing our baby home—and it’s one of the few products that has actually held up to daily use and expectations.
Here’s what stood out:
1. The Breathing Monitoring = Peace of Mind
This is the feature.
With the Nanit breathing band, you can track your baby’s breathing motion in real time—no wearables, no wires.
For me, this was everything during those early months. Instead of constantly walking over to check if my baby was breathing (hi, anxiety), I could just open the app and see confirmation instantly.
It didn’t eliminate worry entirely—but it quieted the noise enough for me to actually rest.
2. The Sleep Insights Are Surprisingly Useful
I didn’t think I’d care about sleep analytics… until I had them.
The Nanit tracks:
- How long your baby sleeps
- How often they wake
- Sleep patterns over time
It helped me spot trends I wouldn’t have noticed otherwise—like when naps started shifting or when night wakings increased.
If you’re someone who likes data (or just wants to feel a little more in control), this is a huge plus.
3. The Wall Mount Is Worth It (for us, at least!)
We went with the Nanit wall mount, and I’m really glad we did.
It gives you a clear, overhead view of the crib—which is not only better for visibility but also required for accurate breathing tracking.
Plus, once it’s set up, you don’t have to worry about knocking it over or adjusting it constantly.
4. Video + Audio Quality Is Reliable
The basics matter—and the Nanit delivers:
- Clear HD video (even at night)
- Minimal lag
- Consistent audio in the background
We use the audio feature overnight, so we can hear movement without staring at the screen all night. There’s even a setting that let’s us hear the audio with our phones locked. It comes in handy when we are keeping the house quiet during naps.
Nanit Baby Monitor FAQs
How accurate is Nanit temperature tracking?
Short answer: it’s helpful, but not perfect.
The Nanit tracks room temperature and humidity, which is great for keeping your nursery in a safe range. That said, I’ve noticed slight differences compared to a standalone thermometer.
I use it more as a guideline than an exact reading—and for that purpose, it works well.
Nanit vs. Owlet: What’s the Difference?
This is probably the most common comparison.
- Nanit: Tracks breathing motion visually (no wearable required beyond a band), focuses on sleep insights and monitoring
- Owlet: Uses a wearable sock to track heart rate and oxygen levels
If you don’t love the idea of your baby wearing a device overnight, the Nanit is a great alternative.
Personally, I preferred the non-wearable approach—it felt simpler and less intrusive.
Is the Nanit Worth It?
I won’t pretend it’s cheap—because it’s not. But for me, the Nanit Pro baby monitor was 100% worth it. If you:
- Struggle with anxiety (especially postpartum)
- Find yourself constantly checking on your baby
- Want better insight into sleep patterns
…it’s one of those products that actually delivers on peace of mind.
There are plenty of baby items you can skip. But if you find yourself constantly checking on your baby in the night, this might give you some sleep back.
My Final Thoughts: Is Nanit Worth It?
After 18 months, the Nanit is still something I use daily—and still something I recommend to every new parent who asks.
It didn’t just help me monitor my baby. It helped me relax enough to actually be a better, more rested parent. That feeling alone made the purchase worth it.
A funny perk: we have a collection of hilarious screenshots from our son’s Nanit. Him snuggling with his teddy bear and falling asleep sideways… great memories I can’t wait to show him. It’s not a must for every parent, but it means a lot for us!
