7 Best Baby Breathing Monitors Available In The Market

I m a g e : Shutterstock

B a b y monitors h a v e come a long w a y ! Most p a r e n t s use t h e m to k e e p a t r a c k of h o w the b a b y is s l e e p i n g , when h e needs a feed, o r if h e wakes u p suddenly i n the n i g h t . The m o n i t o r s are l i k e eyes a t the b a c k of y o u r head a s they h e l p you k e e p a w a t c h on y o u r baby. P u r c h a s i n g a b r e a t h i n g m o n i t o r for b a b y is a wise d e c i s i o n , especially i f that a l s o checks t h e baby’s b r e a t h i n g pattern. M o m J u n c t i o n provides i n f o r m a t i o n on t h e uses a n d the b e s t breathing m o n i t o r s available i n the m a r k e t , to h e l p you p i c k the o n e that s u i t s your n e e d s .

P u r p o s e Of B a b y Breathing M o n i t o r s

N e w b o r n s breathe p e r i o d i c a l l y , and t h e pace i s not c o n s t a n t (1). I t could b e too f a s t or t o o slow. Y o u r baby c o u l d pause f o r a f e w seconds a n d then b r e a t h e again. T h e s e uneven b r e a t h i n g patterns c a n stress y o u out, a n d the b e s t way t o reduce s t r e s s is t o use a baby b r e a t h i n g monitor.

M o s t breathing m o n i t o r s are d e s i g n e d to o b s e r v e baby m o v e m e n t s or b r e a t h patterns, a n d sound a l a r m in c a s e there i s a d e v i a t i o n from p r e – s e t patterns. F o r instance, a monitor m a y sound a n alarm t o alert y o u if i t finds t h a t the b a b y is n o t breathing f o r 20 c o n t i n u o u s seconds.

W h e n To U s e ?

T y p e s of B r e a t h i n g Monitors

T h e r e are a variety o f breathing m o n i t o r s available i n the m a r k e t today a n d to u n d e r s t a n d them b e t t e r and b u y the m o s t suitable o n e , have a look a t what t h e y are l i k e .

M o v e m e n t monitors: Unlike a u d i o or v i d e o monitors, m o v e m e n t monitors c a n provide a n extra l e v e l of s a f e t y . They a r e designed t o alert y o u if t h e baby m o v e m e n t s are a b s e n t or i r r e g u l a r for a preset t i m e frame. T h e s e monitors a r e sensitive a n d can d e t e c t even t h e slightest o f movements. B a s e d on t h e location o f the s e n s o r , they a r e of t w o types.

M a t Monitor: They a r e also c a l l e d ‘under t h e mattress’ m o n i t o r s . A b a b y ’ s movement c a n be r e c o r d e d by t h i s baby b r e a t h i n g mat p l a c e d underneath t h e baby’s b e d d i n g , in t h e cot. T h e device s o u n d s the a l a r m if i t detects a pause i n the b a b y ’ s movements f o r 15 t o 20 s e c o n d s . Such m o n i t o r s can o n l y be u s e d on f l a t surfaces a n d are u s u a l l y not b e n e f i c i a l while t r a v e l i n g .

M o v e m e n t Monitor: T h e s e monitors a r e attached w i t h a t a p e to t h e baby’s t u m m y or d i a p e r s , or c l o t h i n g . If t h e r e is a pause i n the b a b y ’ s tummy m o v e m e n t s for m o r e than 2 0 seconds, t h e alarm s o u n d s . These m o n i t o r s are m o r e portable a n d useful w h i l e travelling.

H o w e v e r , a f e w disadvantages o f movement m o n i t o r are:

I t cannot b e easily f i t t e d after t h e infant f a l l s asleep. E v e n if i t is a t t a c h e d before t h e little o n e falls a s l e e p , it c o u l d get d i s p l a c e d due t o bedtime p r e p a r a t i o n s and t r i g g e r a f a l s e alarm.

I t is n o t suitable o n c e the b a b y begins t o roll o v e r or c r a w l . If t h e infant r o l l s onto i t s stomach, i t is d i f f i c u l t to h e a r the a l a r m .

H e a r t and b r e a t h monitors:T h e s e monitors r e g i s t e r chest m o v e m e n t and t h e heart’s e l e c t r i c a l activity t h r o u g h two e l e c t r o d e dots a t t a c h e d to b a b y ’ s chest. T h e heart a l a r m is s e t at a heart r a t e of 6 0 beats p e r minute f o r older b a b i e s and 8 0 beats p e r minute f o r a y o u n g one.

T h e alarm f o r the p r o l o n g e d pause i n breathing o r apnea i s set t o sound i f there i s a d e l a y of m o r e than 2 0 seconds b e t w e e n two b r e a t h s . These m o n i t o r s are p o r t a b l e and c o m e with a rechargeable b a t t e r y . They c o u l d also c o m p r i s e an e v e n t linked c o m p u t e r chip, w h i c h records t h e alarm.

O x y g e n measurement m o n i t o r s or o x i m e t e r s :O x y g e n measurement m o n i t o r s are m o s t l y used i n hospitals a n d rarely a t home. T h e alarm i s set i n such a way t h a t it s o u n d s if t h e oxygen p e r c e n t a g e of t h e skin f a l l s below a limit, m o s t l y around 9 2 % (2).

9 Tips To S e l e c t Best Monitors

B u y i n g a b a b y breathing m o n i t o r is a complicated t a s k . There a r e several f a c t o r s worth c o n s i d e r i n g before b u y i n g a b r e a t h i n g monitor f o r your b a b y .

T h e best m o n i t o r should a l e r t you w h e n the b a b y is i n danger.
I t should w a t c h for t h e two v i t a l signs o f your b a b y such a s heart r a t e and b r e a t h i n g .
I t should n o t wake y o u up w i t h false a l a r m s .
I t should h e l p you l i s t e n to y o u r baby’s c r i e s and t o anything h a p p e n i n g in y o u r baby’s r o o m .
A few v i d e o monitors a l l o w you t o both v i e w and h e a r .
T h e best b a b y monitors a r e ones t h a t are r e l i a b l e , easy t o use, a n d portable.
A few m o n i t o r s sold c o m m e r c i a l l y in b a b y stores m a y not b e compliant w i t h approved s t a n d a r d s .
C h e c k the e x t e n s i v e features o f the b r e a t h i n g monitor i n c l u d i n g audibility, a r e a coverage, a n d , battery l o n g e v i t y .
T h e baby m o n i t o r b r e a t h i n g sensor s h o u l d be h i g h l y sensitive a n d should b e able t o keep a n accurate t r a c k of y o u r baby’s b r e a t h i n g patterns.

B e s t Baby Breathing M o n i t o r s In M a r k e t

1 . Snuza H e r o SE B a b y Movement M o n i t o r

W h e r e To B u y : Snuza H e r o Baby M o v e m e n t Monitor i s available, a n d you c a n buy i t here.

Features:

T h e portable m o n i t o r can b e clipped o v e r the w a i s t b a n d of t h e baby’s d i a p e r .
I t is t r a v e l friendly a n d will monitor b a b y breathing w h i l e sleeping.
I t is a n ‘out-and-about’ m o n i t o r , which i s not r e s t r i c t e d by c o n d i t i o n s imposed b y other m o n i t o r i n g devices.
I t s unique s t i m u l a t i o n feature v i b r a t e s if t h e device s e n s e s no b a b y movement f o r 15 s e c o n d s .
I f the b a b y does n o t move w i t h i n 5 s e c o n d s of v i b r a t i o n , an a u d i b l e alarm g e t s activated.
S n u z a Hero B a b y Movement M o n i t o r comprises n o wires o r cords, w h i c h can o t h e r w i s e potentially h a r m the b a b y .
H y p o – a l l e r g e n i c and m e d i c a l grade p l a s t i c s are u s e d to m a n u f a c t u r e the d e v i c e .
N o radio f r e q u e n c y signals a r e sent o r received.

T h e extended v e r s i o n of t h e Snuza B a b y Monitor, H e r o , is t h e Snuza T r i o Plus B a b y Monitor S y s t e m – M o v e m e n t Tracking, R o o m Temperature D i s p l a y , 2-Way A u d i o , and L i v e Video F e e d – I n c l u d e s Snuza V i d e o and S n u z a Hero U n i t s

W h e r e To B u y : Snuza T r i o Plus B a b y Monitor S y s t e m is a v a i l a b l e at $ 2 7 9 . 0 0 , and y o u can b u y it h e r e .

Features:

T h e product i s three-in-one b a b y monitoring s y s t e m built o n Snuza H e r o baby b r e a t h i n g movement d e t e c t i o n monitor ( f e a t u r e d above). I t also i n c l u d e s the S n u z a Video.
I t is p o p u l a r for i t s accurate m o v e m e n t and b r e a t h i n g detection c a p a b i l i t i e s .
T h e Snuza V i d e o can b e used a l o n g with t h e monitor o r alone.
T h e Snuza H e r o can d e t e c t t h e slightest b r e a t h i n g motions, w h i l e the S n u z a Video i s an a d v a n c e d camera f e a t u r i n g useful s a f e t y utilities.
I t displays c r y s t a l – c l e a r full-color v i d e o and h a s auto-on i n f r a r e d night v i s i o n .
2 – w a y audio e n a b l e s you t o talk b a c k to y o u r baby.
A d d i t i o n a l features a r e voice-activation f u n c t i o n , room t e m p e r a t u r e alert, a n d a d i g i t a l zoom f u n c t i o n .
A l l the i n f o r m a t i o n transmits t o the p a r e n t monitor u n i t .
P a r e n t s receive a n alert i f the t e m p e r a t u r e crosses t h e baby’s c o m f o r t zone.
T h e parent m o n i t o r unit f e a t u r e s 3.5-inch C o l o r Display, b u i l t – i n microphone f o r talk-back, b u i l t – i n speakerphone, c a m e r a pan/tilt c o n t r o l s , built-in m i c r o p h o n e , volume c o n t r o l s w/level i n d i c a t o r , out-of-range
w a r n i n g , camera z o o m controls, a n d baby f e e d timer.
T h e digital w i r e l e s s technology e n s u r e s zero i n t e r f e r e n c e .
T h e product i s expandable u p to f o u r cameras, o f f e r i n g all-around m o n i t o r i n g .

2 . Babysense H i s e n s e 5S B a b y Safe I n f a n t Movement M o n i t o r by B a b y s e n s e

W h e r e To B u y : Babysense H i s e n s e 5S B a b y Safe I n f a n t Movement M o n i t o r New i s available s h i p p i n g , and y o u can b u y it h e r e .

Features:

B a b y s e n s e Hisense 5 S Baby S a f e Infant M o v e m e n t Monitor i s devised t o detect t h e cessation o f movements i n infants.
T h e non-touch d e v i c e monitors a n d detects e v e n the s l i g h t e s t movements o f the b a b y during s l e e p , through t h e mattress.
T h e control u n i t is c o n n e c t e d to s e n s o r pads p l a c e d between i n f a n t ’ s crib o r bed b a s e and m a t t r e s s .
T h i s breathing m o n i t o r for i n f a n t s s o u n d s alarm i f your l i t t l e one’s m i c r o – m o v e m e n t s halt o r become i r r e g u l a r l y slow.
T h e passive s e n s o r system h a s no c o n t a c t with t h e baby a n d is s a f e .
I f the d e v i c e detects n o movement f o r over 2 0 seconds o r the m o v e m e n t rate i s below 1 0 micro-movements p e r minute, i t sounds a n alarm.

3 . Angelcare V i d e o , Movement a n d Sound M o n i t o r , Gray/White

W h e r e To B u y : Angelcare V i d e o , Movement a n d Sound M o n i t o r , Gray/White i s available, a n d you c a n buy i t here.

Features:

O n e device o f f e r s all m o v e m e n t , sound, a n d video m o n i t o r i n g for y o u r little a n g e l .
U n d e r – t h e – M a t t r e s s Movement S e n s o r Pad s e n s e s and s o u n d s alarm i f no m o v e m e n t is d e t e c t e d for 2 0 seconds.
C o l o r Video T r a n s m i s s i o n feature o f f e r s live b a b y video m o n i t o r feed f r o m the N u r s e r y Unit t o the P a r e n t Unit.
I n f r a r e d Camera o f f e r s day a n d night v i s i o n . It c a n even s t r e a m video i n the d a r k .
L C D Touch s c r e e n enables t h e setting c h a n g e s .
T h e device f e a t u r e s 2-Way T a l k – B a c k and a motion s e n s o r pad.
T h e 2.4 G H Z digital t r a n s m i s s i o n reduces i n t e r f e r e n c e to o f f e r maximum p r i v a c y .
I t also f e a t u r e s temperature d i s p l a y , battery b a c k u p during a power f a i l u r e , and a night l i g h t .

*Note: The S e n s o r Pad i s compatible w i t h a r e g u l a t o r y standard b a b y mattress, i r r e s p e c t i v e of i t s thickness o r size. I t cannot b e used w i t h memory f o a m mattresses, d u a l sided, m a t t r e s s e s containing h o l l o w frame, o r Purflo m a t t r e s s e s .

4 . Baby M o n i t o r for B r e a t h i n g and M o v e m e n t (White)

W h e r e To B u y : Baby M o n i t o r for B r e a t h i n g and M o v e m e n t (White) i s available f o r $169.00, a n d you c a n buy i t here.

Features:

T h e Baby M o n i t o r for B r e a t h i n g and M o v e m e n t is F C C approved, u s e s low e n e r g y , and i s CPSC c o m p l i a n t .
I t alerts a b o u t the l i t t l e one’s s t o m a c h sleeping, b l o c k a g e of b r e a t h i n g movements, f a l l s , and u n u s u a l activity.
T h e device i s compatible w i t h iPhone 5 and A n d r o i d devices w i t h 4.4 s o f t w a r e and B l u e t o o t h 4.0.
I t can b e extended t h r o u g h the f r e e MonBridge a p p available o n compatible A n d r o i d devices.
P r o – a c t i v e l y monitors t h e baby w i t h MonBaby B r e a t h i n g and R o l l o v e r Baby M o n i t o r in a Smart B u t t o n !
T h e Universal d e s i g n is c o m p a t i b l e with a n y clothing.
M o n B a b y ’ s technology s e n d s live u p d a t e s on t h e baby’s a c t i v i t y and b r e a t h i n g to y o u r smartphone, 5 times e v e r y second.
T h e Smart B u t t o n snaps e a s i l y on t h e baby’s c l o t h i n g .
Y o u can u s e the d e v i c e without t h e need o f additional s i z e s to b u y , as y o u r child k e e p s growing.
W h e n placed i n the s a m e room w i t h a s m a r t p h o n e , the M o n B a b y works o p t i m a l l y .
I t leverages B l u e t o o t h Low E n e r g y technology, b u i l t for t h e Internet o f Things, t o produce l e s s e r radio f r e q u e n c y power t h a n standard v i d e o / a u d i o baby m o n i t o r s and s m a r t p h o n e s .
T h e Smart B u t t o n produces n o sounds a n d does n o t disturb t h e baby. I t keeps m o n i t o r i n g the b a b y actively.

5 . Wi-Fi S m a r t Baby M o n i t o r IPC100 – with D i g i t a l Monitoring o f Breathing a n d Heart R a t e by D o r m e ’ Baby

W h e r e To B u y : Wi-Fi S m a r t Baby M o n i t o r IPC100 – with D i g i t a l Monitoring o f Breathing a n d Heart R a t e is a v a i l a b l e and y o u can b u y it h e r e .

Features:

W i – F i Smart B a b y Monitor I P C 1 0 0 is i O S & A n d r o i d Compatible a n d comes w i t h added f e a t u r e s .
I t helps m o n i t o r the b a b y anytime, a n y w h e r e .
I t is e a s y to s e t up a n d secure t o use.
T h e MoveOxy f e a t u r e allows t h e continuous s u r v e i l l a n c e of y o u r baby’s h e a r t and b r e a t h i n g rates.
I t is d e s i g n e d to p r o v i d e audible a l e r t s when t h e baby’s o x y g e n or h e a r t rate l e v e l exceeds p r e – s e t safety l i m i t s .
T h e MoveOxy p r o b e can b e attached t o the i n f a n t ’ s foot w i t h o u t giving h i m any d i s c o m f o r t .

6 . Mimo S m a r t Baby B r e a t h i n g & A c t i v i t y Monitor, 3 – 6 months

W h e r e To B u y : Mimo S m a r t Baby B r e a t h i n g & A c t i v i t y Monitor, 3 – 6 months i s available f o r $185.33 a n d you c a n buy i t here.

Features:

M i m o Smart B a b y Breathing & a m p ; Activity M o n i t o r can i d e n t i f y the s l i g h t e s t of y o u r baby’s c h e s t movements, h e l p i n g you t o know t h e breath p a t t e r n .
I t alerts y o u about t h e temperature, b o d y position, c u s t o m i z a b l e breathing, a n d wake/sleep a l e r t s , all o n your p h o n e .
T h e technology i n your p o c k e t allows y o u to t r a c k your b a b y ’ s activity a n d sleep h i s t o r y at a n y moment.
T h e Mimo a p p is a v a i l a b l e on i O S and A n d r o i d .
Y o u can h e a r your l i t t l e one’s c o o s and c r i e s from y o u r smart d e v i c e .
E v e n if y o u are n o t actively w a t c h i n g the a p p , it w i l l notify y o u of c h a n g e s in y o u r baby’s a c t i v i t y such a s wake-ups, i r r e g u l a r breathing, r o l l – o v e r s , etc. C u s t o m alerts a r e sent t o your m o b i l e .
M a c h i n e – w a s h a b l e Mimo k i m o n o s are a v a i l a b l e in 0 – 3 month, 3 – 6 month, a n d 6-12 m o n t h sizing.
T h e y are 1 0 0 % soft c o t t o n , and y o u can t h r o w them i n the d r y e r on l o w heat.
I t can b e worn u n d e r additional s l e e p w e a r or o n top o f up t o three c o t t o n layers.

7 . Levana O m a Powered b y Snuza P o r t a b l e Baby M o v e m e n t Monitor w i t h Audible A l a r m (32040)

W h e r e To B u y : Levana O m a Powered b y Snuza P o r t a b l e Baby M o v e m e n t Monitor w i t h Audible A l a r m (32040) i s available f o r $189.96 a n d you c a n buy i t here.

Features:

T h e battery-powered m o v e m e n t monitor c l i p s onto b a b y ’ s diaper t o sense t h e slightest m o v e m e n t s of t h e belly. I t has a soft, f l e x i b l e sensor t h a t is s n u g g l e d against t h e baby’s a b d o m e n .
T h e portable p r o d u c t is d e s i g n e d to a l e r t you i f it d e t e c t s complete s t i l l n e s s .
I f it d e t e c t s more t h a n 15 s e c o n d s of c o m p l e t e stillness, i t sounds b r e a t h i n g alarm.
T h e device c a n also d e t e c t irregular a n d weak m o v e m e n t s .
I f less t h a n eight a b d o m i n a l movements a r e detected, t h e movement i n d i c a t o r light w i l l flash o r a n g e and s o u n d a w a r n i n g tone.
T h i s feature b y default i s enabled b u t it c a n easily b e disabled.
B e i n g wireless a n d cordless m a k e s Oma s a f e for u s e in b a s s i n e t s , Moses b a s k e t s , a n d playpens.

D r a w b a c k s Of B a b y Monitors

T h e safety a n d efficacy o f baby m o v e m e n t detecting m o n i t o r s are s u r r o u n d e d by c o n t r o v e r s y . Here a few r e a s o n s why t h e monitors m a y not b e helpful:

1 . Cannot p r e v e n t SIDS:

A few m a n u f a c t u r e r s claim t o have d e s i g n e d monitors t o address p a r e n t a l anxieties a b o u t cot d e a t h . But, t h e USFDA h a s never a p p r o v e d any d e v i c e or p r o d u c t that c a n prevent S I D S (3).

B o t h the N a t i o n a l Institute o f Health (NIH), a n d the A m e r i c a n Academy o f Pediatrics ( A A P ) , recommend a g a i n s t the u s e of m o n i t o r s for S I D S prevention. A lot o f credible s c i e n t i f i c research i n d i c a t e s that m a k i n g the b a b y sleep o n the b a c k , in a crib, w i t h o u t being s t u f f e d with t o y s and b l a n k e t s is t h e best d e f e n s e against S I D S . Experts r e c o m m e n d room-sharing o f parents w i t h the b a b y at l e a s t up t o 12 m o n t h s as a good p r a c t i c e to r e d u c e Sudden U n e x p e c t e d Infant D e a t h (SUID) r a t h e r than r e l y i n g on m o n i t o r s .

2 . False a l a r m s :

F a l s e alarms d u e to r e a s o n s such a s technical p r o b l e m s , shallow b a b y breath, o r displacement o f the d e v i c e , cause u n n e c e s s a r y concern a m o n g parents. A c c o r d i n g to a few p e d i a t r i c i a n s , it i s normal f o r babies t o stop b r e a t h i n g for a short t i m e every 2 0 seconds o r so a n d begin b r e a t h i n g again. S o a b r e a t h monitor w i t h pre-set a l a r m for 1 5 seconds m a y give f a l s e alarms.

3 . False s e n s e of s e c u r i t y :

T h e s e monitors c a n create a false s e n s e of s e c u r i t y . Obstructive a p n e a is a case w h e r e breathing m o v e m e n t s continue b u t oxygen i s prevented f r o m reaching t h e baby’s l u n g s due t o an o b s t r u c t i o n in t h e windpipe. T h e monitors c a n n o t detect t h i s condition. O t h e r body m o v e m e n t s unrelated t o breathing m a y prevent t h e alarm f r o m ringing w h e n it s h o u l d ideally d o .

I t is i m p o r t a n t to r e m e m b e r that m o n i t o r s are j u s t alarms a n d not l i f e – s a v i n g devices. T h e caretaker s h o u l d know h o w to r e s u s c i t a t e the b a b y after r e s p o n d i n g to a n alarm.

D e s p i t e the r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s by p u b l i c health a n d safety a g e n c i e s against t h e use o f monitors, m a n y users h a v e positive p e r s o n a l reviews. B a b y monitors a r e credible i n detecting s l e e p pattern a b n o r m a l i t i e s . If y o u want t o use o n e such d e v i c e for y o u r little o n e , use i t following a l l the s a f e sleep p r a c t i c e s outlined b y AAP a n d NIH f o r babies ( 4 ) .

W i t h so m a n y options a v a i l a b l e , all y o u need t o do i s to m a k e the r i g h t choice! B y purchasing a n affordable y e t functional b r e a t h i n g monitor, y o u can k e e p a t a b on y o u r newborn’s b r e a t h i n g patterns. D i d you b u y a b r e a t h i n g monitor f o r your l i t t l e one? W a s it h e l p f u l ? Share y o u r experiences h e r e , and l e t fellow m o m m i e s know w h y it i s important t o use!

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