Everything You Need to Know About Baby Apnoea Monitors
Table of Contents
What Is A Baby Apnoea Monitor?
This type of monitor is designed to detect the subtle movements associated with breathing and/or vital signs such as oxygen saturation. Some models link to a designated app, while others connect to a portable parent unit for convenient monitoring. Movement monitoring is most important during the initial months before baby becomes more active and two primary types of movement monitors exist:
You May Be Able to Claim From Medical Aid
Make the most of your maternity benefit by claiming for approved devices. With Pandylane, you can even order an approved device straight from our registered practice and have it covered by your medical aid without any extra dispensary fees.
Why Would I Need a Apnoea Monitor?
You're a first time parent
If you are a first-time parent, a baby apnea monitor may offer you significant peace of mind by continuously tracking your baby’s breathing patterns and alerting you to any irregularities, such as pauses in breathing or apnea episodes. These monitors can be especially reassuring during the early months when you may feel particularly anxious about your newborn’s safety. By providing real-time feedback and alarms, an apnea monitor helps you respond quickly to potential issues, allowing you to rest easier knowing your baby is being closely monitored even while they sleep.
You Know Yourself Best
Every family and parent is unique. While some might find that a movement monitor provides peace of mind, others may experience increased anxiety from it. Trust yourself and your instincts —you know what’s best for you
Your Baby Is Preemie
If your baby was born prematurely, they may have delicate health that needs to be closely monitored. Some preemies have episodes where they stop breathing (known as apnea of prematurity) while others may have difficulty regulating their body temperature. A baby monitor offers an extra level of observation to monitor these things.
It’s not uncommon for preemies to need to eat more because of their small size. Additionally, many premature babies hit developmental milestones at different times. Naturally, you as a parent of a preemie may experience heightened anxiety. Having a baby monitor provides added reassurance, allowing you to rest or engage in other activities while still ensuring your baby’s well-being. Your pediatrician may recommend a specific type of monitor for your baby, as they understand their health needs well.
Your are struggling with anxiety whenyou baby sleeps
If your baby was born prematurely, they may have delicate health that needs to be closely monitored. Some preemies have episodes where they stop breathing (known as apnea of prematurity) while others may have difficulty regulating their body temperature. A baby monitor offers an extra level of observation to monitor these things.
It’s not uncommon for preemies to need to eat more because of their small size. Additionally, many premature babies hit developmental milestones at different times. Naturally, you as a parent of a preemie may experience heightened anxiety. Having a baby monitor provides added reassurance, allowing you to rest or engage in other activities while still ensuring your baby’s well-being. Your pediatrician may recommend a specific type of monitor for your baby, as they understand their health needs well.
You're want in depth sleep insights
Sleep is one of the most important things for a baby’s development. Some monitors go beyond just tracking whether a baby is breathing; they also measure sleep patterns and even offer recommendations. If you’re a parent looking to optimize your little one’s rest, an apnea monitor could be a valuable tool for you.
When to Skip the Apnea Monitor
You Are Co-sleeping or Sleep In The Same Room
Naturally, if you’re co-sleeping (essentially this is just sharing a bed or sleeping surface with your little one) or room-sharing (meaning baby sleeps in the same room but on a separate surface like a bassinet or crib), you’re closer to your baby. This close proximity allows you to easily hear or sense if your little one is restless, crying, or needs attention. Being in the same room means you can respond almost instantly without the need for electronic aids.
There is the potential for interference when co-sleeping with apneoa monitors as adult movements may affect accurate baby breathing detection, resulting in false alarms or missed alerts.
You’ve had twins or triplets and they share a bed.
Baby apnoea monitors, might struggle to distinguish between the activities of multiple babies in one space, potentially leading to increased false alarms or missed alerts.
Multiples co-bedding also tend to remain close, meaning one baby’s needs or discomfort can trigger reactions in the others. Cue the tears. If you still want to keep an eye on you little ones, visual checks or cameras without movement alerts might be a better choice to prevent confusion or unnecessary alarms.
You're Worried About False Alarms
You know yourself best, alarms may make parents more anxious than necessary which is not the point of the monitor. The goal is to ease your anxiety – not increase it. It’s hard enough as is.
How Do Baby Apnoea Monitors Work
This type of monitor is designed to detect the subtle movements associated with breathing and/or vital signs such as oxygen saturation. Some Monitors qualify for medical aid approval as they can help you pick up if something happens with a baby’s breathing and allow you to intervene early.
Some models link to a designated app, while others connect to a portable parent unit for convenient monitoring. Movement monitoring is most important during the initial months before baby becomes more active. There are two ways in which baby monitors work:
Movement Monitors
This type of monitor is designed to detect your baby’s movements, encompassing both physical motions and the subtle movements associated with breathing or vital signs. There are primary types of movement monitors exist:
Sensor Pad
Sensor pad monitors are positioned beneath baby’s mattress and monitor baby's movements and breathing patterns through the mattress.
Wearable
These monitors make direct contact with your baby to detect babies abdominal movement as they breathe.
Camera
Track your baby's breaths per minute with precision using an advanced camera and a specially designed baby grow or band that detects abdominal movements.
Oxygen Saturation
These monitors use pulse oximetry to gather your baby’s heart rate technology and oxygen levels and other vital signs. These monitors all have direct contact with babies skin.
Do Baby Apnoea Monitors Actually Help Reduce the Risk of SIDS?
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the unexpected and unexplained death of an otherwise healthy baby, typically under one year of age. It most commonly occurs during sleep, which is why it’s also referred to as crib death, as these tragedies often happen while the infant is in their crib.
Research suggests that baby apnoea monitors do not reduce the risk of or prevent directly impact Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), however, they do enhance the potential for early intervention.
Ultimately, choosing to use a baby apnea monitor is a personal decision. Some new parents find that it gives them peace of mind, while others feel it increases their anxiety. Additionally, there’s a concern that relying on these monitors might create a false sense of security, leading families to overlook other important safe sleep practices.
The most effective way to reduce the risk of SIDS is by following safe sleep guidelines, whether your baby is sleeping in a crib or co-sleeping.
Remember, monitors are designed to alert you to potential issues, but they are not a replacement for life-saving actions like CPR. We strongly recommend that all parents take a CPR course as a precaution.
A Monitor Will Not Save Your Baby's Life, Knowing What to Do If Your Baby Stops Breathing Will.
There’s no point in getting a baby movement monitor if you don’t know what to do when it alerts you. We strongly recommend that, before your baby is born, you and any primary caregivers take an infant CPR course so you’re prepared in case of emergency.
What to Consider
Wearable vs Sensor Pad Vs Camera
Wearable Movement & Oxygen Saturation Monitors
These Monitors directly attach to baby, often with a clip, socks, or bands. This is their main benefit as direct contact with your little one offers accurate movement and breathing data. They’re portable for travel or naps away from the crib. However, contact could irritate baby, and if they wriggle a lot it could be dislodged causing false alarms. These types of montor typically can be used for longer periods of time as yoru baby grows.
These are best for parents who:
- Are frequently on the move or traveling and need a portable solution.
- Occasionally have baby nap outside of their regular crib and still want to monitor them.
- Have a premie and would like to accurately monitor vital signs.
Sensor Pad Movement Monitors
Sensor Pads are placed beneath baby’s mattress to detect their movements. Their primary advantage is their non-intrusiveness as there’s no direct contact with baby, so no risk of skin irritation. Their performance of the sensor pad may be affected by the mattress type or thickness, causing occasional sensitivity issues. Most parents stop using the Sensor Pad around 8-12 months as baby starts to more more in their sleep resulting in false alarms. You should also keep in mind that they’re not as portable as wearable options so they’re best for baby’s main sleep space.
These are best for parents who:
- Primarily have their baby sleep in one main area and don’t require portability as much.
- Have a baby with sensitive skin
- Desire advanced sleep insights as baby grows
Camera Movement Monitors
These devices work by pairing a camera with a specially designed band or swaddle that helps the camera detect breathing movements. Currently, only one brand, the Nanit, utilizes this technology. It’s a great option for babies with sensitive skin since nothing touches the baby other than regular cotton fabric. What’s even better is that you can continue using the camera for regular baby monitoring as your child outgrows the need for breathing monitoring.
These are best for parents who:
- Primarily have their baby sleep in one main area and don’t require portability as much.
- Have a baby with sensitive skin
- Desire advanced sleep insights as baby grows
App vs Parent Unit
Parent units are dedicated devices that receive and display information from the monitor. Their strengths lie in their singular purpose as they are free from other distractions, their battery life often outlasts that of a regular smartphone, and they provide a consistent connection, less prone to issues like Wi-Fi outages. However, they lack versatility, and if they get misplaced, parents might find themselves without a monitoring solution until it’s replaced or found.
If you’re an “old school” parent or would prefer to have your monitoring device be separate from your mobile phone, a parent unit is probably the system for you.
On the other hand, mobile apps bring the power of modern tech to baby monitoring. These apps can transform a parent’s smartphone or tablet into a monitoring interface, offering features like notifications, history tracking, or even integrating with other smart devices in the home. The ability to check on your baby from virtually anywhere, given an internet connection, is a significant plus. However, there are potential downsides. Relying on Wi-Fi means occasional connectivity issues, and constantly running such apps can drain a device’s battery quickly. Plus, incoming calls or other notifications might disrupt the monitoring.
If you prefer to have everything in one place, want more than one person to have access to the monitor footage, or are prone to losing things to the void: a mobile app may be the system for you.
Add-on Audio & Video Components
Some apnoea monitors come with optional/built in video and audio components. These are worth considering because they extend the monitor’s usefulness and offer greater flexibility. Choose a monitor where the movement detection can be separated from the video and audio functions. That way, when your baby outgrows movement monitoring, you’ll still have a reliable camera to keep an eye on their toddler shenanigans.
DON'T BE AFRAID TO MIX AND MATCH
Not all monitors have the option to add audio and/or video, but don’t let that discourage you. These monitors are still great, affordable options, and you might not need video or audio features immediately. If you decide to add video monitoring later, you can always purchase a separate video monitor. This way, you get the best of both worlds—a reliable breathing monitor that suits your needs and a quality video monitor.
Ability to add on Additional Monitors for Twins & Triplets
If you’re expecting more than one baby, you’ll need more than one monitor. Ideally, these should work together seamlessly. Some monitors allow you to connect multiple devices, making it easier to monitor all your little ones at once.
Surprise — you’ve got double (or triple) trouble coming your way, and we’re so...
Sleep Insights & Additional Features
Some monitors provide more detailed information than others. While some only track your baby’s skin temperature and heart rate, others go further by measuring sleep patterns and offering sleep recommendations for your baby.
Here are a few features to look out for:
- Two Way Talkback – Some models feature two-way talkback, similar to walkie-talkies. You’ll be able to hear whatever’s happening in baby’s room, so you’ll know straight away if there’s any crying or fussing, and you can even talk to baby and soothe them from around the house.
- Room Temperature & Humidity – Some Monitors come with features that gauge the room’s temperature and humidity which can be an essential tool in establishing and maintaining baby’s perfect sleep conditions.
- Skin Temperature – Some wearable baby monitors have sensors that can detect the baby’s skin temperature. Monitoring the baby’s temperature can be essential, especially if there are concerns about overheating or if the baby is sick.
- Heart Rate Monitoring – Some wearable monitors can track the baby’s heart rate and will let you know if there is any irregularities.
- Sleep Pattern Tracking & Insights– Some monitors have the capability to track and analyze how long baby sleeps, when they wake up, and how restless their sleep may be. In tracking these things, you get a clearer picture of your baby’s sleep cycles which helps you to create more effective sleep routines for them. Knowing that there’s a predictable pattern, or even just understanding what’s “normal” for your baby, can also reduce anxiety.
- Position Tracking – Some monitors can detect the position your baby is sleeping in and alert you if your baby rolls or moves in their sleep.
- Vibration Alert – if the baby stops breathing in their sleep, some monitors will viobrate gently to try and rouse the baby.
- Audible Tic – The “tic” sound is an audible indication that the monitor is detecting movement, typically the baby’s breathing. If no movement is detected for a set period, the tic will stop, often followed by an alarm to alert caregivers.
- Adjustable Sensitivity: This feature allows caregivers to change the monitor’s sensitivity levels. Increased sensitivity would detect even slight movements, while decreased sensitivity might only alert for more significant or pronounced movements. Adjustable sensitivity can be particularly useful to reduce false alarms or adapt to different situations (e.g., when a baby is sick or moving more than usual).
Bestselling Movement Monitors
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We’re dedicated to providing you with practical, evidence-based information to help you make the best choices for your growing family. All content is medically reviewed by our in-house doctor and/or experts such as OB-GYNs, doulas, and midwives, and is based on the latest international guidelines, peer-reviewed studies, and reputable sources from academic institutions and medical journals. Learn More
